Rape Trauma Syndrome

Acute Phase: This phase occurs immediately after the assault. 它可能持续几天到几周。 During this stage victims may …

• Seem agitated or hysterical OR completely calm (a sign they are in shock)
• Have crying spells and anxiety attacks
• Have difficulty concentrating, making decisions, and doing simple, everyday tasks
• Show little emotion, acting numb or stunned
• Have poor recall of the rape or other memories

Outward Adjustment Phase:  During this phase victims appear to resume their “normal” life. Inside, however, the inner turmoil from the trauma is unresolved and can be manifested by any and/or all of the following behaviors …

• Continuing or heightened anxiety
• Sense of helplessness
• Persistent or worsening fear and/or depression
• Severe mood swings (e.g. happy to angry in a matter of seconds)
• Vivid dreams, recurrent nightmares, insomnia
• Physical ailments (body memories surfacing?)
• Appetite disturbances (e.g. nausea, vomiting, compulsive eating)
• Efforts to deny the assault ever took place and/or to minimize its impact
• Withdrawal from friends and/or family
• Preoccupation with personal safety
• Reluctance to leave the house and/or go places which remind the victim of the rape
• Hesitation/fear about forming new relationships with people that reminds them of their perpetrator (e.g. same gender, body build, coloring, etc.)
• Sexual problems
• Disruption of normal everyday routines (e.g. academic problems, high absenteeism at work and school, etc.)
• Dissociation – appears to be “daydreaming” and doesn’t track or remember well

Resolution Phase:  During this phase the rape is no longer the central focus in victims’ lives.

• While not forgetting the assault, the pain and memories associated with it are lessening
• The rape is integrated into identity and life experiences. Becomes part of their narrative.
• Some behaviors from the Outward Adjustment Phase may surface, but they do so with less frequency and intensity
• Moves experientially from being a “victim” to a “survivor”