What actually is PTSD? Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is defined by Psychology Today as an anxiety disorder that may develop after exposure to a terrifying event or ordeal in which severe physical harm occurred or was threatened. Specifically today, we are talking about sexual assault PTSD.
You’re not alone. Not even close. It’s estimated that around 7.7 million American adults are affected by post-traumatic stress disorder. PTSD is more likely to develop in women than men. Psychology Today also suggests that PTSD may run in families.
Sexual assault numbers. From 1992-1993, the National Crime Victimization Survey estimates that around 500,000 sexual assaults occurred in the United States. Of those 500,000, about 30 percent were completed rapes and an additional 30 percent were attempted.
Sexual abuse in the military. It was reported that among veterans using VA health care, 23 percent of women reported sexual assault when in the military. Psychology Today found that 55 percent of women and 38 percent of men have experienced sexual harassment when in the military.
Reported rate. Around 30 percent to 65 percent of rape survivors are reported as experiencing PTSD, depending how and when the PTSD symptoms are assessed, according to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VAWNET.org).
Male sexual assault. According to the VAWNET.org, at least 10 percent of men in our country have suffered from trauma as a result of sexual assault. The symptoms that affect men are similar to those that affect women.
Symptoms. Sexual assault PTSD can lead to a variety of symptoms, for example emotional disorders such as depression, substance abuse, and risk taking behavior.
It varies. Many are reported as feeling a sense of shock, confusion, anxiety, or mental numbness. Some have experienced a feeling of denial. The way the symptoms manifest themselves in the survivor vary.
Women’s symptoms. According to the National Online Resource Center on Violence Against Women, “research has shown that symptom levels of victimized women, although they significantly improved over time, remained elevated for at least two years following a rape compared to women who have never been sexually traumatized.”
Other symptoms. Some of the PTSD symptoms include emotional detachment, flashbacks, and sleeping problems. Survivors can also experience negative changes in thought and feelings and difficulty sleeping and concentrating, jumpiness, and irritability.
Risk factors. VAWNET.org reports that “divorce and exposure to adverse childhood environments and histories of depression and alcohol abuse have also been shown to exacerbate the impact of adulthood sexual trauma.”
The National Center for PTSD states that in a study amongst women who were raped, almost all (94 out of 100) women experienced the aforementioned symptoms during the two weeks immediately following the attack. Nine months later, 30 out of those original 100 women were still experiencing the same symptoms.
Complex PTSD. There is a different form of PTSD called Complex PTSD, which is found amongst individuals who have been exposed to prolonged traumatic circumstances such as childhood sexual abuse. Psychology Today reports, “research shows that many brain and hormonal changes may occur as a result of early, prolonged trauma, and contribute to trouble with learning, memory, and regulating emotions.”
What will happen? A number of behavioral difficulties can develop, for example, eating disorders, impulsivity, aggression, inappropriate sexual behavior, and alcohol or drug abuse.
Regulating emotions. There may also be issues with intense rage, depression or panic, in addition to mental difficulties. Psychology Today listed scattered thoughts, dissociation, and amnesia as a few.
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