Rape or any type of sexual assault is devastating no matter the context. However, when put into the context of psychology, rape and sexual assault is especially heinous. Rape or sexual assault will practically affect every woman at least once in her lifetime, whether they are the victim or know a victim. This essay will discuss the many psychological impacts that rape and sexual assault result in, particularly touching on PTSD and the trauma associated. Numerous statistics and studies draw on the claim that rape and sexual assault are psychologically tormenting experiences that will impact the victim’s life forever.
The mental health impact of sexual trauma is undoubtedly a serious public health problem for women. Hopefully, with all the research that has been found, anyone who experiences the emotional aftermath of sexual trauma can recover in a way …show more content…
Survivors of childhood sexual trauma are at high risk of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). According to the American Psychiatric Association, the diagnostic criteria for PTSD include exposure to a traumatic event that invokes intense fear, helplessness, or horror and a range of symptoms, such as intruding memories or dreams of the event, persistent avoidance of all things associated with the trauma, numbing and lack of responsiveness, and increased alertness to perceived threats (Yuan). Other common PTSD symptoms include dissociation, hypervigilance, irritability and emotional outbursts. (World Health Organization, 2003) Also, women who reported childhood sexual abuse were five times more likely to be diagnosed with PTSD compared to nonvictims. Survivors are also more likely to suffer from depression, suicide, and other mental health problems. In one study, the rate of lifetime depression among childhood rape survivors was 52% compared to 27% among nonvictims
The mental health impact of sexual trauma is undoubtedly a serious public health problem for women. Hopefully, with all the research that has been found, anyone who experiences the emotional aftermath of sexual trauma can recover in a way …show more content…
Survivors of childhood sexual trauma are at high risk of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). According to the American Psychiatric Association, the diagnostic criteria for PTSD include exposure to a traumatic event that invokes intense fear, helplessness, or horror and a range of symptoms, such as intruding memories or dreams of the event, persistent avoidance of all things associated with the trauma, numbing and lack of responsiveness, and increased alertness to perceived threats (Yuan). Other common PTSD symptoms include dissociation, hypervigilance, irritability and emotional outbursts. (World Health Organization, 2003) Also, women who reported childhood sexual abuse were five times more likely to be diagnosed with PTSD compared to nonvictims. Survivors are also more likely to suffer from depression, suicide, and other mental health problems. In one study, the rate of lifetime depression among childhood rape survivors was 52% compared to 27% among nonvictims