Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an intense emotional  and psychological response to an event that was very disturbing or stressful  (traumatic). It can develop after a person has experienced or witnessed a  traumatic event, such as rape, assault, natural disaster, accident, war,  torture, or death. PTSD may occur immediately following a traumatic event or may develop months or even years later.

Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder may include:

• Persistent and painful reexperiencing of the event through dreams (nightmares) or while awake (flashbacks).
• Emotional numbness (an inability to feel or express emotions toward family, friends, and loved ones).
• Avoiding any reminders of the event.
• Being easily angered or aroused, "on edge," or easily startled (hyperarousal).

Counseling and medications (such as antidepressants and antianxiety medications) can be helpful for people with post-traumatic stress disorder.
                                       
Recovery Takes Time
Survivors recover in stages. They may start with one stage, go to another then go back. Each person processes the event his or her own way.               

Here are stages a survivor may go through:
 1. Denial that the rape had any effect on their lives.
 2. Fear it will happen again.
 3. Feel sad because of a loss of their ability to trust in people or places.
 4. Anger at what happened
 5. Anxiety over the nightmares or flashbacks that may intrude on the
     life of the survivor.
 6. Feel as if a part of themselves died during the rape attack. 

 Survivors are not to blame for the crime committed against them by another person.
 We cannot control the action of another person. 

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