Physical and Psychological Effects of Being Raped or Sexually Assaulted - Physical Effects of Being Raped

Written by Lis

Suicide

What it is:

Most often caused by depression, suicide is a successful attempt to take one's life.

Warning Signs:

• Depression - feeling hopeless, helpless, worthless.
• Talking about or being obsessed with death and/or suicide.
• Loss of interest in things previously considered important.
• A sudden change in attitude. Suddenly happier or calmer.
• Suddenly visiting people one cares about.
• Giving things away and/or putting affairs in order.

What to do:

If you believe you are suicidal, talk to a friend you trust, tell a counselor, call RAINN at 1-800-656-HOPE or a suicide hotline in your area (you can find their number in the phone book).

Everything you want to know about Suicide.

Depression

What it is:

Depression is an illness which manifests itself as severe or prolonged sadness which interferes with a person's daily life and their ability to feel happy. People suffering from depression often feel worthless and lose their will to live. Depression is the number one cause of suicide.

Warning Signs:

• Intense feelings of sadness, hopelessness, worthlessness, or anxiety.
• Loss of energy. Feeling tired all the time.
• Thoughts about death and suicide.
• Decreased -- or increased -- sleeping or appetite.
• Difficulty in concentrating or indecisiveness.
• Mood swings.
• Extreme irritability.
• Impulsiveness that results in negative consequences.

What to do:

The symptoms of depression are treated with prescription drugs such as Paxil, Zoloft or Prozac. However, it is also important to seek counseling to treat the underlying cause of the depression.

HealthyPlace.com Depression Community.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

What it is:

PTSD is an anxiety disorder brought on by an extremely traumatic psychological event (e.g. rape).

Warning Signs:

• Flashbacks.
• Nightmares.
• Anxiety and/or Depression.
• Sudden aggressive behavior.
• Feelings of guilt.
• Social withdrawal.

What to do:

The symptoms of PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) can be treated with an anti-depressant and there are also many therapies available that have had success with treating PTSD. The best thing to do is to find a counselor.

HealthyPlace.com information on PTSD.

Dissociative Identity Disorder

What it is:

A survival mechanism, Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) occurs when extreme trauma causes a person to compartmentalize their pain, thereby creating multiple personalities. The onset of this disorder is in childhood, usually from ages three to nine, because it is still possible for them to break their developing "self" into multiple personalities.

Warning Signs:

• Inability to recall important personal information.
• Impaired social functioning.
• Assumption of a new identity.
• Loss of time.

What to do:

Therapy is required to treat the symptoms of DID.

Extensive information on Dissociative Identity Disorder.

If you have been raped or sexually assaulted, it's important to get professional treatment.

next: Who is To Blame?