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Acute response to rape‐ a PTSD variant
Author(s) -
Dahl Solveig
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
acta psychiatrica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.849
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1600-0447
pISSN - 0001-690X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0447.1989.tb05254.x
Subject(s) - shame , suicidal ideation , psychology , clinical psychology , psychiatry , fight or flight response , posttraumatic stress , injury prevention , poison control , medicine , medical emergency , social psychology , biochemistry , chemistry , gene
The relationship between the acute response to rape and the symptoms of Post‐ Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) was studied in 55 victims of rape and attempted rape during the first two weeks after the assault. The results show that in the majority of victims the reponse to rape within the first two weeks displays the symptoms of PTSD, although the criterion of duration is not fulfilled. Specific features of the response to rape, like shame, guilt and suicidal ideation are discussed. The importance of early detection to enable the administration of adequate treatment is emphasized and suggestions for further research are offered.