PTSD, Trauma & Rape

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, PTSD, can be defined as the symptoms associated with trauma, or a specific life experience, typically one that is life-threatening or involves a serious injury. However, trauma doesn’t always have to be a big ‘T,’ it can be any experience that, although it is done and over, it is still having an affect on a person. Trauma is the only thing that the body doesn’t repair on its own. When your body is physically harmed, whether it’s a cut on your arm or a broken finger, it heals over time. Your body doesn’t heal from trauma, which is why people have PTSD.

The brain encodes and stores traumatic experiences much differently than it does normal experiences. Usually after people experience or witness an event involving intense fear, helplessness or horror (such as rape, molestation, war, etc.), strong emotions emerge in the brain: some people become anxious, some become depressed, and many lose their focus or motivation. These emotions create changes in the brain. The resulting distress can last over a period of a few weeks to a few months. Some people find that the emotions eventually subside and they are able to function properly. Most, however, continue to be profoundly affected by the experience for many months or even years later, resulting in depression, anxiety, guilt, grief, shame, anger, resentments, low self esteem, etc.—all indications of PTSD. (See SYMPTOMS for complete details of the signs of PTSD.)

Statistically, approximately 7-8% of people in the United States will develop PTSD in their lifetime, with a higher occurrence in combat veterans and rape victims, ranging from 10% to as high as 30%.

While available statistics are only based on those who are clinically diagnosed, there are many more cases of PTSD which have not been reported or properly diagnosed. Experts believe that at any one time in the United States there are an estimated 5 million people who suffer from PTSD. Many people currently being treated for anxiety or depression may actually be suffering from PTSD. If diagnosed as PTSD and treated with an effective therapy method, these people could overcome those negative feelings and behavior and dramatically improve their lives.

There is a common misconception that trauma stays with you forever—this is NOT true! Specialists in trauma resolution have developed revolutionary methods that have proven to be highly effective in eliminating the underlying roots of trauma. These methods focus on replacing negative emotions with positive feelings, thus eliminating the pain. (See TREATMENTS for effective methods of treating PTSD)