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Long-term health
Everyone's experience of rape and sexual assault is different. People respond differently to traumatic events and come to terms with them differently. Some people recover quickly. For others, there can be long-lasting physical and emotional effects and these are briefly described below. They are a natural response to what has happened and there are things you can do to feel better.
If you are concerned about any of these things, you do not have to cope on your own. You can make an appointment with your GP to explain how you are feeling or you can contact any of the agencies listed in section 4. They will be able to give you more information and also tell you about services in your area which have helped other people going through the same thing. You can talk to them in private.
If you have been sexually abused as a child, the effects of a recent sexual assault may be particularly distressing. You may be more likely to suffer post-traumatic stress and symptoms such as flashbacks or panic attacks (see below). This is a natural reaction and is not a sign of weakness. It is important that you receive good help and support. You can contact agencies listed in section 4 or see www.survivorscotland.org.uk
Physical symptoms
These can include a whole range of problems such as lower abdominal pain and lower back pain, headaches, difficulty in defecating and bowel disorders and (for women) gynaecological problems. These can be linked directly to physical injury from an assault, the memory of the injury and can also be associated with health problems such as stress and depression.
Depression
This is a common reaction to being raped and sexually assaulted. Feelings of anger, self-blame, sleeplessness, lack of energy and low mood are a natural response to an assault. You have every right to feel this way. It may help to talk to someone about how you are feeling; to express strong feelings such as anger through exercise; and to take the time to look after yourself. But if these feelings continue without getting better, you may benefit from extra help such as counselling, therapy or medication.
Panic attacks
Panic attacks are a normal response to stress. But they are disturbing and unpleasant. The body acts as if it has had a bad fright but there is no obvious cause. This means you feel dizzy, short of breath, sick, your heart beats fast and you sweat and shake. This can be very alarming and make you feel frightened of panic attacks. They tend to happen when you are stressed or if you are in a situation which reminds you of the rape or sexual assault. They might happen when you talk about the assault. You cannot stop them from happening but there are things you can do to control them or reduce the impact they have on you. See www.mind.org.uk
Flashbacks
Flashbacks are a memory of a frightening or painful experience. They are a normal response to what you have experienced. They are not like an ordinary memory but more a sudden and unexpected intrusion. You may feel as if you are reliving the event and it can feel almost as real. They can happen at any time, anywhere and often occur without warning, even when you are feeling OK. They can be triggered by anything that reminds you of what you experienced such as someone who resembles the attacker, a smell, a taste or a sound. They take different forms: visual (you may see an image); auditory (you may hear voices); sensory (you may feel like you are being touched). They can last from a split second to several days. You cannot stop them from happening but there may be things you can do to make them easier to get through. To find out what see www.rapecrisisscotland.org.uk
Eating difficulties
Some people develop eating difficulties which may take the form of compulsive eating, anorexia and/or bulimia. These affect women and men and may be a response to oral assault and to feelings of self-blame, self-hate and the need to be in control.
Self-harm/self-injury
Some people harm themselves to relieve emotional distress.
This can take many forms including cutting, burning, throwing themselves against things and overdosing. Physical pain is often easier to cope with than emotional pain and self-harm can make people feel temporarily relieved and calm. It is not an attempt to die. It is a way of coping with intense feelings. There are things you can do to minimise any harm. To find out what see www.rapecrisisscotland.org.uk
Drugs/alcohol/cigarettes
Some people drink too much or become dependent on other substances to help them relax or to forget about the assault. This can lead to a whole range of other problems with health, money and the people around you.
Suicidal feelings
Suicidal feelings are a natural response to fear, guilt, anger and flashbacks. Suicidal feelings are frightening and when you feel overwhelmed by everything, it is often the hardest time to ask for help. If you feel this way, contact one of the agencies in section 4 for help.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ( PTSD)
PTSD is the name given to a collection of symptoms which may develop in people who have suffered severe trauma. Many victims of crime experience PTSD. But they are less likely to develop these symptoms if they get good support early on. Symptoms of PTSD include chronic anxiety and depression, sleeping disorders and nightmares, constant flashbacks and intrusive thoughts about the assault, and prolonged feelings of detachment from self and others. PTSD is complicated and having any of the above symptoms does not mean you have PTSD.
Further information
The support agencies listed in section 4 can give you further information on the above. You can also speak to your GP or see online at www.nhs24.com
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