Difference between revisions of "Cope With Rape Related Post Traumatic Stress Disorder"
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Rape is a traumatic experience. If you are a rape survivor, you are undoubtedly dealing with a wide range of terrible after-effects. Many rape victims suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. This can bring a lot of scary emotions and even physical side-effects. If you are coping with this, know that you are not alone. There are several steps you can take to help yourself heal from this traumatic experience. | Rape is a traumatic experience. If you are a rape survivor, you are undoubtedly dealing with a wide range of terrible after-effects. Many rape victims suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. This can bring a lot of scary emotions and even physical side-effects. If you are coping with this, know that you are not alone. There are several steps you can take to help yourself heal from this traumatic experience. | ||
| − | [[Category:Healing from Sexual Assault]] | + | [[Category: Healing from Sexual Assault]] |
== Steps == | == Steps == | ||
===Dealing With Common PTSD Symptoms=== | ===Dealing With Common PTSD Symptoms=== | ||
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#Seek help from a therapist. Overcoming PTSD will take time and the help of a licensed mental health professional. Tell your doctor that you would like to seek therapy for your PTSD and ask for a referral to a therapist in your area.<ref name="rf3">http://www.aaets.org/article178.htm</ref> | #Seek help from a therapist. Overcoming PTSD will take time and the help of a licensed mental health professional. Tell your doctor that you would like to seek therapy for your PTSD and ask for a referral to a therapist in your area.<ref name="rf3">http://www.aaets.org/article178.htm</ref> | ||
#*Your therapist may use something called cognitive behavior therapy to help you. Cognitive behavior therapy can help to change the way that you think, which may reduce instances of re-experiencing the rape, such as in the form of [[Stop-Obsessing-over-Disturbing-Thoughts|intrusive thoughts]]. | #*Your therapist may use something called cognitive behavior therapy to help you. Cognitive behavior therapy can help to change the way that you think, which may reduce instances of re-experiencing the rape, such as in the form of [[Stop-Obsessing-over-Disturbing-Thoughts|intrusive thoughts]]. | ||
| − | #*Your therapist may also use exposure therapy to reduce the effects of your triggers. This involves exposing you to your triggers in a progressive way. Each time you are exposed to one of your triggers, you will use a relaxation technique to calm yourself down, such as [[Breathe Deeply|deep breathing]], [[Do | + | #*Your therapist may also use exposure therapy to reduce the effects of your triggers. This involves exposing you to your triggers in a progressive way. Each time you are exposed to one of your triggers, you will use a relaxation technique to calm yourself down, such as [[Breathe Deeply|deep breathing]], [[Do Yoga for Absolute Beginners|yoga]] or [[Meditate|meditation]]. Over time, your triggers should begin to affect you less and less. |
#Resist the urge to ignore your emotions. You have gone through a traumatic experience. It is common for rape survivors to use avoidance behaviors to cope. However, using avoidance can affect the way that you experience other emotions as well, such as sadness, joy, anger, etc.<ref name="rf3" /> | #Resist the urge to ignore your emotions. You have gone through a traumatic experience. It is common for rape survivors to use avoidance behaviors to cope. However, using avoidance can affect the way that you experience other emotions as well, such as sadness, joy, anger, etc.<ref name="rf3" /> | ||
#*Allow yourself to feel a wide range of emotions. It is normal to experience sadness, fear, grief, guilt, and anger. | #*Allow yourself to feel a wide range of emotions. It is normal to experience sadness, fear, grief, guilt, and anger. | ||
