Trauma

Trauma can occur when someone experiences an act of violence over which they feel they have no control. It may be at the hands of another human being (for example, physical assault, sexual assault and domestic violence) or it may be the result of a catastrophic event (for example, a natural disaster).

Post Traumatic Stress

Post Traumatic Stress occurs when an individual is rendered helpless by an overwhelming force. These events generally involve threats to a person's life or physical safety. In the face of such trauma, a person experiences feelings of intense fear, helplessness and loss of control. The victim commonly feels powerless to stop the traumatic event.

Traumatic events can overwhelm the ordinary patterns of a person's life. One's usual sense of control, connection and meaning can be disrupted. Sexual assault may be such a traumatic event.

Types of Emotional Responses

Post Traumatic Stress from sexual assault affects every person differently. For some people, reactions to trauma may occur immediately, while for others symptoms may not develop for several weeks, months or even years after an event. For some people, the most severe symptoms have begun to subside within a few months, while for others they may continue over a long period.

While everyone's experience of trauma is different, people who have been sexually assaulted have often described some, or all, of the following reactions:

Shock

Feeling stunned or numb
Not being able to believe what has happened
Denial that the assault occurred as a way of protecting yourself from overwhelming feelings

Fear

Of another assault
Avoidance of anything associated with the traumatic event

Hyper-vigilance

Being always on the alert
Increased awareness of personal vulnerability
Difficulties with concentration

Anxiety

Physical symptoms may include shortness of breath, racing heartbeat, dizziness, dry mouth or sweating
Excessive worry
Constant thoughts and fears of future trauma

Panic Attacks

Extreme symptoms of anxiety (as indicated above)
Feeling helpless and immobilised by fear of dying

Anger

Towards those who caused or allowed the incident to happen
Outrage at others who don't seem to understand
At self

Disconnection

Feelings of detachment from others
Difficulties with relationships and intimacy
Mood swings and the feeling of being on an "emotional roller-coaster"
Inability to continue with normal everyday tasks

Shame and Self-Blame

Feeling helpless and emotional
Feeling that you may not have reacted as you would have hoped or thought you would
Feeling to blame for some aspects of the assault
Feeling ashamed about what the perpetrator did and said

Intrusive Memories and Feelings

Re-living or replaying the traumatic event repeatedly in the mind
Nightmares about the trauma
Disturbed sleep
Flashbacks of particular sensations, words and images
Re-activation of past trauma; for example, child abuse, loss and grief.



	Welcome About The Northern Sydney Sexual Assault Service Contact the Service How You Might Feel What Can You Do? Myths Trauma Medical Compensation Groups Family and Friends Links and Resources Admin Login	Trauma Trauma can occur when someone experiences an act of violence over which they feel they have no control. It may be at the hands of another human being (for example, physical assault, sexual assault and domestic violence) or it may be the result of a catastrophic event (for example, a natural disaster). Post Traumatic Stress Post Traumatic Stress occurs when an individual is rendered helpless by an overwhelming force. These events generally involve threats to a person's life or physical safety. In the face of such trauma, a person experiences feelings of intense fear, helplessness and loss of control. The victim commonly feels powerless to stop the traumatic event. Traumatic events can overwhelm the ordinary patterns of a person's life. One's usual sense of control, connection and meaning can be disrupted. Sexual assault may be such a traumatic event. Types of Emotional Responses Post Traumatic Stress from sexual assault affects every person differently. For some people, reactions to trauma may occur immediately, while for others symptoms may not develop for several weeks, months or even years after an event. For some people, the most severe symptoms have begun to subside within a few months, while for others they may continue over a long period. While everyone's experience of trauma is different, people who have been sexually assaulted have often described some, or all, of the following reactions: Shock Feeling stunned or numb Not being able to believe what has happened Denial that the assault occurred as a way of protecting yourself from overwhelming feelings Fear Of another assault Avoidance of anything associated with the traumatic event Hyper-vigilance Being always on the alert Increased awareness of personal vulnerability Difficulties with concentration Anxiety Physical symptoms may include shortness of breath, racing heartbeat, dizziness, dry mouth or sweating Excessive worry Constant thoughts and fears of future trauma Panic Attacks Extreme symptoms of anxiety (as indicated above) Feeling helpless and immobilised by fear of dying Anger Towards those who caused or allowed the incident to happen Outrage at others who don't seem to understand At self Disconnection Feelings of detachment from others Difficulties with relationships and intimacy Mood swings and the feeling of being on an "emotional roller-coaster" Inability to continue with normal everyday tasks Shame and Self-Blame Feeling helpless and emotional Feeling that you may not have reacted as you would have hoped or thought you would Feeling to blame for some aspects of the assault Feeling ashamed about what the perpetrator did and said Intrusive Memories and Feelings Re-living or replaying the traumatic event repeatedly in the mind Nightmares about the trauma Disturbed sleep Flashbacks of particular sensations, words and images Re-activation of past trauma; for example, child abuse, loss and grief.


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