Global statistics It is estimated that one in six women will experience sexual assault during her lifetime. These figures usually are not only high but in addition very alarming, as sexual assault is a really traumatic experience for anyone.
gave Psychological consequences of sexual assaultsimilar to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety and depression, are well-known. But most individuals know little about sexual violence. It can also affect a person’s physical health. – Sometimes for months or years to return.
Current research on this area has focused most of its attention. Pelvic pain, Gastrointestinal problemsor Short-term pain In the months following the attack.
But as we found In our recent studysurvivors of sexual assault often experience persistent physical symptoms throughout the body for years after the assault or assault.
These symptoms come under what physicians call Functional somatic disorders. These are conditions with persistent physical symptoms that usually are not fully explained by other medical or mental health conditions. And they could cause significant distress and seriously affect an individual’s day by day life. These include conditions similar to fibromyalgia, ME/CFS (myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome), and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Hidden trauma
As a part of us Recent researchwe used data from a big Danish health study that followed hundreds of adults over several years, finding how lots of them had a functional somatic disorder at a given time, and what number of would develop a functional somatic disorder over time.
What we present in our study was that individuals who had experienced sexual assault were 69 percent more prone to report or develop ongoing physical health problems than those that had not experienced sexual violence.
Sexual assault survivors in our data were six times more prone to develop more widespread health problems (meaning many persistent and distressing symptoms affecting different parts of the body).
Overall, survivors reported more symptoms. And these symptoms were often more severe and affected multiple parts of the body.
Results from us First study It also found that the more severe the attack, the greater the danger of developing long-term physical health problems.
Pixels Paulina Zimmerman, CC BY
In our research we also found that sexual abuse has a very strong impact in comparison with other types of abuse, similar to emotional and physical abuse. This might be because sexual violence may be activated. Several stress-related systems In the body
Sexual trauma can Disruption of emotional regulation And keep the body in a state of physical alertness for a very long time. Over time, this will make it difficult to regulate pain and other physical sensations. Trauma also can occur. Increase sensitivity In the nervous system, due to this fact, signals which are normally dimmed can as a substitute be amplified. For some, it looks as if it might probably and does enter after that. Contribution to the development of functional somatic disorders.
Long lasting effect
As our recent research shows, sexual assault isn’t only a deeply traumatic experience for anyone. But it’s also a very important public health issue. with potential long-term consequences for an individual’s mental and physical health.
Indeed, these findings suggest that some individuals with unexplained pain or persistent somatic symptoms could have a hidden history of trauma. Even in the event that they don’t disclose these experiences on to the doctor.
It is obvious then that the connection between sexual trauma and physical symptoms must be increasingly recognized throughout the medical system. For example, in sexual assault referral centers, professionals can educate sexual assault survivors about the potential for long-term physical symptoms in addition to psychological symptoms.
It may also help normalize one’s experience of sexual violence. It also can help reduce embarrassment and be sure that treatment covers the total scope of the trauma’s effects.
pexels/yankrukov, CC BY
On a broader level, sexual assault needs to be considered a major risk factor for each mental and physical health problems. And more have to be done to coach doctors and nurses in all areas of health care in regards to the hidden health risks of sexual assault and rape.
Indeed, increasing awareness and improving understanding will result in more validation of survivors’ experiences and greater trust within the health care system for patients.
This is essential because helping someone after sexual violence means greater than just treatment – ​​it means care that understands the trauma and provides survivors the support they actually need.