Healing with PTSD is Not Linear

The Impact of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post-traumatic disorder (PTSD) is common after rape, affecting both children and adults. The Centers for Disease Control defines PTSD as an intense physical and emotional response to thoughts and reminders of the event that last for many weeks or months after the traumatic event.1 Although PTSD is common after experiencing many types of traumatic events, rape has the highest PTSD prevalence at 49%, compared to natural disasters at 3.8%.2 PTSD following rape often lasts for many months following the assault.3

Living with and healing from PTSD can be challenging. While healing is not linear and has no timeline, it is possible with the right support and resources.

Resources for survivors living with PTSD:

1"Coping with a Traumatic Event - CDC." https://www.cdc.gov/masstrauma/factsheets/public/coping.pdf. Accessed 30 Nov. 2022.

2"Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Statistics: 2022 Update - CFAH." 29 Oct. 2022, https://cfah.org/ptsd-statistics/. Accessed 30 Nov. 2022.

3"Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Statistics: 2022 Update - CFAH." 29 Oct. 2022, https://cfah.org/ptsd-statistics/. Accessed 30 Nov. 2022.

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