Rape-related psychotraumatic syndromes.

OBJECTIVE

This study took place in a forensic center for rape victims. Our aims were: first, to explore the longitudinal course of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and prevalence of disorders over the 6-month period following rape, then second, to group these disorders into syndromes related to chronic PTSD whilst remaining distinct from it, and third, to establish some predictive factors for chronic PTSD.

STUDY DESIGN

92 rape victims consecutively admitted to the center were regularly interviewed over a 6-month period by a psychiatrist.

RESULTS

The paper confirms that rape leads to a high proportion of PTSD. Generally speaking, the psychopathology following rape is severe. PTSD at 6 months is associated with phobic and dissociative disorders. It is further associated with a cluster of symptoms arising after rape that we term borderline-like. Incestuous rape is a predictive factor for PTSD at 6 months.

CONCLUSION

In the aftermath of rape several semiologically distinct psychotraumatic syndromes exist.