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 B-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. Copyright (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.