Anger may occur during or at any time after the assault. Like fear, it is expressed by nearly all survivors, although in many different ways. Anger may be directed toward everyone, or toward people with characteristics similar to those of the attacker. When directed outward and properly focused, anger is a healthy response to sexual assault. When misdirected, for instance, at people in one1s life who have no responsibility for the assault, or at one1s self, anger can be destructive or immobilizing.
Depression is a very common reaction to sexual assault.
People may feel badly about themselves or about those around them. Some cry all the time and some are not able to cry at all. Some feel tired all of the time, lose their appetites, or overeat. Some feel as though things are hopeless and will never improve. Shame is an almost universal reaction to sexual assault.