Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is frequently associated with members of the military that lived through one traumatic event or endured a series of traumatic events over the course of several years. However, PTSD also negatively impacts the quality of life experienced by the victims of a violent crime like sexual assault. A study published in Trauma, Violence & Abuse demonstrated more than 80 percent of all victims of sexual assault reported developing PTSD symptoms around one week after falling victim to the violent crime.
The destructive symptoms of PTSD include physical trauma-related symptoms such as insomnia, chronic fatigue, migraine headaches, and injuries sustained at different areas of the body. Recurring nightmares contribute to the development of emotional distress issues like fear and anxiety, which can last for the rest of a victim’s life. The development of acute fear and anxiety can become severe enough to cause a victim to refuse to leave the comfort of home for any reason. Guilt destroys a victim’s ability to make sound decisions because of a dramatic loss of confidence.
If you endured a sexual assault, one of the sexual assault lawyers in Pittsburgh from Morgan and Morgan will ask you to undergo an examination to discover whether you suffer from the debilitating symptoms of PTSD.