Post-traumatic stress disorder in female survivors of rape attending a genitourinary medicine clinic: a pilot study.
This study describes psychological symptomatology including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in 19 women attending a specialist sexual assault service within a genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic. Women were interviewed within one year post-rape (mean = 12 weeks) using standardized questionnaires for PTSD and other psychological symptomatology. Seventeen (89.5%) of 19 women met full criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD. Anxiety predominated amongst other psychological symptomatology. Suicidal ideation was reported by 8 women and one made a suicide attempt following the rape. Although it is acknowledged this is a small, select sample, the high level of psychological trauma found suggests that genitourinary medicine clinics providing for sexual assault require access to mental health professionals.
Petrak
J A
JA
Ambrose King Centre, Royal London Hospital, Whitechapel, UK. ambrose.king@dial.pipex.com
Campbell
E A
EA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008605:Mental Health Services; D008875:Middle Aged; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011902:Rape / Q000523:psychology*; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom