Copacabana Rape: Trauma & Brain Effects Explained

There are 20 symptoms, divided into four categories. First, the intrusive memories, which come as nightmares, invasive thoughts or flash-backs with sensory details — the person feels the pain of rape in their body. Second, avoidance: the victim avoids places, people or smells, such as alcohol, that remind them of the event, which leads to isolation. Third, changes in mood and cognition, such as unfounded guilt, inability to feel joy, and gaps in memory. Finally, the victim becomes frightened by any stimulus that appears, sleeps poorly, becomes irritable, may have outbursts of anger or self-destructive behaviors, such as drinking or using substances to numb the pain.