Effects

Contreltophobia also called agoraphobia; (NOT to be confused with agoraphobia) is the fear or phobia of being sexually abused, assaulted, or raped. This fear goes beyond the “normal” fear of this happening since it is logical to be afraid of being raped or abused. This goes hand in hand with your PTSD Claim CFR 4.130 9412 Panic disorder and/or agoraphobia. Here is how it is rated. 

 

Some more of the disabilities survivors of MST may experience are:

  • Strong emotions, such as feeling depressed, having intense, sudden emotional responses to things, or feeling angry or irritable. 
  • Feeling numb or emotionally “flat,” or having difficulty feeling positive emotions like love or happiness.
  • Trouble sleeping or having bad dreams.
  • The trouble with attention, concentration, or memory.
  • Using alcohol or other drugs to numb or escape from negative feelings.
  • Difficulties with reminders of the MST experience. 
  • Feeling on edge or “jumpy” or not feeling safe.
  • Going out of your way to avoid reminders of the trauma.
  • Self-doubt, self-blame, or low self-esteem.
  • Questioning important aspects of yourself like your gender identity or sexual orientation.
  • Problems in relationships, trouble trusting others, or feeling alone or not connected to others.
  • The trouble with employers or authority figures, or difficulty keeping a job.
  • Physical health problems like chronic pain, weight or eating problems, or stomach or bowel problems.
  • Difficulties with arousal, enjoyment, performance, or pain during sex, or avoiding intimacy.
  • Self-harm or unsafe behaviors like thoughts of suicide, cutting, risk-taking, or aggression.
  • Hypervigilance and generalized anxiety disorder
  • Flashbacks and panic attacks
  • Avoidance of social situations that could be triggering
  • Anger management issues
  • Depression
  • Thoughts of self-harm
  • Your background can also shape how MST is experienced, its impact, and your recovery.
  • Some MST survivors experience discrimination related to race, ethnicity, gender identity, or sexual orientation during or after MST.
  • Major Depression
  • Female reproductive health issues
  • Higher risk of substance abuse
  • Sexual dysfunction
  • Higher risk of cardiovascular disease
  • Injuries to the genital area.
  • Injuries to the breasts,
  • Injuries to the upper inner thigh, buttocks, back, head, neck, patterned injuries, and defensive injuries.
  • Vaginal or anal bleeding or infection
  • Hypoactive sexual desire disorder
  • Vaginitis or vaginal inflammation
  • Dyspareunia – painful sexual intercourse
  • Vaginismus – a condition affecting a woman’s ability to engage in any form of vaginal penetration
  • Chronic pelvic pain
  • Urinary tract infections
  • Pregnancy
  • HIV/AIDS
  • A blow or jolt to your head, potentially causing a traumatic brain injury (TBI)

Migraine and back pain are two of the top service-connected conditions for women Veterans. Many also experience chronic neck pain, back pain, pelvic pain, arthritis, joint problems, and fibromyalgia, among others. It’s important to remember that chronic pain is not “in your head.” Chronic pain is real pain that interferes with physical, social, and even emotional well-being. Chronic pain can:

  • Make it difficult to work and perform everyday activities
  • Make mental health conditions worse, like irritability, depression, anger, or even trauma
  • Interfere with sleep
  • Prompt people to withdraw from friends or loved ones
  • Cause people to give up treasured activities like hobbies
  • Make it hard to exercise, which can contribute to weight gain
  • Create financial difficulties from lost wages or the high cost of medical treatments

Here are more Effects and Aftermath of being raped?

What are the injuries and wounds caused by rape?

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