Am J Psychiatry 1986; 143:817-824
Copyright © 1986 by American Psychiatric Association
"Worse than death": psychodynamics of rape victims and the need for psychotherapy
DS Rose
Victims of rape routinely are acknowledged to need counseling but not
psychotherapy; if psychotherapy is provided, the major focus is on
preexisting psychopathology. The author examines these assumptions and
presents a different formulation based solely on an in-depth examination of
the many levels of the trauma. Case material reveals the typical symptoms,
conflicts, and defenses found in rape victims. The author makes
recommendations for psychotherapeutic technique, especially in regard to
difficulties in forming a therapeutic alliance.
