Cardiovascular system Stress leads to more rapid and forceful contractions. Blood pressure rises, and hypertension may occur if the stress is long term. Blood vessels constrict, which makes it harder for blood to reach body systems and provide the nourishment tissues and organs require. Stress also leads to the release of cholesterol into the bloodstream. This can lead to atherosclerotic plaque buildup in the coronary arteries, which increases the risk of a heart attack (Harvard Health, 2020). Research utilizing the Nurses’ Health Study II (NHS II), a longitudinal study of 115,000 adult female nurses that began in 1989, found that women who experienced sexual violence (sexual assault or sexual harassment) at some point over their lifetime were more likely to develop high blood pressure over a seven-year follow-up period. Women reporting a history of both sexual assault and sexual harassment had the highest risk of hypertension, pointing to Mental health issues related to stress The mental health effects of sexual harassment can be significant. The impact of ongoing stress can, and often does, trigger a variety of mental health issues, including three serious disorders – depression, flashbacks, and post- traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Depression One of the most common mental health problems associated with sexual harassment is depression. It is usual for survivors of sexual harassment (and other forms of sexual assault) to feel sad, unhappy, and even hopeless. However, if these feelings persist, they may indicate depression. Sexual harassment survivors need to know that depression is not a sign of weakness, nor is it something one can just “get over.” It is a serious mental health disorder, and persons experiencing depression frequently find that seeing a mental health professional is a significant help. Major depressive disorder is a “persistent sad mood lasting two weeks or longer” (Kennedy, 2022). It is characterized by extreme sadness accompanied by guilt, helplessness, hopelessness, poor concentration, sleep disturbances, lethargy, changes in appetite, and loss of ability to feel pleasure (Kennedy, 2022). Major depression can affect a person’s social, interpersonal, and career functioning. The feelings that accompany depression can inhibit the ability to focus at work, at home, and in social settings. Employers, friends, and family members may become frustrated with the person’s inability to function at the same level as they did before the harassment (Kennedy, 2022). Persons who suffer from major depression may feel that life is no longer worth living and are at risk for serious complications such as suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and completed suicide. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that in 2020, there were 45,979 people in the United States who died by suicide, which is the equivalent of one death every 11 minutes (CDC, 2022). For every person who completed suicide, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) estimates that 275 seriously considered suicide (SAMHSA, 2021). Approximately 50% of people who die by suicide have seen their primary care provider within the prior month, with only 20% seeking care from specialty mental health services (Dueweke & Bridges, 2018).
the potential compounding effects of multiple traumas on cardiovascular health (Lawn et al., 2022). Gastrointestinal system During the acute stage of stress, blood flow is diverted from the gastrointestinal system to muscles that need it as part of the flight-or-fight response. Digestion slows, intestinal blood vessels constrict, and peristalsis and intestinal tone decrease. Unrelieved or prolonged stress can lead to gastrointestinal problems such as ulcers or chronic constipation (American Psychological Association, 2018; Harvard Health, 2022; Plackett, 2021). Immune system Elevated adrenal hormonal levels during stress inhibit the body’s production of T lymphocytes, which are critical to the adequate response of the immune system. This can increase susceptibility to infection and other immune system–related diseases and disorders (Plackett, 2021). Flashbacks Those who have been sexually harassed often experience flashbacks, which are memories of the harassment that are so acute they believe the harassment is occurring now. During a flashback, it may be challenging to connect with reality. People may even feel as though the harasser is physically present. Flashbacks may occur in response to circumstances that trigger memories of sexual harassment. A smell, sound, tone of voice, or even the appearance of someone who resembles the harasser can provoke a flashback. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) PTSD is a trauma-related and stressor-related disorder. It can occur after experiencing or witnessing severe trauma such as sexual harassment. PTSD can range from mild to severe and affects all aspects of a person’s life (National Institute of Mental Health, 2022). There are three main characteristics of PTSD: ● Re-experiencing : During re-experiencing, people feel as though they are reliving the event via flashbacks, dreams, or intrusive thoughts. ● Avoidance: Avoidance is an intentional or subconscious behavior change to avoid circumstances associated with the traumatic event. ● Hyperarousal: Hyperarousal is a feeling of being on edge or alert to danger all the time. Persons in a state of hyperarousal have difficulty sleeping, are easily startled, and are prone to abrupt emotional outbursts. Additional mental health problems associated with sexual harassment Several additional problems can occur as a result of sexual harassment including: ● Self-harm: Self-harm is the deliberate harming of oneself or self-injury that occurs when a person inflicts physical harm on herself. ● Sexually transmitted infections (STIs): If the harassment includes physical contact, bacterial or viral STIs may be transmitted through vaginal, anal, or oral contact. Pregnancy may also be a concern if the harassment includes sexual activity. ● Substance abuse: Persons who have been sexually harassed may seek ways to feel better and escape dealing with the stress and impact of the trauma. ● Dissociation: Dissociation is detachment from reality and can range from mild—for example, daydreaming— to severe when it becomes chronic and makes it difficult to function at work, at home, or in social situations.
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