‘Domestic Violence Victims’

As a victim of Domestic Violence myself I am here for any of you reading this Blog if you need some advice from someone who’s been there or simply just a friendly ear to listen! 

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I went through around 5 years of D.V from my sons father who I was in a relationship with for 6 years of my life, he was very nice at the start probably even for the first year I’d say but then things took a turn for the worse and little did I know that I’d end up with my whole world turned upside down, my confidence taken away from me completely and I basically lost everything that was good in my life and the good part of who I was before I met him and what made the old happy me!

FOR ANYONE GOING THROUGH ANY FORM OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RIGHT NOW PLEASE PLEASE WALK AWAY BEFORE ITS EITHER TO LATE OR YOU REGRET STAYING FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE JUST LIKE I DO NOW THAT I CAN FINALLY SEE CLEARLY! OR IF YOU NEED SUPPORT IN DOING SO THEN AGAIN PLEASE PLEASE SEEK PROFESSIONAL HELP IN ORDER TO GET OUT BECAUSE AS A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SUFFERER TRUST ME IT DOESN’T GET ANY BETTER! THEY WILL HAVE THEIR GOOD DAYS BUT THE BAD WILL NEVER EVER STAY GONE!!!

Domestic violence is the willful intimidation, physical assault, battery, sexual assault, and/or other abusive behavior as part of a systematic pattern of power and control perpetrated by one intimate partner against another. It includes physical violence, sexual violence, psychological violence, and emotional abuse. The frequency and severity of domestic violence can vary dramatically; however, the one constant component of domestic violence is one partner’s consistent efforts to maintain power and control over the other.

Domestic violence is an epidemic affecting individuals in every community, regardless of age, economic status, sexual orientation, gender, race, religion, or nationality. It is often accompanied by emotionally abusive and controlling behavior that is only a fraction of a systematic pattern of dominance and control. Domestic violence can result in physical injury, psychological trauma, and in severe cases, even death. The devastating physical, emotional, and psychological consequences of domestic violence can cross generations and last a lifetime.

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Effects of Domestic Violence

Abuse can have a serious impact on the way a person thinks and interacts with the world around them.   The chronic exposure to domestic violence—and the stress fear resulting from this exposure—can cause not only immediate physical injury, but also mental shifts that occur as the mind attempts to process trauma or protect the body. Domestic violence affects one’s thoughts, feelings and behaviors and can significantly impact one’s mental stability. Increased anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and depression symptoms are commonly observed among survivors of domestic violence.

PTSD. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that is triggered by a terrifying event. Some common symptoms associated with PTSD are flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety and uncontrollable thoughts about the event. Many people who go through traumatic events have difficulty adjusting and coping for a while. But with time and support, such traumatic reactions usually get better.

Depression. Depression is more than common feelings of temporary sadness. Symptoms can include prolonged sadness, feelings of hopelessness, unexplained crying, changes in appetite with significant weight loss or gain, loss of energy or loss of interest and pleasure in activities previously enjoyed. Depression can affect a person’s outlook, which can lead to feelings of hopelessness. This, in turn, can impact his or her thought process and ability to make decisions.  In extreme cases of depression, people may even experience suicidal thoughts and/or attempts. If you or someone you know is feeling suicidal, refer them to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

Depression remains the most common symptom exhibited by survivors of domestic violence. According to a study done in 2000, 60 percent of battered women reported feeling sad or depressed for extended periods of time.