Abuse is a touchy subject for many to speak about, especially if you or someone close to you have ever been abused.
There are nearly 5.3 million incidents of domestic violence that occur annually in the United States, among these victims are women 18 years and older.
Battered women are women that experience injury from the abuse.
The average number of physical assaults of a battered woman has been nationally calculated 7 times in one year from the same partner, and battered men about 4 times a year.
Physical abuse and its impact
Well, the short term effects of physical violence are quite obvious. You may get bruises, cuts, or even broken bones. It depends on how intense the attack is. If not treated in time, these injuries may turn into infections.
Here it becomes adverse.
Infections may sound simple, but in reality, they’re far more dangerous.
The long-term effects of physical abuse may include but not limited to:
- Arthritis
- Heart diseases
- Hypertension
- HIV or STDs
- Chronic pain syndrome
- Diabetes
- Weight loss
- Insomnia
- Weakened immune system
Some facts about abuse
If you struggle to recognize any form of abuse, you might fail to acknowledge your own situation.
Every now and then, it’s better to assess your relationship with the people around you.
If you ever feel that you’re being abused, look for the signs.
What are the obvious signs you need to be aware of:
- Most violent incidents happen behind closed doors.
- Abusers deny their wrongdoings.
- They play the victim game.
- They might try to manipulate you into thinking that you’re the real problem.
- In most of the cases, verbal abuse precedes violence.
- Abusers usually are entitled, jealous, and possessive.
- They may also abuse drugs and alcohol frequently. Substance abuse can cause a person to act irrationally
- They’re very sensitive and sometimes act in aggression for no identified reason
Trauma and Mental Health
People who physically abuse others will often attempt to hide or disguise the marks that they leave on their victims.
These marks are more than skin deep however.
The lasting effects of physical abuse can lead to lifelong fear and anxiety in the victim.
However, being abused does make it much more likely that one or more psychological or medical illnesses will occur.
Victimized people commonly develop emotional or psychological problems secondary to their abuse, including anxiety disorders and various forms of depression.
They may develop substance abuse disorders.
Source: rawpixel.com.
Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse is the sexual exploitation of another person.
I’ve been abused mentally, physically, emotionally and sexually in my younger twenties.
I always blamed myself for not speaking out and getting the help I needed at the time.
I carried a burden of being mentally drained and living in fear every day of my life.
I continuously told myself this was in my head and I wasn’t being abused.
The saddest part of me looking back and remembering is that my closest family and friends seemed like it wasn’t a big deal nor I felt that anyone believed me.
I can relate to the understanding of not making time for therapy or reaching out for help.
If you feel embarrassed, DONT! Ashamed, DONT! Scared, DONT!
Therapy
Rebuilding self-esteem is a common goal in therapy. Most forms of abuse can break one’s confidence. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help you challenge unrealistic expectations of yourself.
Narrative therapy can allow you to reframe your identity outside of your victimhood. Experiential techniques such as art therapy can also boost confidence. If you or someone you may know fell victim to abuse please reach out for support, in closing abuse doesn’t have to happen over and over again, it only takes 1 time!
This post was written by Lauren K., and published by Convenient Counseling Services.
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