Domestic Violence and Depression: What's the Connection? - Humor: a happier person! (2023)

• Mental disorder

Domestic violence is one of the most widespread social problems in the world. It contributes to various problems in society, lifestyle, physical health, family, children and even mental health. In fact, domestic violence and depression are very closely related.Statistics Sea, 35-70% of women exposed to domestic violence are diagnosed with depression later in life.

Laut den Centers for Disease Control, der National Survey of Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence (NISVS),Approximately 1 in 4 women and 1 in 10 men will experience sexual contact violence, physical violence and/or stalking by an intimate partner and report IPV-related effects at some point in their lives,

This article looks at the connection between domestic violence and depression, including how it affects mental and physical health, its different types, signs and symptoms, and how to help someone who may be experiencing it.

Understand domestic violence

Domestic violence, also known as intimate partner violence (IPV) or domestic abuse, is a pattern of destructive behavior characterized by the display of power and authority over an intimate partner through the intentional use of violence.This containsany kind of behavior that causes fear,to intimidate, terrorize, manipulate, hurt, humiliate, blame, hurt or hurt anyone.

Examples of domestic violence are:

• control
• intimidation
• Isolation
• Stalking
• insult and ridicule
• Obligation
• scream and curse
• financial abuse
• Exploitation of male/female privilege
• Neglect.

Impact of Domestic Violence

Family violence is a general term that encompasses all types of abusive behavior patterns that threaten the peaceful dynamics of a family. These include domestic violence,child abuse, intimate partner violence (IPV) and various other forms of abuse. According to many studies, domestic violence and mental health are strongly linked. witness or experiencetraumatic eventssuch as abuse and violence increases the likelihood of developing a long-term mental or physical illness.

About mental and physical health

Violence is one of the biggest causes of mental disorders. About 20% of domestic violence survivors report a recurrence of psychiatric disorders, such as Depression, generalized anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a broad spectrum of substance use disorders, and suicidal thoughts and suicide.

It appears that the purpose behind an abuser's abusive actions is their desire to assert authority by robbing the victim of their independence and self-esteem. This makes the victim feel more and more dependent on their abusive partner. Hence, they inadvertently seek your approval and pleasure in all facets of your personal life.

The link between domestic violence and depression along with various behavioral changes such as; low self-esteem, lack of self-confidence, trust issues, the constant need for approval, shame and guilt can become long-lasting problems and threaten the victim's health.

In addition, intimate partner violence can lead to various acute and chronic physical problems. Immediate physical problems include: serious injuries, cuts and bruises, unwanted pregnancy, broken bones, fatigue, trouble sleeping and eating disorders. In the long term, physical problems such as cardiovascular disease, STDs, migraines, irritable bowel syndrome, sexual dysfunction and fertility, and menstrual cramps can also occur.

Domestic Violence and Depression

Witnessing and enduring abuse is a deeply traumatic experience that can terrify its victims not just physically but psychologically as well. According to studies, people who have experienced traumatic events such as abuse and mistreatment are more prone to developing depression.

Intimate partner abuse can result in severe mental, emotional, and spiritual stress. Constant hitting and insults can damage self-confidence and plunge them into an endless abyss of shame and guilt; never feel like you're good enough for anything. This trauma can also affect the victim's daily life. It can lead to drastic changes in a person's attitude, such as Lack of motivation, absenteeism/poor performance at work and/or school, overwhelming anxiety and agitation in otherwise non-stressful situations, and even death in critical cases.

Reportedly, in order to cope with depression, victims often indulge in drug abuse and drug addiction. Around 35-70% of female victims of domestic violence are diagnosed with depression.

Domestic Violence and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Intimate partner violence can hurt a person both physically and emotionally. PTSD develops in response to very stressful and traumatic situations. When victims are exposed to extreme violence for long periods of time, they can develop post-traumatic stress disorder. PTSD reportedly affects all around50-75% of female victimsof intimate partner violence.

If not treated promptly, PTSD can severely impact victims' lives. One of the symptoms of PTSD is that the ordeal is relived over and over again in nightmares, flashbacks, and flashbacks, making it difficult for victims to overcome their fears.

Studies suggest that the likelihood of developing PTSD and the severity of PTSD symptoms as a result of domestic violence are highly dependent on the severity of the violence experienced by the victim.

types of domestic violence

The general public commonly identifies intimate partner violence simply as physical and sexual abuse. However, that is as far from the truth as it can get. Domestic violence is multifaceted. According to theDomestic Violence StatisticsCDC report that are most prevalent in society:

• Emotional or psychological abuse: This type of abuse seems to be the most common but least identified. Almost half of all women (48.4%) and half of all men (48.8%) in the United States have experienced at least one form of psychological abuse at the hands of an intimate partner.

• sexual violence:In the United States, an estimated 19.3% of women and 1.7% of men have been raped in their lifetime, while approximately 43.9% of women and 23.4% of men have had other experiencesforms of sexual violenceduring their life. More than half of the female victims said they had been abused by their intimate partners.

• physical violence:More than 30% of women and 25.7% of men reported being physically assaulted. This includes behaviors such as shoving, shoving, hitting, as well as serious advances that have resulted in injury.

• Stalking:Approximately 16.2% of adult women and 5.2% of men in the United States have experienced stalking at some point in their lives. Stalking victimization includes behaviors that cause the victim to fear for their safety without physical or sexual harassment.

Signs of domestic violence among perpetrators

As widespread as domestic violence is, it often goes unrecognized. Perhaps because some of these acts somehow made their way onto the list of behaviors that are not necessarily considered immoral. This applies in particular to psychological violence, which often goes unnoticed by the victim. One of the reasons raising awareness about violence is important is that perpetrators often use manipulation as a key weapon to disguise the abuse as a concern to keep the victim in control.

If you are unsure whether what you are experiencing really is intimate partner abuse, here are some of the top signs of domestic violence to look for in an intimate partner or spouse:

• They blame or threaten you and make you feel insignificant around them.
• You criticize your actions and beliefs.
• They yell or yell at you.
• they don't trust you
• They make you feel bad for doing things you love to do.
• They prevent you from seeing your friends and family.
• They keep you financially dependent on them. This is known as financial abuse.
• They physically attack you and try to hurt you; In addition to very violent advances, this also includes small aggressions such as shoving, shoving, scratching or hair pulling.
• They force you to have sex.
• They refuse to use birth control, nor will they let you get the same.

Signs that someone you know may be experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV).

Most victims of domestic violence tend to stay with their abusers. Many IPV cases are not even reported to the authorities out of fear. Knowing and recognizing exactly how a victim of domestic violence behaves can be beneficial in these cases. Not only can it help the victim to get to safety, but also help prevent many problems in society that arise due to domestic violence. Signs that someone is being abused include:

• They hide and lie about how they got their bruises and injuries.
• An abrupt change in personality, such as Self-esteem, security and trust issues.
• Prolonged absence from school or work without a valid reason.
• Constant worry about how your partner might react to certain things.
• Wear loose clothing or wear too much makeup to keep your bruises from showing.

What to do if you think someone is being abused

Cases of domestic violence often go unreported, and there are strong reasons why victims of domestic violence choose to remain in abusive relationships rather than leave them. Mainly it is because they are aware of the efforts their abusive partners will make to bring them back under their control, while some choose to endure the abuse for the sake of their children. Sometimes victims stay because they just don't have the courage to seek help on their own. If one can recognize the signs of abuse in such cases, much harm can be prevented. If you think someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, here are some ways you can help:

• If you suspect someone needs help, don't wait for them to ask for it. Instead, find the right time and talk to them.
• If you are unsure if a person is being abused, check their body language for signs of domestic violence.
• Gain their trust and let them know you are there to help.
• Offer emotional support.
• With their permission, offer to report their case to the authorities on their behalf.
• Offer to organize the necessary resources to get them out of their situation.
• Create a plan to follow in an emergency.

Last but not least, if something goes wrong, always be prepared to contact your local domestic violence hotline. If the victim's life is in imminent danger, call 911.

Domestic violence is common around the world, as is depression. Although it is reported in all genders, women are more likely to be affected. Fortunately, there are several ways to deal with domestic violence and depression. However, after the escape, professional help may be needed to allow victims to return to normal life and overcome the trauma.

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