When there is repeated and severe domestic abuse, the physical, mental, and emotional damage can last for a long time. In contrast to physical scars, mental health problems can be very painful and go unnoticed. Up to 61% of people who have been victims of domestic abuse and PTSD develop this dangerous disorder, which is tied to trauma.
To survive PTSD, you need to be aware of it and get help for it. If they don’t get help, the mental wounds from abuse could affect their health for a long time after the abuse stops. Those who have been through domestic abuse are twice as likely to feel hopeless and anxious. Making more people aware of the link between domestic abuse and PTSD helps victims get the help they need to get better.
Understanding Domestic Abuse And PTSD
PTSD takes time to develop. A tough response happens when fear, worry, and stress last long. People who have been abused at home often have PTSD because of the stress and fear they felt. Violence, abuse, and mental pain can all lead to PTSD, which makes people feel on edge or numb even when they are safe.
Abusive relationships hurt people deeply on a mental level. People who have been abused may have flashbacks, nightmares, or great fear. Most of the time, they don’t trust others, feel alone, or have low self-esteem. People who have been abused at home often live in “survival mode,” afraid that the abuse will happen again.
The Stages of PTSD
If you’re in a stressed situation, like being abused at home, you might develop PTSD. Knowing the stages of PTSD can help people who have it and their loved ones spot signs and get help. It takes five steps for someone who has PTSD to go through their emotional and mental journey.
Stage 1: Impact Stage
The first stage of PTSD is often marked by a reaction to shock and trauma right away. Survivors of a traumatic event often feel like they can’t believe what happened or are confused during this time. Survivors may feel emotionally numb during this time, which means they are cut off from their feelings and their surroundings.Â
A lot of people also feel intense fear, which makes them feel dangerous and open to attack. As survivors try to make sense of what happened, they often become confused, which makes them feel lost and unsure. During this stage, people may feel like they are stuck in time as they deal with the first effects of the trauma.
Stage 2: Denial/Recovery Stage
During the denial or recovery stage, trauma patients try to avoid thinking about the painful things that happened to them. This delay minimizes or denies abuse’s effects. Avoidance and suppression are frequent now. People who have experienced trauma may avoid discussing it in hopes of coping.Â
People often hide their thoughts as well, whether they are aware of it or not, so they can seem “normal” to the people around them. This stage might make you feel better for a short time, but it can get in the way of your long-term recovery by making it hard to process and heal from your pain.
Stage 3: Intrusive/Re-experiencing Stage
Survivors have flashbacks, dreams, or thoughts that come back to them during the intrusive or re-experiencing stage. Their lives and relationships can get a lot worse at this time. Survivors often have very clear memories of the horrible event.Â
Trauma-related dreams make people anxious and keep them up at night. Thoughts that come in at random can affect how you think about stress and other parts of your life. It’s hard for people who have been through these terrible events to live normal lives and have good relationships.
Stage 4: Avoidance/Numbing Stage
Survivors try to stay away from things that remind them of the stress at this time. There are many ways to avoid something. People who have been through trauma often stay away from things, people, and situations that remind them of the trauma.Â
People may also pull away from other people and conversation, showing that they are emotionally distant. Survivors may feel alone because no one knows how much pain and suffering they are going through.
Stage 5: Hyperarousal Stage
The final stage of PTSD is marked by a constant state of hyperarousal, where survivors experience heightened anxiety and vigilance. People are usually on high alert all the time because they think something bad is always close by.Â
It can be hard to concentrate or talk when you’re feeling this stressed. Stress can also make doing your job and hanging out with friends hard. During this time, survivors’ bodies are always on high alert, which makes it hard for them to heal.
Long-term Effects of Domestic Abuse and PTSD
Abuse in the home can leave mental and physical scars that last a lifetime and affect the lives of survivors. PTSD often happens after a traumatic event. Domestic abuse and PTSD, which causes intense fear, anxiety, and unwanted thoughts, affects a lot of people who have been through domestic abuse. Having been through trauma can affect your emotional and physical health for a long time.
Inpatient PTSD Treatment for Domestic Abuse Survivors
There are a lot of people who might need more help than what outpatient treatment can offer. Inpatient treatment for domestic abuse and PTSD gives people a safe and helpful place to focus on getting better.
Inpatient treatment programs allow patients to get away from their everyday lives and focus on getting better. This strict option can help people with severe PTSD symptoms that make it hard for them to do things.
How Inpatient PTSD Treatment Can Help Survivors Reclaim Their Lives
Therapy can be life-changing for domestic abuse survivors suffering from PTSD. Through therapy, survivors can:
- Therapy provides a structured way to confront and understand past abuse, allowing survivors to work through their feelings at their own pace.
- Therapists help survivors develop tools and techniques to manage anxiety, panic attacks, and other PTSD symptoms.
- Therapy focuses on reclaiming self-esteem, helping survivors rediscover their inner strength and resilience.
- Therapy also helps survivors recognize and establish healthy boundaries in future relationships, breaking the cycle of abuse.
Inpatient treatment centers for domestic abuse and PTSD offer a wide range of services, such as care 24 hours a day, group therapy, and one-on-one counseling. These centers are safe and organized places to heal deeply, away from the stresses of everyday life.
The Road to Recovery: Seeking Help for Domestic Abuse Survivors with PTSD
Surviving domestic abuse can leave deep emotional and psychological scars, often leading to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The journey to recovery for domestic abuse and PTSD can be overwhelming, but professional help offers a way forward.Â
PTSD is a serious mental health condition that many domestic abuse survivors face. Flashbacks, nightmares, anxiety, and emotional numbness are just some of the symptoms that can disrupt daily life. Without treatment, these symptoms may worsen over time, impacting relationships, careers, and overall well-being.
Final Words
PTSD is caused by domestic violence, and the mental wounds can be just as bad as the physical ones. But it is possible to heal. PTSD victims who have been victims of domestic abuse can get better with professional help.
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For the sake of survivors and society as a whole, the silence about domestic violence and mental health needs to end. No one should have to deal with fear or pain by themselves. With the right help, recovery and a life free of harm are possible.
Get in touch with Bright Point to begin your recovery. Our caring mental health workers can help you get your life back and get better. Contact us right away to find out about our domestic abuse and PTSD tools for people who have been abused at home.
