Even though the world has progressed in various aspects, domestic violence against women is still a topic of concern in many households. Even though domestic violence happens against men as well, the number of female victims is much higher than that of men. Domestic abuse is bad, but the psychological effects on the victim that follow later can be worse.
Domestic abuse can influence the way people look at themselves, how they care for themselves, or how they interact with others. It affects various aspects of the victim’s life. If you are or have been a victim, speak to a Jersey City domestic violence lawyer to understand your legal rights. Meanwhile, continue reading to learn about the psychological effects of domestic violence.
The link between mental health and domestic violence
On average, more than half of the women in mental health clinics, hospitals, and other clinical settings have been abused by their partner or a family member. Most of these women experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression. When one goes through a traumatic experience, they has lasting effects on their cognition, memory, emotion, physical body, etc. These changes do not always get diagnosed in a psychological test, but they are there.
It is important to understand that someone’s mental health can be affected even when they do not experience PTSD, depression, or anxiety, or at least have not been diagnosed. Not everyone is impacted in the same way.
Moreover, whether someone will develop conditions like PTSD, anxiety, or depression after a traumatic or abusive event depends on several factors.
What is meant by “loss of agency”?
Loss of agency means the feeling of not being in control of your life, not being able to do something, or being incapable of having control over your life. This is a common experience among mental health patients and abuse victims. Loss of agency can further worsen your mental health condition. Trauma can cause survivors to feel that they cannot change the circumstances of their lives. They become out of touch with reality and their own needs.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of physical, mental, or emotional abuse by their intimate partners, it is important to know that you have certain legal rights. You can hire an attorney who can find the necessary evidence to prove your side of the story and build a strong case. You can have the chance to restart your life and stay far away from your abuser.
