Domestic abuse can have lasting psychological effects on both partners in the abusive relationship. Physical violence is one type of abuse, but partners can also be mentally and emotionally abused. Domestic abuse arises from one partner's need to dominate and control the other, according to HelpGuide.org. Abusers may use different techniques to assert control, including physical violence, fear, shame, guilt and threats made about loved ones. Either partner in a relationship can be the abuser, and there are many subtle forms of abuse that go unrecognized, such as financial and verbal abuse. All forms of abuse can lead to deep emotional and psychological scars.
Chronic Stress
Victims of all types of abuse may suffer from chronic stress. According to "Psychology Today," psychologists formerly attempted to label all signs of chronic stress following trauma and abuse as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder; however, recent research shows that a one-size-fits-all diagnosis doesn't work. People react differently to stress. While one may display increased aggression, another might display poor impulse control. However the stress manifests, victims of abuse experience chronic levels of stress resulting from ongoing psychological and emotional factors, including not feeling safe, being unable to self-soothe and decreased self-esteem.
Repeated Cycle of Abuse
Another psychological effect of abusive relationship victims is "an inability to free themselves from the abuse dynamic," according to "Psychology Today." The abused often enter into new abusive relationships, although not always as the victim. Abuse victims may also become abusers in an attempt to control their new relationships. According to the Recovery Man website, abusers are often survivors of abuse who act out feelings of inadequacy and shame. Other abuse victims subconsciously seek out abusive partners to reaffirm the distorted self-concept that arose during the original abuse.
Depression
A report on the website for "Psychology of Men and Masculinity" reports that partner abuse often results in depression for both men and women. However, the depression may manifest differently based on gender. Women are more likely to experience anxiety, difficulty sleeping and hypervigilance as a result of abuse-related depression. Men, on the other hand, are more likely to experience anger responses associated with depression, such as the need to protect themselves, the need for revenge and humiliation.
Psychosomatic Symptoms
Both men and women who have been abused may display psychosomatic symptoms, reports "Psychology of Men and Masculinity." The worse the abuse, the more pronounced and frequent the symptoms. According to the Medical News Today website, these symptoms may be caused by increased levels of anxiety. Psychosomatic symptoms are defined as physical symptoms that have a mental, emotional or psychological cause.
References
- HelpGuide.org: Domestic Violence and Abuse
- Psychology Today: The Effects of Prologned Psychological Trauma and Abuse; Brian Trappler M.D.
- Recovery-Man.Com: Abusive Relationships
- Psychology of Men and Masculinity: Psychological Effects of Partner Abuse Against Men: A Neglected Research Area; Denise A. Hines and Kathleen Malley-Morrison
- MedicalNewsToday.com: Anxiety and Psychosomatic Symproms: The German Experience
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