The consequences of being involved in an abusive relationship are numerous. Some of them include a lowered self-esteem, psychological disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder or depression, living in a constant state of fear, and physical harm. Psychotherapist Michael Formica points out in Psychology Today that most abusive relationships are rooted in fear and insecurity, the foundation for the dangerous consequences of being involved in this type of relationship.
Physical Harm
Not all abusive relationships involve physical abuse, but bodily harm or injury is perhaps the most obvious, dangerous and extreme consequence of an abusive relationship. Physical harm may include slapping or punching, which may not always cause observable symptoms such as bruising or broken bones. Throwing items or using them as weapons, pushing and physical restraint are also forms of abuse that can result in physical harm. Sexual abuse also falls under the category of physical harm, as forcing unwanted sex upon a partner can cause a number of physical and psychological symptoms.
Lowered Self-Esteem
Many people involved in an abusive relationship suffer from a sense of lowered self-esteem, whether it is the abuser or the victim. The abuser's lack of self-esteem and insecurities may initiate the abusive behavior. However, the victim may have unknowingly become attracted to the abuser because of her own low self-esteem. Subconscious signals are usually picked up on by both parties before the relationship enters serious phases of abuse. Name-calling, insults or putdowns may be the first signs of an abusive relationship and contribute to the lowering of one's self-esteem. Low self-esteem is one of the most common consequences of being involved in an abusive relationship; the Mayo Clinic points out that the longer one stays in an abusive relationship, the greater the damage to one's self-esteem.
Fear
Living in a constant state of fear takes a tremendous toll on one's psychological health. The dynamic of abusive relationships is maintained through the abuser's use of fear as a power tool. Formica points out that fear feeds insecurity in abusive relationships, which enables the abuser to maintain a sense of control over the victim. Fear can create a number of psychological symptoms, including depression or acute or post-traumatic stress disorders, which the National Institute of Mental Health defines as anxiety disorders that occur after living through a dangerous event.
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