Psychological Effects of Spousal Abuse

By Jennifer DeDonato, eHow Contributor

Abused spouses often feel sadness, instability and shame.In addition to obvious physical pain, there are numerous psychological effects of spousal abuse that are mentally and emotionally damaging. Victims are often dependent on their abusers and lose all sense of self-awareness or empowerment.

 Psychological Abuse Depression In the 2000 edition of "Trauma, Violence, and Abuse," O.B. Barnett reports that 60 percent of battered women are depressed, a much higher average than non-abused women.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Abused spouses may suffer from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) during abusive relationships or even after they have gained physical freedom from their abuser. Symptoms of PTSD include nightmares, flashbacks, anxiety and avoidance of situations that might trigger memories of abuse.Sponsored LinksDisorder Classifications

Fluency for Coding Provides All Known Classifications of ICD 10icd10.mmodal.comSelf-EsteemMany victims of domestic violence suffer from low self-esteem; the October 2003 issue of "American Journal of Orthopsychiatry" states that continuous abuse can erode whatever positive feelings the victim has about herself.Guilt and ShameThe Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence reports that victims often feel guilty that the relationship is violent and can even blame themselves for the abuse; they might also feel too much shame or embarrassment to seek help.

Parenting Children who are witnesses to abusive marriages can suffer from aggression, emotional problems, sleep disorders such as insomnia or bed wetting, and anxiety; they are also more likely to end up in abusive relationships themselves, either as the abuser or the victim.

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A Deep and Abiding Trauma For many victims of spouse abuse, the experiences cause severe trauma. Victims are likely to feel guilt, shame, low self-esteem, and a conviction that they have somehow deserved their own damage or humiliation. Many feel a split sense of obligation, with their commitment to their abusive spouse overriding their original commitment to their own health and well-being.

Even after leaving an abusing situation, the patterns that develop almost instantly when abuse is present linger on.While some victims prove resilient, with unexpected emotional resources that allow them to rebound from abuse in surprising and healthy ways, the truth is that most victims suffer one form of dysfunctional reaction or another. This isn’t due to weakness, but due to the unnatural demands the abuse places on the victim. The intersection of love, need, hope, fear, anger, obligation, dedication – this entire tumble and more blend and jar against each other, often triggering reactions that are understandable but not very useful to the victim.As a result, spouse abuse is a major reason for entering some form of counseling. The help of a trained, skilled counselor specializing in helping a victim deal with the many reactions and fears abuse causes can do much to improve the outcome for men and women who have faced spousal abuse.Read the Full Page: Spouse Abuse – Treatment For All – Overcoming Abusive Tendencies AllAboutCounseling.com