When a person enters a relationship, they typically intend to connect and grow with that partner. Whether it leads to marriage, having children, or simply building a life together, it can be one of the most enriching things that a person experiences. Sadly, history has shown us the uglier sides of these partnerships and the consequences they can lead to when left unaddressed. Banyan Treatment Center Boca Raton, FL, looks at the connection between domestic violence and mental health.
How Violence Affects Us
No matter the context, becoming a victim of some form of violence can devastate a person’s physical and mental health. Depending on the extent of the harm caused, it can even change that individual’s worldview. Whether the perpetrator is someone they know or a stranger can also play a role in how that person processes what happened to them.
According to the United Nations, domestic abuse is defined as “a pattern of behavior in any relationship that is used to gain or maintain power and control over an intimate partner.”1 While this can also include mental and financial forms of abuse, violence comes with its own collection of challenges and struggles for the person that experiences it. Mental health and domestic violence often go hand-in-hand, while being a victim of such abuse can lead to serious consequences if not properly addressed.
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Mental Disorders Caused by Abuse
Domestic violence and mental health are often deeply connected, so much so that a person can develop a variety of disorders after leaving an abusive relationship. The disorder can affect a person for the rest of their life, especially if left unaddressed.
Common examples of these disorders include:
- Substance Use Disorders (SUD) – Many current or former victims of abuse will turn to substances like drugs or alcohol in order to These addictions can result in a dual diagnosis, making the recovery process more complex than for a single disorder.
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – PTSD from domestic abuse is one of the most commonly occurring consequences of these experiences. The individuals may struggle with flashbacks, distrust of others, and nightmares.
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) – As the name suggests, sufferers of this disorder will experience a consistent state of restlessness, irritability, and worry. Someone struggling with GAD will likely feel on edge a large amount of the time.
- Major Depressive Disorder – This disorder can leave people feeling a persistent sense of sadness, accentuated by a loss of interest in things they once enjoyed. Other symptoms include weight changes, hopelessness, or even thoughts of taking one’s own life.
If someone exhibits any of the above symptoms, it is worth seeking out Florida mental health services that can help them towards a stable condition. At Banyan Boca Raton, we treat a number of the disorders listed above.
Start the Healing Process With Our Palm Beach Rehab
Domestic violence is an abhorrent occurrence that far too many people are forced to endure. Our facilities seek to provide victims of this treatment with a chance at recovery, so they do not have to carry the chains of these experiences with them. We seek to relieve that burden through the implementation of effective therapies that promote healing and wellness, which are meant to last.
You do not have to face this alone. To learn more about the programs and support that we offer, call the specialists of Banyan Boca Mental Health at 888-280-4763.
Source:
- United Nations - What Is Domestic Abuse?
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