Effects of Abuse
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Domestic Violence Problems
Domestic Violence Is a Bigger Problem Than We Realize Domestic violence is a bigger problem than we realized because it affects not only the abused person but that person’s entire social system (family, friends, colleagues, children, economy, etc.). We cannot afford to consider domestic violence as “just a family affair” like in the past. The disease of…
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Diagnosing PTSD with the DSM-5
Criteria Clusters in Diagnosing PTSD The DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition), tells us there are eight criteria for diagnosing PTSD. The three criteria that must be present for a PTSD diagnosis are: Diagnosing PTSD Criterion Cluster 1 Exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence in one…
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What to Do If Codependency Made You Manipulative Too
Hello everyone, this week I’ve thought about the “mess” codependent behavior causes in our hearts and minds. It’s so confusing to live in abuse, confusing when you want to leave it, and confusing once you are free. Confusion causes us to act unlike ourselves, distrust ourselves, and try to manipulate for the greater good (which…
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I Didn’t Know It Was Abuse
One morning, while applying waterproof mascara, I looked into my eyes and saw it. Nothing. My eyes didn’t shine or pop; there was no light. Where did I go? Where was my soul? Fiery hot tears boiled in the corners of my eyes and rolled down my cheeks leaving their tracks in the pink blush…
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PTSD from Domestic Abuse
PTSD Affects 10 Percent of Domestic Abuse Survivors Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from domestic abuse affects a great number of abused and previously abused women. Women, in general, develop PTSD from domestic abuse more often than men in part because … women are more likely to experience trauma within established relationships or their traumatic exposures are more chronic than…
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Choosing to Stay in an Abusive Relationship
Staying Is a Choice You Can Make Choosing to stay in an abusive relationship is something you might need to do for now or forever. But when you stay, you may not find much support. Your abuser may have already cut you off from family and friends. The people who are still around want to…
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Is PTSD from Abuse Affecting You?
About 6 out of every 100 people, 6% of the United States population, will have PTSD at some point in their lives.1 PTSD resulting from domestic abuse is diagnosed in about 10% of domestic violence victims. Why so many? Domestic abuse is a trauma enacted by someone you’re told you can trust (the family unit…
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Depression Symptoms Show the Effects of Domestic Abuse
Depression symptoms and the effects of domestic abuse are eerily similar. Domestic abuse causes unhealthy thinking habits. Then the thinking habits become depression symptoms. Let’s explore several symptoms of depression followed by thoughts on how domestic abuse influences or causes those depression symptoms. It’s important to talk to your doctor about depression if any of the…
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Flat-Lining in Domestic Abuse Recovery
Stephen Covey says to “live out of your imagination, not your history.” Depression, suicidal thoughts, hate, despair and hopelessness result when I live out of the mindset of my past. It’s as if he is abusing me all over again.
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I Left My Abusive Marriage: Why Am I Still In A Mental Fog?
I left my abusive marriage just like Susan, the author of the story below. Focusing on this part of her story is important because although staying in an abusive relationship isn’t easy, living after leaving one isn’t easy either. It’s wonderful to think that after leaving abuse life will go straight back to normal. But…