The Start of Domestic Violence
Domestic Violence and Depression (DV) can start by people that don’t know who has experienced trauma. Violence is used as a way to express their feelings such as anger, sadness, or frustration. The factors that can contribute to these emotions are bad childhood, trauma experiences, abuse and neglect.
People use violence when there is tension built up. It can be used as a way to control their significant other, children, etc. In fact, there could be times when DV is used as a form of “love language,” with the perpetrator using words such as “You made me do this” or “I’m sorry”. The cause of depression can be domestic violence or other forms of abuse.
The most common abuse is neglect. The lack of attentiveness and affection can cause the child to feel betrayed or unloved. As the child grows older, they are able to pick up different signs of domestic violence. Scientists have proven when you neglect a child, it is an increased risk that they will grow up with a behavioral disorder.
However, in most cases a child can flip out due to stress in these situations. Furthermore, in child development this can affect them physically and mentally.
Women in Domestic Abuse
In domestic violence situations women are mostly reported face intimate partner violence. In most cases, behavior caused from a partner can be physical, mental, and sexual harm.
Furthermore, studies have indicated that men are less likely to report intimate partner violence. Some experts believe this is due to stereotypes placed on men. I.e. they are stronger than a woman, therefore it is less likely they can become a victim.
This is why the major cause of depression and negative mental health stems from the domestic violence and abuse one tolerates.
However, this is far from the truth as they can become the victim of abuse. Victims of DV most likely become depressed, stressed, experience anxiety, and can have panic attacks. Furthermore, female DV victims are at greater risk of suicide attempts and sleeping disorders.
Learning to ‘Survive’
Women, children, and other DV victims can cope with this pain in different ways. Some of these can be eating, becoming self-destructive, or end up self-medicating with drugs or alcohol. When these behaviors are performed, they make them feel more isolated and miserable. However, at the same time they are unable to think of other ways to “make the pain go away.”
Cause and Effect
The problem in violence is it can result in death, psychological trauma, and physical injury. The consequences of domestic violence can cross through generations and last for a lifetime. Unfortunately, most decide to suffer in silence. The only way people will know about a person’s experience is if the actions were made out in the open.
This is a serious public health issue that impacts several survivors. While people can be affected it can be preventable. Preventing abuse can be leaving the first time or talk to a close person in your life. However, learning to manage unhealthy feelings like anger or fear can help to.
In relationships you can see small signs from where the abuse starts. Some signs in an unhealthy relationship are jealousy, immaturity and trust. For instance, most couples come down to childish disagreements. This will cause tension between the two and one may become more heated than the other.
Psychological Abuse
This abuse involves the regular and use range of words and non-physical actions that is used to manipulate a person. This can show a sign of hurt or weakness that will cause someone to be frightened mentally or emotionally. The feeling this type of abuse will give you will interact with the people around you.
It will draw you to an emotion that you are less deserving or valid to other people. You may also notice your own actions as your feelings can take over. For example, you can flip out in range, or start doing things you may not be used to. This can influence a person’s thoughts or actions in their everyday lives.
A person can perform self-harm and a negative effect on their well-being. Psychological abuse can be caused by controlling perpetrators. They use this as a way to get their way or to get what they want. An example of this is called “Love Bombing.” The abuser will use romantic gesture and words to lure their partner back in.
Furthermore, they will also use words like “sorry” to cover for their actions. While the person thinks about their actions and thoughts about what they did to the person. Often, people will go back to their significant others and have a repeated situation. The cause and effect of domestic violence will result in major depression and other mental health issues.
Written By Nyaire White
Sources:
dvsn.org – The Power and Control Wheel – An Overview of Abuse Tactics
criminal-justice.ireseach.com- Domestic Violence Research Topics
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov – Domestic Violence
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Inset Image Courtesy of wiredforlego (Flickr CC0) – All Creative Commons License
