After dealing with depression and other health issues it was brought to my attention that some of these issues were symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Although, I reassured myself that I did not have PTSD I went on to begin researching the connection of Intimate Partner Violence and PTSD. During my research, I also took several online PTSD assessments. After completing these assessments all of them told me to immediately contact a mental healthcare provider. I scored differently on each assessment but they all determined that I scored very high on the PTSD scale. My research reassured me that I am by no means alone in my symptoms of PTSD or in my denial of the fact that I suffer from PTSD.
Millions of women are affected by Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) each year. Experiencing trauma is very common in women. The National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) reports that five out of ten women experience trauma. (National Center for PTSD, 2007) The relationship between intimate partner violence and PTSD is very strong. This relationship grows stronger depending on the amount of violence a woman is exposed to and what coping strategies she employs in response to the violence. (Lily, 2010) Repeated exposure to trauma from intimate partner violence causes posttraumatic stress disorder in women.
Intimate Partner Violence is another name for domestic violence. The term Intimate Partner Violence is normally used in relationships where the victim is involved in a sexually intimate relationship such as marriage. Intimate Partner Violence is a fairly new term while domestic violence is not nor, is the act of domestic violence. Domestic violence dates back to early Roman society. During this period women were considered the property of their husbands. Men had authority over their wives and could beat and divorce their wives at their own discretion. If a man murdered his wife it was not questioned or frowned upon.
The government’s definition of domestic violence and abuse is: “Any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening behavior, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are or have been, intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality. (Bagness 2016)” Domestic violence is all about power and control. The ultimate goal of an abuser is to have full control over their victim.
According to Michelle Lilly, millions of women are affected by intimate partner violence each year that results in adverse social, physical and emotional outcomes. (Lilly 2010) Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and symptoms of PTSD have been observed in survivors of IPV. Higher amounts of violence are correlated with greater symptoms of PTSD or the likelihood of a PTSD diagnosis. However, it has been reported by Mary Ann Dutton that, “Psychological abuse is a stronger predictor of PTSD than physical abuse among women.
Some of the symptoms associated with PTSD are anxiety, depression, gastrointestinal problems, insomnia, chest, back, pelvic pain and headaches. Many survivors of domestic violence may relive traumatic events over and over again. Chronic pain syndromes are very common in women who have experienced domestic violence. (Dutton 2006)
Furthermore, how a survivor copes with intimate partner violence is a determining factor in whether they will be diagnosed with PTSD. (Lilly, 2010) Survivors will employ multiple coping strategies to deal with the effects of a traumatic event or as violence increases in order to preserve their safety and/ or relieve their stress level. (Lily, 2010)
Some of the coping strategies used by victims of IPV are; adopting the belief that they are responsible for “helping” the partner, they can control their partner’s violent outbursts, or the violence will not occur again, minimizing the extent of physical or emotional injury suffered, blaming oneself or a partner’s addiction problem, and becoming increasingly isolated to avoid shame over being abused. (Arriaga 2005)
Whatever you choose to call it, domestic violence or intimate partner violence we need to bring an end to it. Until domestic violence is brought to an end women will continue to suffer from the many physical and mental symptoms associated with domestic violence and PTSD. Victims will continue to use coping strategies to preserve their safety and the number of women diagnosed with PTSD will increase.
Photo credit: Depositphotos
