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How domestic abuse might impact me

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Domestic abuse is serious and can be harmful. We are all individuals and it can impact on each of us in many different ways. People who experience domestic abuse often have very different experiences. The list below is by no means extensive and outlines some of the potential impacts.

Some of the impacts of domestic abuse may include:-

Feeling isolated: being distanced from friends and family which reduces your support system. Low self-esteem: due to humiliation, degradation and unrealistic expectations set by your partner or ex-partner. Exhaustion: being mentally and physically drained. Injuries: the type and severity of an injury can mpact short term and long term health. Hyper-vigilance: walking on egg shells. constantly watching for any changes in partners behaviour and monitoring your behaviour. This can continue after a relationship ends. Debt: due to having a lack of finacial control. Mental ill health: anxiety, depression, PTSD, self-harm, substance misuse, eating disorders, suicide. Homelessness: due to having to flee abuse. Confusion: due to gaslighting behaviour from a partner or ex-partner, it can become more difficult to keep in touch with reality. Further relationship difficulties: due to the abusive relationship, there may be difficulties with trust, boundaries, and knowing what a healthy relationship is. Low selse of self-worth can find women getting into a cycle of abusive relationships. Disturbed patters of sleeping/eating: sleeping, eating and other basic needs may be controlled by partner/ex-partner