If you have lived in a psychologically abusive relationship for a shorter or longer period of time, it is natural to develop stress, anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress disorder, also known as PTSD, as a result. In this article, we want to highlight the damage that women can experience after psychological violence and also make everyone more aware of what damage this causes and how long it can take to recover from psychological violence in a relationship.
We are here for you
Ellestedet is a women's crisis center that helps women and their children break the cycle of violence once and for all. Our work focuses on specific treatment for both women and children. We also want to contribute knowledge and information about the many types of violence in order to strengthen the knowledge bank that will help other women spot signs of psychological violence before it becomes a vicious circle that is impossible, or at least seems impossible, to break.
If you need help, we are available around the clock, seven days a week. Simply call us on +45 51 15 65 66. A professional will take your call and ensure you the right way forward, whether it's a stay with us or advice on how to make the right choice for you in your situation.
What does psychological violence do to you when it should be over?
What psychological violence does to a woman varies from woman to woman, as it depends on the severity and chronicity of the psychological violence. What they all have in common, however, is that all research suggests that psychological domestic violence can be far more damaging than all other forms of violence. It is the type of violence that often follows the woman even after she has broken up with her abusive partner.
One of the reasons why psychological domestic violence in particular can have such serious consequences is that it occurs in a relationship that is normally based on love and trust. Psychological violence in particular breaks trust, and the woman living in the abusive relationship will therefore constantly live in fear of when the violence will occur again, and in the long term, her self-understanding and self-esteem will be eroded. This is because the psychologically abusive partner often blames the woman for all her misfortune, and she will therefore see herself as complicit in her own misfortune: "If I didn't do this, he wouldn't have to do that... It must be my fault."
What injuries can occur after psychological violence?
Psychological violence can have a direct impact on a woman's mental health. This is because part of the psychological violence can isolate the woman from family, friends, work and other networks. In this way, the woman is made dependent on the abusive partner and will therefore experience a large empty space when the relationship with the abuser is severed, because then who is left? This can be very difficult to understand and accept, as the woman has indirectly isolated herself in fear of the consequences of speaking out against the psychologically abusive behavior. The woman may feel alone in the world and at times find life without their partner unmanageable, as the partner has manipulated them on a daily basis into believing that they are the only one who wants the best for them. Isolation is one of the most damaging things you can be exposed to, and it can have a huge impact on your perception of reality and your ability to reach out to your network for help.
Some of the common injuries after psychological violence will often be
Why injuries from psychological violence are dangerous
As we mentioned earlier, the consequences of psychological violence follow the woman long after she has broken up with her abusive partner. This can be in the form of a powerless depression, repeated anxiety attacks or stress sick leave from work. It can be in the form of sleep disorders, eating disorders or self-harming behavior. And it can end in self-medication or alcohol abuse as an escape from reality. These are all symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, and they all occur as a result of prolonged and violent psychological stress. The damage caused by psychological violence can have a direct impact on a woman's happiness, health and work ability, as well as her ability to take care of herself and her children.
How long does it take to recover from psychological violence?
The consequences of psychological violence are highly individualized from woman to woman, so there is no single answer to how long it takes to recover from psychological violence. For some, it can be lifelong and for others, the breakup with the abusive partner can be enough in itself. The only thing that is certain is that anyone who has been exposed to psychological violence - both children and women - must seek professional help to get the right tools to move on with their lives. Often, the major breach of trust they have suffered can stay with the woman for a long time, and they may find it difficult to trust a partner again. It may also be that the partner does not accept the breach and therefore starts stalking the woman, keeping her in an unsafe and uneven power relationship with the partner she has been trying to get away from.
Ellestedet counsels you after psychological violence
As part of our treatment at Ellestedet, we always ensure that the woman has the right tools and a safe foundation to step back into at the end of her stay with us. We ensure that all women are connected to a strong network, and we always have a lifeline open for the woman and her children. She can always come back to us if things get too much again, or if her partner suddenly appears in the background. We are here to help and educate women about their free choice to live a safe and harmonious life without fear for themselves and their children.