When the subject of domestic violence comes up, I notice that there are people who can’t seem to grasp that abuse is not always physical. It might be an uncomfortable conversation for some because it forces society to recognize something many would rather sweep under the rug instead of face head-on. Yet, it is difficult because sometimes this truth is hard to swallow. I don’t think anyone wants to believe or accept that their partner could hurt them in any way. But it’s important to recognize signs of trauma because finances and children are often involved.
If someone does not understand what happening above-board is, they may not take action soon enough or at all when attempting to leave the abuser, potentially putting themselves in even more danger. Spousal abuse is not always physical, and that often means people have a difficult time recognizing the signs of trauma.
The following are signs you may have encountered trauma or are currently in an abusive relationship:
1) Having mood swings for no reason:
If the person you’re with cannot talk to you about their feelings without getting too angry or annoyed, they may be trying to control you. It is not a healthy way of dealing with emotions, and it’s an unhealthy basis for a relationship.
2) Being scared:
Do you feel that something bad might happen? Are you afraid your partner might do something to you? Afraid for your children because of how your partner treats them as well as yourself? Being scared all of the time is NOT NORMAL. If someone is afraid, it’s because there is something wrong going on in the relationship, and people need to recognize that fact if they want out of this type of situation.
3) Having anxiety:
According to WebMD, *Anxiety is an emotional response to a real or imagined threat that can be mild or severe*. Pay attention to when your anxiety increases. Does it happen when you are in the company of your partner? Is this person constantly checking on you? Ensure where you are, who you are with, and who might be calling/texting/emailing you?
4) Not being able to recall what happened:
Do you feel like something bad happened but cannot pinpoint the moment in time? Do you get depressed over things that aren’t all that important and spend too much time feeling sorry for yourself? Or do the beatings only come every so often, and then it’s just over as if nothing ever happened?
5) Having low self-esteem:
When you are constantly being put down, it can affect your mental state of mind. You may begin to believe what is being said about you or start picking apart yourself because your abuser is doing that for you.
6) Bad dreams/nightmares:
If the person you’re with cannot talk about their feelings, they may attempt showing how they feel by beating you. Yet, there are other ways abusers try to communicate with victims outside of physical violence. Abusive partners often invade personal space and violate boundaries (this is physical abuse). They also often make threats against the victim’s life or make promises of killing themselves if things do not out (emotional abuse).
Conclusion:
It is important to recognize signs of trauma because finances and children are often involved. Suppose someone does not understand what happening above-board is. In that case, they may not take action soon enough or at all when attempting to leave the abusive relationship, potentially putting themselves in even more danger. With the proper help and support, a victim can get on their feet and make a new life for themselves free of violence.
Author Bio:
Sarah has been writing for a decade and now for the Quran teacher near me Website. She obtained her Master’s degree at the University of London. Her main objective is to write insightful content for those who read and like it.