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Trauma in DV Survivors

You are here: Home1 / Resource2 / Victim Services3 / Domestic Violence Awareness4 / Trauma in DV Survivors

Trauma in DV Survivors

man yelling at woman stock imageWhat is trauma?

According to the American Psychological Association “Trauma is an emotional response to a terrible event like an accident, sexual assault, or natural disaster. Immediately after the event, shock and denial are typical. Longer term reactions include unpredictable emotions, flashbacks, strained relationships, and even physical symptoms like headaches and nausea.”

How does trauma impact DV survivors?

Domestic violence survivors not only have to contend with extensive trauma but additionally have to combat natural tendencies of the brain to protect itself in order to rebuild their life.

Every survivor’s experience, history, coping mechanisms, personality and countless other factors affect how their trauma presents itself. However, just like abusive behaviors follow certain patterns, we can see some consistencies in trauma responses. The most common psychological affect of domestic violence is PTSD or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

PTSD in Survivors

In domestic violence survivors, PTSD can present in the following ways:

  • Avoidance: Avoiding reminders or “triggers” of the traumatic event, such as people, places, thoughts or events
  • Arousal and reactivity: Sudden inexplicable anger, outbursts, difficulty being reached emotionally, feeling numb, trouble sleeping and startling easily
  • Reliving the event: Being confronted by the emotional trauma of the event suddenly and without an obvious reason, resulting in emotional outbursts, chills, heart palpitations, extreme anxiety and other symptoms
Leaving Trauma Untreated

PTSD can cause long-term mental health effects, including:

  • Anger Management Issues
  • Severe Depression
  • Intense Loneliness

Additionally, untreated PTSD can increase the likelihood of developing several life-threatening conditions including:

  • Heart Disease
  • High Blood Pressure
  • Type 2 Diabetes
  • Substance Use Disorders

How Peace River Center Victim Services Helps Survivors

It is important for domestic violence survivors to seek help not only with things like safety planning, but also with mental health help to address the trauma they experienced. Peace River Center Victim Services provides compassionate advocates who can assist with counseling or link survivors to outside resources such as Peace River Center’s Outpatient Therapy Services. A lot of our Outpatient Therapists are trained in Eye Movement Reprocessing Desensitization (EMDR), which can help further process trauma. Peace River Center is dedicated to providing trauma-informed care for survivors of domestic violence and their children. To get started today, give us a call at 863.413.2708.

If you are a in a domestic violence crisis situation, please call our 24-hour domestic violence hotlines: 863.413.2700 (Polk County) or 863.386.1167 Hardee/Highlands Counties.

 
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You can make a difference.

By supporting Peace River Center, you’ll be helping us make a positive impact in the lives of the people we serve. Whether it’s a small gift or some of your spare time, you’re contributing to our goal: to help build emotional wellness in our communities.

Donate Today!
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You Are Not Alone. Get Help Today!

Emotional Support & Crisis Line: 863.519.3744 

Domestic Violence Crisis Hardee/Highlands County: 863.386.1167 

Domestic Violence Polk County: 863.413.2700

Sexual Assault Crisis Line: 863.413.2707

You Are Not Alone.
Get Help Today!

Emotional Support & Crisis Line: 863.519.3744 

Domestic Violence Crisis Hardee/Highlands County: 863.386.1167 

Domestic Violence Polk County: 863.413.2700

Sexual Assault Crisis Line: 863.413.2707

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