How does domestic abuse affect your mental health?

Aside from any physical injuries, domestic abuse can have a significant impact on your mental health and emotional wellbeing. It can affect all aspects of your life, including your relationships with other people. If you have children it may negatively impact their wellbeing too.

How does domestic abuse affect your mental health? Everyone reacts differently but you may experience:

• Fear and/or anxiety
• Low mood or depression
• Low self-esteem or a lack of confidence
• Denial or minimisation of the abuse
• Loneliness or isolation
• Feelings of guilt or self-blame
• Feelings of powerlessness
• Feelings of anger
• Trouble sleeping

Domestic abuse has a similar impact on children, but there are also some differences.

It’s important to remember that all of these reactions are normal and this is not your fault — only your abuser is responsible for their behaviour.

Need help?

If domestic abuse is effecting your mental health, reach out to us by filling out our referral form or give us a call on 01582 341343.

You can also contact us if you think someone you care about is being abused, or you are a professional looking for information.