Intimate partner violence affects the mind and body.
Intimate partner violence and abuse—whether physical, emotional/psychological, financial, or sexual—can affect your mind, body and nervous system. These effects can be immediate or long-lasting, and they may continue even after the abuse has stopped.
Impact on the Mind
Abuse can deeply affect mental health. Many survivors experience anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress. You may feel constantly on edge, overwhelmed, or unsafe. Some survivors struggle with self-doubt, shame, or racing thoughts that feel hard to control.
Impact on the Body
Abuse can also affect physical health. Some survivors experience injuries or disabilities, as well as long-term health problems. These may include heart or breathing problems, headaches, dizziness, trouble concentrating or thinking clearly, reproductive health concerns, digestive problems, arthritis, and more. (Here is an infographic on this topic, which you can view and download.)
How the Nervous System Is Affected
After trauma or long-term stress, the brain and nervous system can stay in “survival mode,” which can affect how safe you feel, how you respond to stress, and how your body and mind function day to day. This means your body may act as if danger is still present, even when it has passed. You might feel constantly alert, tense, or exhausted. Stress hormones can stay turned on for too long, affecting sleep, energy, focus, and overall health.
What you may be experiencing is a normal response to an abnormal and frightening situation. These reactions are not a personal weakness or failure—they are your body and brain trying to protect you. If you’d like to learn more about how trauma affects the brain and body, here is a helpful article.
