CRAZZZZZYYY~~~FOR LOVIN' YOU

I figure it is time to discuss the lasting effects of spouse abuse. Many of these effects can also be applied to children who have been abused by a parent or caretaker. Repeated abuse has long lasting traumatic effects such as panic attacks, hypervigilance, sleep disturbances, flashbacks (intrusive memories), suicidal ideation, and psychosomatic symptoms. The victims experience shame, depression, anxiety, embarrassment, guilt, humiliation, abandonment, and an enhanced sense of vulnerability.Initially, there is often much denial by the victim. Over time, however, the stress begins to erode the victim's life and psychological brutalisation results. Sometimes the victim develops an almost fatal resolve that, inevitably, one day she will be murdered Victims, unable to live a normal life, describe feeling stripped of self-worth and dignity. Personal control and resources, psychosocial development, social support, premorbid personality traits, and the severity of the stress may all influence how the victim experiences and responds to it. Surprisingly, verbal, psychological, and emotional abuse have the same effects as the physical variety [Psychology Today, September/October 2000 issue, p.24]. When a victim finally escapes, the abused woman (or, more rarely, man) feels helpless, self-doubting, worthless, stupid, and a like a failure for having botched her relationship and "abandoned" her "family". In an effort to regain perspective and avoid embarrassment, the victim denies the abuse or minimises it.No wonder that survivors of abuse tend to be clinically depressed, neglect their health and personal appearance, and succumb to boredom, rage, and impatience. Many end up abusing prescription drugs or drinking or otherwise behaving recklessly. Some victims even develop Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Acute Stress Disorder (or Reaction) are the outcomes of sudden exposure to severe or extreme stressors (stressful events). Some victims whose life or body have been directly and unequivocally threatened by an abuser react by developing these syndromes. PTSD is, therefore, typically associated with the aftermath of physical and sexual abuse in both children and adults. Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can be terrifying and even disabling. Common characteristics of the disorder include reliving the traumatic event through frightening memories—such as "flashbacks" that may cause you to temporarily lose your sense of reality (psychosis)—or nightmares that provoke the same feelings of horror, helplessness, and fear that you felt at the time of the event. These memories can be triggered by exposure to reminders of the event.It is common for other conditions to occur along with PTSD, such as depression or substance abuse. If you had other mental health conditions prior to the traumatic event, your symptoms of PTSD and the other condition may be more difficult to treat.Symptoms of PTSD in children and teens are often similar to those in adults. However, children and teens can have additional symptoms or problems.