Healing Well And Living FreeSample

Day Six

Finding Help

Scripture: Psalm 56:8

The emotional wounds resulting from trauma often outlast the physical injuries. Whether it produces bruises to the body or bruises to the heart, abuse of any kind always leaves an aftermath that cannot be ignored. Our pain demands to be heard. Most importantly, our pain can teach us if we will entrust ourselves to the healing process.

It is not uncommon for victims of domestic violence to exhibit symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. These symptoms include the following:

• Behavioral symptoms: agitation, irritability, hostility, hyper-vigilance, self-destructive behavior, avoidance of situations that remind the victim of the event(s), difficulty expressing feelings, trouble concentrating, or social isolation 

• Psychological symptoms: flashbacks (reliving the traumatic event or events), fear, severe anxiety, feelings of being constantly on edge, unwanted thoughts, or mistrust 

• Physical symptoms for no reason you can think of: nausea, tremors, pain, fainting, dizziness, headache, stomachache, vomiting, or other physical symptoms

• Mood-related symptoms: loss of interest or pleasure in activities, guilt, emotional numbness, emotional detachment, or loneliness 

• Sleep-related symptoms: insomnia, nightmares, or night terrors (resembles a panic attack, but the victim is asleep) 

Research has shown that the trauma that results from exposure to domestic violence mimics the trauma that war veterans exhibit from exposure to war. The main difference is that a victim of domestic violence faces the enemy in her own home as opposed to on a battlefield. Living day in and day out never knowing when another emotional, verbal, or physical grenade will be thrown at you takes its toll. That toll is PTSD. And that is why working with a trained domestic violence counselor can be life altering in your pursuit of healing well. 

In my own experience, the impact of counseling was astounding. I have found that it is crucial to work with someone who understands the complexities surrounding this issue. In addition to understanding the trauma that results from domestic violence, the professional you choose needs to be a good fit. Simply put, you should feel comfortable with them, feel understood by them, and feel validated regarding the impact abuse has had on you. 

What symptoms of PTSD do you identify with the most? In what ways are you seeing the connection between the trauma you’ve experienced (or are continuing to experience) and your body’s internal alarm system sending you warning signs that the abuse is taking a toll all on you?