Health Needs of Survivors of Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is not over when the victim is safe and out of harm's way. It's not over until justice has been served. Even then, it's not over. It's not over until the victim is safe, justice has been served, and the victim is well.

Consider these facts:

• Abuse, especially repetitive abuse, leaves a lasting "impression" on the health, well-being, and post-abuse functioning of the victim. This impact lingers long after the bruises fade, the bones mend, and the abuse is over.
• Victims of violence seek healthcare more often than non-victims. The severity of victimization is a powerful predictor of the healthcare costs generated by these victims.
• Most healthcare visits by victims of domestic violence are not domestic violence patients presenting with injuries, but rather medical problems that seemingly are not related to current or past injuries.

The health effects of violence can reach across the life span. Studies have now shown that adults who were abused in childhood vs. those who were not have more:

• Infectious diseases
• Mental health disorders
• Hypertension
• Diabetes
• Dermatitis
• Asthma
• Allergy
• Acne
• Abnormal menstrual bleeding
• More heath-threatening behaviors such as smoking, the use of alcohol, driving while intoxicated, avoiding regular gynecological examinations, not wearing seat belts, sedentary lifestyle, and high-risk sexual encounters.

The abuse sustained in an intimate partner relationship does not have to be physical to cause poor health. Intimate partner violence and abuse (IPVA) can take several forms: physical abuse, verbal abuse, and forced sex. When Dr. Ann Coker and her colleagues looked at domestic violence in a large series of patients, they found that approximately 14% of domestic violence victims have only been victimized psychologically, not physically. These victims had higher rates of numerous medical problems that the non-abused do not have. Among them:

• Disability that prevented working
• Arthritis
• Chronic pain
• Migraine and other frequent headaches
• Stammering
• Sexually transmitted infections
• Chronic pelvic pain
• Stomach ulcers
• Frequent indigestion, diarrhea, or constipation.

These findings pose an interesting question: Do victims of psychological abuse have fewer or more health problems than victims of physical violence? Dr. Coker and her colleagues found that "psychological IPV was as strongly associated with the majority of adverse health outcomes as was physical IPV." The old childhood taunt of "Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can never hurt me," is wrong, wrong, wrong. And now we have research to support the idea that it's wrong.

Survivors of domestic violence or IPVA will tell you that life after abuse is never the same. Some experience insomnia, multiple aches and pains, problems with concentration, intrusive thoughts, fatigue, and irritability. Any one of these can interfere with effective functioning and set the stage for depression and even despair.

Violence and abuse of all forms is complex and the resulting health effects are interwoven. No single approach cures all. Medical help for domestic violence victims and survivors exists but is scattered. Appropriate care is often difficult to find and access, but it can be done. Healthcare providers and survivors must learn to work together to secure the best state of health possible for survivors of domestic violence.

My recent book on using expressive writing to help resolve lingering health issues offers one way to give aid to survivors and their supporters. You can read a summary about the book at website http://healthaftertrauma/

© Copyright Ellen Taliaferro, MD 2005. All rights reserved. . You have permission to publish part or all of this article electronically or in print, in your newsletter, on your website, or in your e-book, as long you maintain the hyperlinks in the article and include the following information: "Written by Ellen Taliaferro, MD, author, speaker, and expert witness. Dr T. can be contacted through http://www.healthaftertrauma.com. A copy of your reprint or publication would be appreciated.

---

Treating Lazy Eye in Older Children

Many eye doctors believed until recently that if a child's... Read More

Generic Drug: Its Pros and Cons

A generic drug can be defined as an identical, or... Read More

CRP And Your Heart

Monitoring your CRP level is vitally important because it is... Read More

Alprazolam/Xanax ? A Habit Forming Drug

Xanax is a Prescription Drug which is habit forming. You... Read More

Medication Compliance Kit ... A Life Saver

Pill Proof LLC introduces the first, easy to use medication... Read More

Zyprexa Side Effects are Deadly: Effects Include NMS

Zyprexa is a prescription drug that treats schizophrenia, acute mania... Read More

Irritable Bowel Syndrome - Cybill Shepherd Reveals All

Cybill Shepherd has revealed that she suffers from irritable bowel... Read More

The Right Stethoscope For Your Needs!

Just about all health care providers have need of stethoscopes.... Read More

Coumadin Users Can Avoid Unnecessary Complications By Wearing Identification

The police arrive at the accident scene promptly. A driver... Read More

A Guide to Arthritis Pain Relief

In a recent survey on pain conducted by the Stanford... Read More

Lunesta Sleeping Pills: A Quick Guide To Lunesta

When was the last time you enjoyed a good night's... Read More

Technology Over Drugs for Stress Related Tension Disorders

As much as 95% of the population suffers from some... Read More

Take Control of Your Doctor: Ten Actions To Get What You Need At Your Next Office Visit

Michael Richardson, MD has some suggestions on maximizing your next... Read More

Orphan Drugs: Hope Where There Is Little or No Hope

NEW YORK, N.Y., February 18, 2004 ? On a visit... Read More

Online Pharmacies Are Becoming Increasingly Popular Due To Their Convenience And Discreetness

Leading online pharmacy companies are providing consumer with a secure,... Read More

Medical Testing: Health By The Numbers Doesnt Work

Perhaps one of the most insidious dangers in modern technology... Read More

NIH Official Altered Drug Study

NIH Official Altered Drug StudyDr. Edmund Tramont, director of the... Read More

Questions to Your Physician or Psychotherapist

According to ongoing research about the needs of patients with... Read More

After Viagra, Its Now a Premature Orgasm Pill for Women

Pfizer's exciting drug history traces back to the most popular... Read More

Check Out The Wonders Of Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is the essential oil comes from the... Read More

Are Drug Companies Destroying The U.S. Health Care System?

The U.S. government's annual bill for healthcare spending ? $3,925... Read More

Rheumatoid Arthritis : the time bomb

The beginning is very much hard to spot as we... Read More

Three Questions People Are Asking About Health Care in America

Q. Why is there so may uninsured people in America?A.... Read More

Sinusitis: Sinus Infection Deals a Corporate KO

Sinusitis and Sinus Infection Starts with a Little SniffleYes, I... Read More

10 Home Remedies For Arthritis Pain Relief

Your Remedy No. 1 ==============Stretch Gently for Strength and Mobility.When... Read More

Serevent Side Effects Put Serevent in Top 5 Most Dangerous Drugs

Serevent is an asthma inhalation medication, a bronchodilator, that relaxes... Read More

How to Tell If Online Consultations Are Right For You

As computers, Internet and technology have become increasingly more available... Read More

Resperate or RESPeRATE - this device controls blood pressure however you spell it!

Resperate is natural and powerful and it puts you in... Read More

Talking Money with Your Doctor: Drugs and Tests for Less

Would you buy groceries without knowing their prices? I suspect... Read More

The Right Medical Equipment For You Home Or Practice!

Quality, dependable Medical Equipment is an important component of every... Read More

Prescription Drugs from International Pharmacies Save Elderly Money

As pointed out by *Jack Shapiro, an internationally-known healthcare marketing... Read More

Why Our Healthcare System Isnt Healthy

Most people are well aware that an estimated 45 million... Read More

4 Reasons Why You Should Use Canadian Pharmacies

Let's face it: purchasing prescription drugs in the U.S. can... Read More