Psychological violence

Consequences

Psychological violence can have severe health, psychological, psychosomatic and psychosocial consequences.

Those affected experience psychological violence as being severe and highly destructive. Experiencing violence adversely affects the self-esteem of the people involved and their psychological health.

Possible psychological implications of violence are lowered self-esteem, sleeping disorders, increased anxiety, dejection and depression, even reaching suicidal thoughts, self-harm and eating disorders. Additional stress symptoms often occur. Sometimes psychological violence results in severe psychological diseases, especially if women affected also lack a stable social support network.

Experiencing violence also has an adverse effect on social structures, interpersonal relations, individual lifestyles and the socio-economic situation. The women involved often break off ties with others and contacts with relatives or friends. Given the enormous psychological strain, there is a risk of losing one’s job.

The longer the victims experience violence, the more difficult it becomes to get help from outside and the more difficult external intervention becomes.