Depression Caused by an Abusive Relationship

An abusive relationship impacts its victims on a deep emotional, physical and psychological level. Victims tend to experience an overwhelming sense of depression, which can intensify based on the severity of abuse and the amount of time over which abuse is committed. Depression often stems from a victim’s feeling that the relationship is hopeless and insurmountable. This feeling is magnified when left unaddressed or when abuse is perpetrated by someone related to the victim.

Cause

• The individual that abuses typically does so to “exert control over the victim. An abuser attempts to establish dominance--often physically or verbally--which leaves the victim feeling helpless and alone. These feelings directly translate into depression, which can continue for an indefinite amount of time. As a result, depression resulting from an abusive relationship must be addressed early to avoid irreparable damage.

Effects

• Depression resulting from an abusive relationship causes its victims to experience an acute erosion of their confidence, self-esteem and cognitive abilities. According to the Healthy Me Website, there exists a “high correlation between verbal abuse and feelings of powerlessness and depression.” Victims of abuse typically lose some sense of personal identity, leading them to question their rationale and sanity.

Significance

• Victims of abuse will often lose their ability to trust others; they become overly accommodating, because they want to avoid conflict. As a result, depression breeds an inability to properly address the issue of relational abuse. Victims become depressed and begin to accept abuse as deserved or unavoidable. They become unwilling to confront the issue of relational abuse due to fear of loss or retaliation.

Considerations

• Depression resulting from an abusive relationship affects not only the individuals involved, but also those related to the abused. According to the National Institute of Justice, children of an abused parent are more likely to develop depression. In particular, the National Institute of Justice noted that children between the ages of 12 to 18 were at a higher risk of depression and behavioral problems.

Treatment

• Treatment for depression resulting from an abusive relationship begins with the victim’s admittance of abuse. After the victim has admitted to the existence of abuse, the victim will often separate herself from the abuser. Following separation, counseling and therapy sessions can help victims of abuse reestablish identity and combat depression.