IPV - Older Adults ● VPI - personnes âgées 27 Regret photo created by master1305 - www.freepik.com Long-term impacts of Intimate PartnerViolence Being subjected to violence is scary and can have dangerous impacts on physical and mental wellbeing. While some of the harms from being subjected to violence are obvious, others are not and can have long-term impacts on people’s health. Chronic stress from IPV can lead to posttraumatic stress and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, nervousness and general pain. People who have been subjected to IPV may experience depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, phobias, self-harming behaviours and suicidality. Other impacts might include hypertension (high blood pressure), reproductive problems and stomach problems. IPV is traumatic and can be complex when the person who uses abusive behaviours is someone who was trusted and supposed to provide love and protection. Trauma is the lasting emotional response that results from living through a distressing event.We all respond differently to trauma and our immediate responses—fight, flight or freeze—are automatic. There is often shame about this response and people might be frustrated that they didn’t respond differently, but these responses are perfectly normal and were meant to help keep you alive in the moment. After an initial response, there are often delayed responses to trauma that occur even weeks later. Those responses can include fatigue, nightmares, flashbacks, fear that it will happen again, and avoiding activities or emotions that are associated with the trauma. People might also have difficulty trusting, keeping their job, feel guilt or shame or use substances to cope. If you have been subjected to violence, or trauma, it is important to talk to a mental health professional about what you’ve experienced. Mental health professionals can help you process trauma, feel safer and give you tools to regain control of your life. You can find mental health resources at the end of this booklet or call 211 to find resources near you.
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