Breaking The Cycle of Domestic and Emotional Abuse Hypnotherapy

Some of the signs of domestic abuse, such as physical marks, may be easy to identify. Others may be things you can easily explain away or overlook—say, chalking up a friend's skipping out on an activity you once enjoyed together as being due to a simple loss of interest.

Domestic abuse affects each person differently, but it impacts everyone both physically and psychologically. It's often an aggregate of related signs of domestic abuse that tip someone off that a person is at risk.

Domestic abuse can happen to anyone regardless of their social, educational, or financial status. While red flags aren't always proof that someone is being mistreated in this way, they are worth knowing. Many who are abused may try to cover up what is happening to them for a variety of reasons, and these individuals could benefit from help.

Physical Signs of Domestic Abuse

If someone is being physically abused, they will likely have frequent bruises or physical injuries consistent with being punched, choked, or knocked down—and they'll likely have a weak or inconsistent explanation for these injuries.

Some signs of physical abuse include:

• Black eyes

• Bruises on the arms

• Busted lips

• Red or purple marks on the neck

• Sprained wrists

It's also common for someone to try to cover up the physical signs with clothing. For example, you may notice someone you care about wearing long sleeves or scarves in the hot summer. Wearing heavier than normal makeup or donning sunglasses inside are also common signs of domestic abuse.

Abuse occurs when one person in a relationship attempts to dominate and control the other person. Usually, the control begins with psychological or emotional abuse, then escalates to physical abuse. When domestic abuse includes physical violence, it's termed domestic violence.

Emotional Signs of Domestic Abuse

Domestic abuse, of course, can take a serious emotional toll, creating a sense of helplessness, hopelessness, or despair. Domestic abuse can cause people to believe that they will never escape the control of the abuser. They may also exhibit a constant state of alertness to the point they never can completely relax.

Other emotional signs of abuse include:

• Agitation, anxiety, or constant apprehension

• Changes in sleep habits (sleeping too much or not enough)

• Developing a drug or alcohol problem

• Extremely apologetic or meek

• Loss of interest in daily activities

• Low self-esteem

• Seeming fearful

• Talking about or attempting suicide

These symptoms, of course, could be due to many other conditions or factors, but they are typical of domestic abuse victims who feel they are trapped in an abusive relationship.

How Abuse Causes Behavior Changes

If you notice that someone who was once outgoing and cheerful has gradually become quiet and withdrawn, it could be a sign of domestic abuse.

You may notice that the person:

• Becomes reserved and distant

• Begin isolating themselves by cutting off contact with friends and family members

• Cancel appointments or meetings with you at the last minute

• Drops out of activities they would usually enjoy

• Exhibits excessive privacy concerning their personal life or the person with whom they're in a relationship

• Is often late to work or other appointments

Showing Signs of Fear

People who are being abused may seem anxious or nervous when they are away from the abuser, or they may seem overly anxious to please their partner. If they have children, the children may seem timid, frightened, or extremely well-behaved when the partner is around.

Although victims may not talk about the actual abuse, they might refer to the abuser as "moody" or having a bad temper. They may reveal that the partner is particularly bad-tempered when drinking alcohol.

Sometimes, the fear a victim of abuse experiences is so intense they feel paralyzed to make decisions or to even protect themselves or their children. When the fear gets to that point, they will even turn down help offered by friends, family, or even professional protective services.

What Controlling Behavior Looks Like

Domestic abuse is not about violence, it's all about control. If you notice that someone seems to be controlled or extremely manipulated in all areas of their life, it could be a sign they are being abused at some level.

Here are some examples of control:

• Asking permission to go anywhere or to meet and socialize with other people

• Constant calls, texts, or tracking by their partner wanting to know where they are, what they are doing, and who they are with

• Having very little money available to them, not having access to a credit card, or having to account for every penny spent

• Not having access to a vehicle

• Referring to their partner as "jealous" or "possessive," or always accusing them of having affairs

How to Get Help

Attempting to escape an abusive relationship can be a truly frightening ordeal. However, it is one that doesn't need to be faced alone.

Here are steps to take after making the decision to leave the danger:

• Map out a plan: This plan will list out the safe places you can escape to, as well as the people who can offer assistance and protection against your abuser. 

• Retain evidence of abuse: Take pictures of bruises and cuts, threatening text messages and emails, or other signs that show abuse by a partner should be kept safe and hidden when planning your escape.

• Contact local help centers: Where possible, discreetly reach out to local centers that protect victims of domestic abuse for assistance with your plan to leave. They may also offer guidance for life after escape.

Using a variety of therapeutic techniques CBT and NLP with the integration of hypnotherapy and psychotherapy render it a successful way to identify and understand Trauma. This integrative approach aims to help individuals process and reframe traumatic memories reduce emotional triggers and overwhelming experiences and replace them with healthy coping strategies in a safe environment. This therapy can also help individuals develop coping mechanisms and reduce symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and insomnia.