Abuse and resulting trauma puts one in higher risk of a range of persisting psychiatric disorders, such as Depression, Anxiety, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Substance Abuse. Though it is important that trauma alone due to abuse may not necessarily mean that psychological or medical illness will occur, though this trauma may affect one’s self-view and consequently, interpersonal relationships.
Adaptive or protective mechanisms from the abuse may turn maladaptive in situations outside of the abuse as individuals may be triggered by events that remind them of the trauma. Immediate responses to trauma can include anxiety, numbness, dissociation, confusion, physical arousal, confusion, anxiety, exhaustion. Consequently, emotional dysregulation may occur, where trauma survivors have difficulties regulating emotions such as anger, shame and anxiety or may even numb themselves.
Who May be Vulnerable to Abuse:
Anyone who is in a position of power over a vulnerable person may be vulnerable to abuse. Listed below are several groups of people who may be susceptible to being abused
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Children
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Spouses
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Vulnerable adults; Elderly
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Individuals with Disabilities
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Colleagues
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Staff Members
Recognising the Effects of Abuse-Related Trauma
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Sleeping Troubles
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Panic Attacks and Anxiety
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Drinking or Taking Other Drugs
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Binge-Eating, Purging (to rid the body of) Food or Starving
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Suicidal Ideation
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Repeated Experiences of Sexual or Physical Violence
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Feelings of Self-Hate and Low Self-Esteem
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Fearing People and Relationship
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Difficulties Trusting
How Abuse-Related Trauma Manifests
Abuse-related trauma can show up in the body, mind, and relationships. Survivors may experience intrusive memories or images, nightmares, and a heightened startle response. The nervous system can remain “on alert,” making everyday noises or disagreements feel threatening. This hyperarousal often alternates with emotional numbing, where a person may feel disconnected from themselves or others and find it hard to experience pleasure or calm.
Cognitively, people might struggle with concentration, memory gaps, or persistent self-blame (e.g., “I should have stopped it,” “It was my fault”). Interpersonally, trust can become difficult; closeness may feel unsafe even with supportive partners or friends. Some survivors avoid reminders—places, smells, times of day, certain clothing—that were associated with the abuse. Others may over-accommodate or appease to keep the peace, patterns that once protected them but now limit their ability to set healthy boundaries.
Types of Abuse and Their Impact
Physical abuse can include hitting, restraint, choking, deprivation of sleep or food, and property destruction. The body may hold chronic pain or tension after such experiences, and medical visits can be triggering.
Sexual abuse includes coerced or forced sexual activity, harassment, and violations of consent. Survivors can face shame, confusion, and difficulties with intimacy. Triggers may include specific touches, scents, or contexts.
Psychological or emotional abuse involves insults, humiliation, isolation, gaslighting, threats, and control of daily decisions. This form of abuse attacks one’s sense of worth and can produce profound self-doubt and anxiety.
Financial abuse restricts access to money, employment, or education, undermining autonomy and making it harder to leave unsafe situations.
Digital abuse involves surveillance, forced password sharing, or threatening posts/messages online, creating persistent fear even when physically apart from the abuser.
Institutional abuse can happen within systems (e.g., workplaces, care homes) when power is misused or neglect occurs. Survivors may struggle to trust authorities, policies, or formal complaint processes after such harm.
Abuse, Beliefs, and Relationships
Abuse can reshape beliefs about self (“I’m unlovable”), others (“People will hurt me”), and the world (“Nowhere is safe”). These core beliefs influence attachment patterns: some withdraw to stay safe; others seek constant reassurance to avoid abandonment. It is common to over-function (pleasing, fixing) or under-function (numbing, avoiding) in relationships. Therapy aims to help survivors recognise these patterns without judgment and to build alternatives that align with safety, dignity, and values.
In particular, survivors often face cycles of shame and self-criticism after triggers. Shame can drive secrecy (“If people knew, they’d reject me”), making support harder to access. Understanding that these reactions are normal responses to abnormal events can reduce isolation and open the door to healing.
The Body’s Stress System and Triggers
During abuse, the brain’s alarm system (often described as the amygdala) learns to prioritise survival. The memory system (including the hippocampus) may store fragments—sensations, sounds, smells—rather than complete narratives. Later, these fragments can activate the same alarm even when there is no present danger. This is why a harmless cue—like a cologne or a slammed door—can cause intense fear or dissociation. Grounding strategies and trauma-focused therapies help the brain reassess those cues in the present and gradually reclaim a sense of control.
Importantly, triggers are not “overreactions”; they are learned survival responses that once kept a person alive or safer. In recovery, the work is to update the nervous system with here-and-now information: “I am safe; I have choices; I can pause and respond.”
Barriers to Seeking Abuse Help
Survivors frequently encounter barriers such as fear of not being believed, loyalty conflicts, stigma, financial dependence, cultural pressures, or concern about legal consequences. Some may minimise their experiences because there were “no visible injuries,” or because the abuser was also caring or respected in the community. Others worry that speaking up will make things worse. A trauma-informed provider will not rush the process and will respect your pace, priorities, and confidentiality limits.
Safety Planning and First Steps
If you do not feel safe, consider a simple safety plan: identify one or two trusted contacts, note safe places you can go, and prepare essential documents or medicines in an accessible way. Create a code word with a friend to signal you need help. If technology is monitored, use a device the abuser cannot access to research resources. In emergencies, prioritise immediate safety and contact local services.
If you are currently safe but struggling with symptoms, begin with gentle routines: regular meals, hydration, steady sleep-wake times, and brief daily movement. These stabilise the nervous system and make therapy work easier. Many survivors find journaling, mindful walks, or short grounding practices helpful between sessions.
Seeking Help for Abuse and Trauma
There are effective ways to address trauma and some of the therapy methods include:
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Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
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Dialectical Behavioural Therapy
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Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
CBT helps identify and test beliefs formed in abuse contexts (e.g., “I am helpless,” “It’s always my fault”). By examining evidence and building alternative, balanced thoughts, survivors reduce shame and fear while increasing agency. Behavioural experiments—small, safe tests—can demonstrate that new boundaries and communication styles are workable in the present.
Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) strengthens skills in distress tolerance, emotion regulation, mindfulness, and interpersonal effectiveness. For survivors who experience intense emotions or rapid shifts (common after trauma), DBT offers practical, repeatable tools to ride out waves without resorting to harmful coping.
EMDR is a structured approach that helps the brain reprocess traumatic memories using bilateral stimulation (e.g., eye movements, taps). Many people notice that formerly overwhelming memories become less vivid and less emotionally charged, making daily life easier.
Self-Care and Grounding Strategies
Orientation to the present: Name five things you can see, four you can feel, three you can hear, two you can smell, and one you can taste. This re-anchors attention in the here-and-now.
Breath pacing: Try a gentle count (inhale 4, exhale 6) for a few minutes. Longer exhales signal safety to your nervous system.
Temperature and touch: Cool water on the wrists or a weighted blanket can reduce arousal. Pair with a reassuring phrase such as, “I am safe enough right now.”
Body movement: Slow stretching, yoga, or walking releases muscular tension accumulated during hyperarousal. Aim for consistency over intensity.
Boundaries practice: Write one sentence that asserts a small boundary (e.g., “I’m not available for that today”). Rehearse saying it aloud. Small steps build confidence.
Supporting Someone Who Discloses Abuse
Listen and validate: “I’m glad you told me. What happened wasn’t your fault.” Avoid pressing for details the person doesn’t want to share.
Prioritise safety and choice: Ask, “What would feel most helpful right now?” Offer options without pressure.
Respect confidentiality: Keep the person’s information private, noting any legal limits (e.g., imminent risk). Encourage professional support if they want it.
What Therapy Can Look Like with Us
At Psychology Blossom, trauma-informed care means we collaborate on goals, move at your pace, and keep consent central. Early sessions focus on stabilisation and coping skills. When you feel ready, we may process memories with approaches like CBT, DBT, or EMDR. We will also explore relationship patterns and strengthen self-compassion, helping you reconnect with values, identity, and community.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Will I have to talk about everything that happened?
A: No. You decide what to share and when. Many people benefit from first building coping skills and safety before discussing specific memories.
Q: How long does Abuse Therapy take?
A: Recovery is not linear and timelines vary. What matters is a compassionate, steady approach that restores choice, reduces symptoms, and rebuilds trust.
Q: What if I still care about the person who hurt me?
A: Mixed feelings are common. Therapy can help you hold complexity while prioritising safety and wellbeing.
When to Seek Urgent Help
If you are in immediate danger, prioritise safety and contact local emergency services. If you are experiencing escalating self-harm urges or suicidal ideation, reach out to crisis supports in your area or a trusted person who can stay with you while you get help. You are not alone, and support is available.
We recognise that healing from abuse is possible. With compassionate support, practical tools, and evidence-based therapy, many survivors regain a sense of safety, reconnect with others, and rebuild a life guided by their values rather than by trauma.
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