What is physical abuse recovery therapy?
Physical abuse is the use of force or aggression to harm another person, resulting in bodily injury. The more common forms of physical abuse occur in a family system, often against the partner or the children. Physical abuse causes physical harm, pain, impair health, and complications such as anxiety and PTSD.
Physical abuse recovery therapy helps survivors cope with the impact of the abuse. It helps them heal from the trauma, build self-trust, and overcome the negative effects of abuse.
Signs of physical abuse
Some signs of physical abuse include:
- Unexplained injuries with false accounts of what happened
- Visible signs of abuse including burn marks, welts, tie-marks, cuts, bruises, black eye, bite marks, punctured skin, and lacerations.
- Unexplained falls
- Signs of malnutrition
- Loss of hair in clumps
- Frequent injuries
- Broken bones
- Untreated injuries
- Mismanaged medication
- Isolation of the victim
- Effects of poisoning
- Person shrinking away from contact
- Fear in the eyes
- Babies and children may exhibit signs such as poor eating habits or bed-wetting
- Signs of head trauma include seizures and vomiting
- Psychological issues like substance abuse, self-harm, and panic attacks.
Types of physical abuse
A crime, physical abuse can take different forms. Examples include:
- Causing bodily harm by hitting, slapping, rough handling, burning, and assaulting.
- Physical punishments.
- Causing discomfort.
- Isolating and confining people.
- Abusing medication or drugs.
- Force feeding.
- Tying or restraining.
Other types of abuse though do not strictly come under the definition of physical abuse but do lead to bodily harm. These include:
Sexual abuse
Any sexual contact that is done without consent comes under the ambit of sexual abuse. Some examples of sexual abuse include rape, coercive sexual acts including nudity, touch, sodomy, and explicit photography. Sexual abuse impacts both physical and mental health.
Child abuse
Child abuse is the intentional use of force against the child, resulting in harm to their self, development, and esteem. The most common reason for child abuse in homes is punishment, which could be done in response to their mistake or to discipline them.
Intimate partner violence
Also known as domestic abuse, IPV refers to abuse in a romantic relationship. It can include the use of brute force, sexual abuse, stalking, economic exploitation, and emotional abuse. Intimate partner violence disproportionately affects women.
Impact of Physical Abuse
A traumatic experience, physical abuse can lead to a range of issues, including:
- Mental health issues: Being subjected to physical abuse can lead to a range of emotional and psychological problems including depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. The terror and humiliation it causes has a grave impact on people’s self-worth.
- Physical health problems: In the short term, there is an obvious harm to physical health. Additionally, physical abuse also leads to complications in the long-term including heart problems, musculoskeletal issues, and digestive system complications.
- Cycle of violence: Often, many people who experience physical abuse go on to afflict it on others as well.
- PTSD: Physical abuse can lead to the victim having posttraumatic stress disorder which has a significant impact on the quality of their life. It can lead to emotional issues, flashbacks, fears, physical distress, unhappiness, sleep problems, aggression, and social isolation, among other symptoms.
Physical Abuse Recovery Therapy Techniques
Physical Abuse Counselling in Dubai can employ different techniques to help people heal. These include:
Abuse-focused Cognitive-behavioral Therapy
AB-CBT helps individuals recover from the emotional and behavioral issues stemming from physical abuse. It is also beneficial for improving coping strategies and emotional regulation.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
EMDR is helpful, especially in cases where the individual has PTSD on account of the abuse. It involves using guided eye movements that help process traumatic memories, allowing individuals to release emotional pain associated with abuse.
Group Therapy
Group therapy provides individuals a safe space to talk about their experiences and heal. It is also effective in reducing feelings of isolation and sharing coping strategies.
Getting Physical Abuse Recovery Therapy In Dubai
While stringent laws are being put into place, women and children continue to be vulnerable to physical abuse. According to one study, 12.6% of the children in UAE suffered from physical abuse, while another report highlighted how 38% of the women suffered from physical abuse.
These alarming statistics are evidence of the need for greater awareness about physical abuse. If you or someone you know is experiencing physical abuse, reaching out for physical abuse recovery therapy in Dubai can help people rebuild a safe and fulfilling life.
