Domestic violence the effect on mental health

There is an established link between mental health problems and domestic violence . The most common disorders are depression, anxiety and post traumatic stress disorder.  Self harm and attempted suicide are also far more prevalent .

 In a study published in the British Medical Journal, Bradley et al (2002) found that experience of domestic violence was associated with much higher levels of depression than was found among women who had not experienced domestic violence. Among women who were depressed, 67% had experienced domestic violence as compared with 33% who had not. This finding means that two thirds of women with depression have experienced domestic violence. Should this mean that woman and men presenting at the GP with symptoms of depression be screened for domestic violence?

Breslau et al (1998) investigated the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder following trauma in a sample of the general population and found that those who had suffered rape and other violence had greatly increased rates of post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD). They found that 49% of those subject to rape suffered PTSD; 54% of those who were held captive, tortured or kidnapped; 15% of those who were shot or stabbed; 24% of those who suffered sexual assault other than rape; 8% of those who were threatened with a weapon; and 32% of those who were badly beaten up. This compares with 2% of those in a serious car crash. Women were more twice as likely as men to suffer PTSD following a trauma.   

 Time and again I have seen in family cases domestic violence victims being labelled with serious mental illness , often having their children placed elsewhere I have never seen this labelled as PTSD, which of course is treatable. A domestic violence victim is entitled to legal aid in private law proceedings if they can prove evidence of domestic violence within the last 60 months.