Domestic violence and mental health — safety before therapy

Domestic violence is not only physical assault. It includes threats, coercive control, sexual pressure, financial control, isolation, humiliation and surveillance. The mental-health effects are real because the danger is real.

Survivors may present with anxiety, depression, PTSD, sleep disturbance, body pain, shame, confusion and difficulty making decisions. Abuse often creates learned helplessness through cycles of fear, apology, hope and renewed harm.

Prioritise safety. Identify a trusted person, documents, money access, emergency contacts and a place to go if needed. Use therapy with someone who understands abuse dynamics. Couples therapy is unsafe when one partner is coercive or violent.

If there is immediate danger, call emergency 112 or local support services. If you are planning to leave, do so with safety planning; risk can rise during separation. Mental-health care should support safety, not pressure forgiveness.