Battered Woman Syndrome – Symptoms, Court Cases & Treatment

Battered Woman Syndrome Definition

Battered Woman Syndrome is believed to be a type of Post Traumatic Stress. Battered Woman Syndrome is an accepted mental disorder characterized by a person who has been suffering from constant and/or grave domestic brutality. To be recognized as a battered woman, a person has to have been suffering from two cycles of maltreatment.

Battered Woman Syndrome pictures Battered Woman Syndrome   Symptoms, Court Cases & Treatment

Symptoms & Signs

The following are the signs and symptoms of Battered Woman Syndrome:

  1. The woman must have been suffering from two cycles of domestic violence. The cycle consists of three stages. The first phase is called as the tension-building stage. The second stage is the explosion or acute battering incident. It will be followed by the third stage called as the honeymoon phase characterized by a calm and loving respite. The cycle will continue again and again.
  2. The woman always believes that it is her fault why the violence and abuse happens.
  3. The woman is incapable of putting the responsibility of the abuse somewhere else.
  4. The woman is afraid for her life and her children’s lives.
  5. The woman considered the abuser as omnipresent and omniscient.

According to studies the abuse from the husband was brought about by his emotional insecurities, low self confidence and he may have a history of abusive family rather than problems with relationship.

Court Cases (Defense)

  1. Battered woman syndrome is considered a criminal self-defense concerning a design of mental reliance among women trapped in long-standing affairs with their abusive husbands or partners.
  2. After a while, violence creates an illogical psychological condition of “learned helplessness,” restraining freedom of choice and putting victims of violence in a coil of struggle that seldom leads in a brutal and at times deadly reaction above which they have no reasonable power.
  3. The conventional lawful notion of self-defense depends on a competition of equals more characteristic of struggles between men. The advocates of the defense claim unlawful intention subjects in the traditional principles of self-defense are insufficient to give an explanation on men-women struggles.
  4. Although the battered women syndrome defense has been reasoned effectively in a lot of cases, it has been challenged by psychologists and legal academics.

Treatment

The following are the treatment for battered woman syndrome:

  1. Make an escape out of your house by any means. Get ready to settle with a friend, or relative. Get what is sensitively significant or sentimental. The remainder can be restored. It might take more than a year. Nevertheless sooner or later you can put it back. They are merely worldly things.
  2. Get a restraining order. The accountability is currently yours to use it. Countless times the abuser pleads, weeps, look for pardon, makes use of the children and will use any tactics they can invoke to have you in return. Do not give in, call the police and makes use of your restraint order.
  3. Notify your employer and workplace. Your husband will frequently come near you while you are working. He will call you at work and even attempt to disrupt your job.
  4. Look for an excellent therapist. You might have to consult one or two until you discover the appropriate one for you. Kindly remain in therapy. This is a lengthy course. Bear in mind you have been violated for long and therapy will take more than few sessions.
  5. Supervise your children, observe if they require a therapist, and check their grades from school. Based on their age, they will have a difficult time inquiring reasons why they can’t see their Dad.
  6. Make yourself powerful. You should gradually get powerful, believe in your choices, and appreciate your capacities. You have suffered emotionally and perhaps physically as well.
  7. Learn from the past, but do not dwell on it because it will be counterproductive. Create your own new path.
  8. Try different treatments. Medications can help you for a short period of time. Spiritual therapy and group therapy are both effective. In group therapy you will come to know different women who also share the same problem you have. You are not alone.
  9. More likely because of the violence you lost your friends or you do not have any contact with them at the moment. Try to give them a call now, you are now free.

Call your parents and talk to them about what had happened. Share the truth with them. Spend your time with your family. Their love and support will greatly help with your treatment.

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2 Responses to “Battered Woman Syndrome – Symptoms, Court Cases & Treatment”

  • paula says:

    i was in this situation a number of years ago i didnt believe then nor do i believe now that it was my fault.the blame was truly his,, he was a bastard true and true he has bad blood so i dont think it is always the case that women blame themselves, not always,

    • Dr. Peach says:

      Paula, what you may have experienced is simple physical violence (i mean simple because there is no cognitive problem in you thinking that it is your fault). battered woman syndrome is a combination of physical abuse from your spouse, feeling that you are dependent on him and thinking that it is your fault (that’s why the term syndrome). You may be lucky than other women because those who really have battered woman syndrome has more difficultly getting out of the relationship. But acquiring physical violence or any form of violence is really difficult so women should stay empowered.


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