How do victims of domestic violence deal with post traumatic stress disoder?

1) Recognition from others and themselves that violence is unnacceptable, that it is illegal, that they don't have to live that way, that its not their fault and no-one 'asks for it'.
2) Practical and emotional support to leave and not go back.
3) Fresh start with a new attitude
4) Cognitive behaviour therapy to understand why they put up with it for so long, how to recognise it earlier in future, gain assertiveness and self confidence and self esteem.
5) Support from others especially authority in keeping spouse away nd dealing with him/her in case of harrasment.

Dealing with this alone is extremely difficult; there's too much pressure to stay and put up with it.

It's different for everyone but I found the Abuse Support Board at ivillage an absolute lifeline. I have never found any other like it and it probably saved my sanity! Report It

The best treatment is to see a counselor along with a psychiatrist. It can be quite miserable to live with those feeling without having anyway to release them. Also, having a friend to talk to that you can trust can help too.

a counsellor is good i have gone through it dont keep it bottled up please

Check out (http://www.reducingstress.net ) there is a lot of great articles and expert advice on the subject there.

I sufferered from PTSD when I was fourteen I met a Child and Adolescent Pyschiatrist who was a practioner of a Therapy called Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) 5 sessions lasting 90mins each got rid of my symptoms of nightmares, anxiety, paranoia and worst hallucenations.

yes. trust me it can haunt u till the day u die.

every time i hear about or talk to victims,because victims are what anyone who suffers from domestic violence are either directly or indirectly normally the victim or victims have a tendency to attach blame on themselves.
directly is the person to whom the violence is done to,and very often of its a case of-if i had not done or said that.or i should have kept quIEt.
indirectly the victims are normally children,ie sat in their bedrooms listening to the violence,and somehow thinking its their fault.
either case is traumatic and may never fully leave your thoughts,unfortunately it also a fact that domestic violence can cause a cycle of violence for years to come.
the best and possibly only therapy is to talk.
sorry i could not wave a magic wand.
mike

There is a couple of answers, going to your doctors to get help, they can refer you to specialist who deal with this also one to one theaphy, You need to build the strength back up from inside you. Then theres support groups many people at first think this wouldnt be for them, but being around others that you know have been through similar and understand what you are going through really helps. There is womens aid they can put you in touch and in the telephone book they list groups and organziations that can help. But family too, this may be hard but if you have suffered abuse on any level and have children living with you, you really need to open the conversations with them, all suffer weather being beaten or hearing the beatings as you know only to well, with children there are special councilors that help, again the phone book. Should the stress be to much remember pick up the phone maybe a friend you know and trust who knows you can help, so that when in the night or a time during the day that you feared the most has you scared because there will be moments you forget it has ended, well call your friend arrange a code word with them that you just say on the phone to you friend and they will know, At times you wont be able to speak so it let then know that you need a voice in your ear to take away the fear. I was once a voice for a friend. She call say the code and i would chat about anything and everything, sometimes she would laugh and other times cry. She though myself nuts when i suggested it but it work, so try getting help from those who trained and those who went through it, and those who are friends. Dont give up on yourself you have already taken many huge steps showing how great and strong you really are, well done, take care and i wish you well.

ME?? personally..I shut down..still am

What I did was imagine a big room with a huge beautiful persion rug. Under the rug was all my anxiety and pain. When I would have a flash back to a painful experience. I would close my eyes and say, gosh that sucked. I will no longer sweep those feelings under the rug. I will face it, then throw it into the depts of the ocean. Tell yourself it is time to stop the bad memory from taking away your happiness.

When you go to sleep at night. Tell yourself, that the abuse is no longer here and you can take care of yourself. The power of suggestion to the brain is powerful.

Just be sure you don't repeat the domestic violence. Be the onj who stops the family pattern.

group and/or individual therapy is best

Through lots of counseling and caring friends/family.

Some can and do, some can't.

That's it.

One day at a time.Everything takes time.

I know but I don't write your question's answer

PTSD resources: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/HealthInformatio...

http://www.ncptsd.va.gov/

http://www.ptsdalliance.org/

Go to your Doctor and take your meds...Get out of your head .Live for today....

Zoloft and therapy. Write in a journal

get counselling. n make sure u ave supportive friends

There is one right way...Professional Help.....that's too tall an order for over the fence therapy.

counselling or suicide..take yer pick

Go to a therapist for counseling. I also recommend acupuncture/ herbs as well. If you are to go to someone, look for an acupuncturist who specialized in Five-Element Acupuncture (Spiritual and mental-health acupuncture).

Don't be a victim anymore. Create a new life for yourself one day at a time, and focus on the future. When the past comes to haunt you remind yourself your moving forward, and that every experience you have ever had (the good, the bad, the ugly)makes you the wonderful person you are today. Bless the past and move on.

With the right support network and I suggest counseling.

Learning to set boundaries that are safe and also overcoming p[anic and PTSD is a process. IMO it can be done.

Know thyself