Battered Person Syndrome

DisclaimerThis page is not here to be used as a self-diagnosis, self-identification, or promotion - it's simply here to be informational. Whether or not one self-diagnoses, self-identifies, and/or seeks a professional diagnosis is up to them.AbuseThe following page includes discussions of abuse, including verbal, physical, neglect, sexual (**SA also has its own warning**), etc. If you are uncomfortable or get triggered by this topic, it is recommended to not read this page.

**Battered Person Syndrome**, more commonly known as **Battered Woman Syndrome**, can be a product of long-term domestic abuse. Battered person syndrome is considered a subcategory of PTSD.

In the 1970s, "battered woman syndrome" began being used as a legal defense to explain the mental state of woman who kill their abusers. Coined by psychologist Lenore Walker, she proposed the term to describe the psychological condition of women who endured repeated traumas at the hands of an intimate partner, including the coping or survival skills a victim would develop over time to live with abuse.

## Stages of Battered Person Syndrome

Because of the unique circumstances that different individuals may find themselves in, battered person syndrome may not look the same in everyone who lives with it.

That being said, there are generally thought to be four stages of battered person syndrome:

* **Denial**: The individual is unable to accept that they're being abused, or they justify it as being "just that once".
* **Guilt**: The individual believes they caused the abuse.
* **Enlightenment**: In this phase, the individual realizes that they didn't deserve the abuse and acknowledges that their partner is abusive.
* **Responsibility**: The individual accepts that only the abuser holds responsibility for the abuse. In many cases, this is when they'll explore their options for leaving the relationship.

## Signs & Symptoms

Battered person syndrome results from several distinct symptoms. An individual in an abusive relationship may:

* Think the abuse is their fault.
* Hide the abuse from friends and family.
* Fear for their lives or the lives of their children.
* Believe that the abuser is all-knowing and can see their every movement.
* Be afraid and never know what side of their partner they'll see that day.

### Warning Signs

If concerned about a family member or friend, watch for several important symptoms that could signal that they're in an abusive relationship and need help.

* Withdrawing and making excuses not to see friends or family or do activities they once did.
* Seeming anxious around their partner or afraid of their partner.
* Having frequent bruises or injuries they lie about or can't explain.
* Having limited access to money, credit cards, or transportation.
* Showing an extreme difference in personality.
* Getting frequent calls from a significant other, especially calls that require them to check in or make them seem anxious.
* Having a partner who has a temper, become jealous easily, or is very possessive.
* Wearing clothes that could be hiding bruises, like long-sleeve shirts in the summer.

### Side-Effects

Several serious side effects are associated with battered person syndrome.

#### Short-Term Effects

Short term effects that may be seen immediately include:

* Depression.
* Lowered self-esteem.
* Damaged relationships with friends and family.
* Severe anxiety.
* Feeling worthless or hopeless.
* Feeling like they have no control.

#### Long-Term Effects

Research has shown that battered person syndrome and domestic abuse can result in long-term health consequences that can last for decades. Long term effects can include:

* PTSD-like symptoms, including flashbacks, dissociative states, and violent outbursts against their abuser.
* Health issues caused by stress, such as high blood pressure and associated cardiac problems.
* Health issues from the physical abuse, such as damaged joints or arthritis.
* Chronic back pain or headaches.
* Increase risk of developing diabetes, asthma, depression, and immune dysfunction due to long-term stress.

## Causes

Battered person syndrome is caused by domestic abuse. While it's something that can happen between intimate partners, the term "domestic abuse" is an umbrella term that can include things like child or elder abuse, too.

Domestic abuse between intimate partners typically follow a certain cycle:

* The abuser will win over a new partner, often moving quickly into a relationship with tactics like "love bombing", grand romantic gestures, and pressuring for early commitment.
* The abuser will be emotionally or physically abusive. This often starts small, like a slap instead of a punch or punching the wall next to their partner.
* The abuser will feel guilty, swearing they'll never do it again, and be overly romantic to win their partner over.
* There will be a temporary "honeymoon" period, where the abuser is on their best behavior, luring their partner into thinking that they're safe and things will be different.
* Abuse occurs, starting the cycle all over again.

Individuals become trapped in abusive relationships for many reasons, which can include:

* Financial dependence on the abuser, which the abuser often manufactures.
* Wanting to have a complete family unit for their children's sake.
* Being afraid to leave.
* Disbelief or denial that the partner is actually abusive.
* Severe depression or low self-esteem that makes them think the abuse is their fault.
* Believing that if the abuser loves them, it's okay, and they can change their behavior.

As an individual who becomes trapped in the cycle of abuse, battered person syndrome can develop. This syndrome makes it difficult for individuals to regain control of their lives.

## Recovery

The first step in treating battered person syndrome is to get the individual to a safe place away from their abuser.

If someone is living with battered person syndrome, one can form a safety plan and a getaway plan without the abuser. It's also good to have a doctor examine any injuries that may have been sustained in the abuse.

A therapist experienced in PTSD or domestic abuse should be consulted.

## References

https://www.healthline.com/health/battered-woman-syndrome

https://www.domesticshelters.org/articles/legal/what-is-battered-woman-syndrome