Understanding Reactions

Every survivor will have their own set of physical and emotional reactions. Interpersonal violence can affect many lives in many different ways.

If you have recently experienced violence, you are probably having many different feelings or reactions. People have different ways of responding to crisis and it is important to know that this is ok! There is no right or wrong way to react. In fact, your body and your mind will respond in different ways. The following are some of the most common reactions that you may encounter:

Physical Effects

changes in eating patterns
changes in sleeping patterns
eating disorders
fatigue
gastrointestinal irritability
headaches
HIV/AIDS
muscular tension
nightmares
physical injuries
pregnancy
sexually transmitted diseases
substance abuse
soreness
stress related depression
immune system responses

Emotional Effects

anger
anxiety
denial
depression, sadness
embarrassment, feeling exposed, humiliated
fear
helplessness
hopelessness
muscular tension
mood swings
numbness
obsessions/compulsions
phobias
sense of disbelief
sense of unreality
shame, guilt, self-blame
vulnerability
shock

Cognitive Effects

am I damaged goods?
am I dirty?
confusion
difficulty concentrating
flashbacks
I deserved it because...
if I forget about it, it will go away...
what if I hadn't done...?
what will people think?
why me?
will others reject me?
will they blame me?

Social Effects

changes in lifestyle
difficulty getting things accomplished
difficulty with intimacy
difficulty/apprehension around men or apprehension around persons having similar attributes to the perpetrator
discomfort around other people
disruption in sexual relations
fear of being alone
fear of leaving house (especially alone)
fear/nervousness in crowds
hypersensitivity when relating to others
loss of trust in self and others
withdrawal from people, relationships, activities

For support in processing and navigating these feelings, contact the Counseling Center .

Interpersonal Violence