“3 Shocking Disorders that Result from Abuse”

I’ve seen the devastating aftermath of abuse first hand, with regards to my body, mind, and spirit.

I’ve had chronic pain, headaches, and fatigue. I’ve endured mania and delusions. I’ve participated in an exorcism, where I was the one being “exercised.”

All of these things are real consequences of abuse but today we’ll talk about some of the mental disorders that result from abuse.

 Dissociation

Dissociation is defined as a break in how the mind processes sensory information.

In other words, it’s a distortion in how we experience the world around us and even the world inside us. It can make us feel like we’re a million miles away from our own lives.

Dissociation can make things feel harder, and experiences less real. Mental illness robs us of the “awe factor”, the amazement of what it’s like to simply live.

How long will it last?

• a short time
• a prolonged time
• a lifetime

We dissociate from our bodies but also from…

• emotions
• thoughts
• experiences

Maladaptive Autonomic Regulation

Maladaptive autonomic regulation is a disorder of the autonomic nervous system and if you have PTSD, it’s likely you have maladaptive autonomic regulation.

It occurs when the sympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for fight or flight, is overactive.

What are the symptoms?

•  impaired immunity
• problems with digestion
• toxin buildup

Functional Neurological Disorder

Functional Neurological Disorder is a problem with the functioning of the nervous system. It’s also been historically ignored by doctors.

Since there isn’t any physical evidence of damage to the nervous system, patients are often accused of “having it all in their head.”

What are the symptoms?

• limb weakness
•  paralysis
• non-epileptic seizures
• tremors
• spasms
• speech problems

These are just a few of the symptoms.

These are a few of the disorders that can result from abuse, but it’s important that we learn to recognize them.

I hope that by becoming more informed, we can better understand ourselves and the world around us in order to show empathy and compassion for those who really need it.

Do you suffer from any of these disorders? Were you abused? We’d love to hear your story.

Until next time, THINK, FEEL, ACT, HEAL.

Much Love, many Blessings, Jesus is Lord. ✝️

Please do check out our complementary video for this post below.

References

Butler, Bernadette., Long, Lisa (June 19^th, 2017). Sexual Assault. The Obstetrician & Gynecologist.

https://obgyn.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/tog.12474

Dale, L. P., Carroll, L. E., Galen, G., Hayes, J. A., Webb, K. W., & Porges, S. W. (2009). Abuse History is related to Autonomic Regulation to Mild Exercise and Psychological Wellbeing. Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, 34(4), 299–308. https://doi-org.lopes.idm.oclc.org/10.1007/s10484-009-9111-4

Klanecky, A., McChargue, D. E., & Bruggeman, L. (2012). Desire to Dissociate: Implications for Problematic Drinking in College Students with Childhood or Adolescent Sexual Abuse Exposure. The American Journal on Addictions, 21(3), 250–256. https://doi-org.lopes.idm.oclc.org/10.1111/j.1521-0391.2012.00228.x

Nazarov, A., Frewen, P., Parlar, M., Oremus, C., MacQueen, G., McKinnon, M., & Lanius, R. (2014). Theory of mind performance in women with posttraumatic stress disorder related to childhood abuse. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 129(3), 193–201. https://doi-org.lopes.idm.oclc.org/10.1111/acps.12142

 Van der Feltz-Cornelis, C. M., Allen, S. F., & Van Eck van der Sluijs, J. F. (2020). Childhood sexual abuse predicts treatment outcome in conversion disorder/functional neurological disorder. An observational longitudinal study. Brain and Behavior, 10(3). https://doi-org.lopes.idm.oclc.org/10.1002/brb3.1558

Winzeler, K., Voellmin, A., Hug, E., Kirmse, U., Helmig, S., Princip, M., Cajochen, C., Bader, K., & Wilhelm, F. H. (2017). Adverse childhood experiences and autonomic regulation in response to acute stress: The role of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. Anxiety, Stress & Coping: An International Journal, 30(2), 145–154. https://doi-org.lopes.idm.oclc.org/10.1080/10615806.2016.1238076