Study: Women who are exposed to domestic violence face the risk of mental illness

Health and Medical

According to a medical study, women who suffer domestic violence physically or psychologically are doubly at risk of mental illness.

The study, published in the June issue of the British Journal of Psychiatry, showed that women may have about three times the history of mental illness, such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

"Given the prevalence of domestic abuse, it is important to understand the extent of the association between the two and to consider whether there are possible opportunities to improve the lives of women with domestic abuse," said Dr. Joeth Singh Chandan, a professor at the School of Public Health at New York University. : "We need a clear public health approach to prevent violence and abuse of the most vulnerable women"He said.

Mental illness

US researchers have examined data from more than 18,000 women who reported to UK general practitioners about domestic violence. Their doctors found that about 50 percent of these women had a form of mental illness compared with 24 percent of a control group, and after considering other factors that could Affect mental health and domestic abuse, the study found that survivors of family abuse had about three times the risk of mental illness.

For women victims of domestic violence, experts say, medical professionals and policymakers should provide more resources to reduce their negative effects on mental health.

"This study sheds light on the bi-directional relationship between victimization and mental illness, including serious mental illness, and bears a very important warning that we are missing out on opportunities to detect the abuse that occurs all over the world," said Dr. Pina Rajkumar, a researcher at the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Britain. In order to be a clear priority for public services so that more effective interventions for this vulnerable group of women can be developed urgently "He said.