The risk of developing Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) in women who have experienced domestic abuse is twice the rate of those who have not experienced domestic abuse.A study examined GP records between 1995 and 2017 and compared notes from 18,547 women whom had suffered domestic abuse against 74,188 who had not and the results were clear that domestic abuse was a factor when developing this long term illnesses.
This finding adds to the research already being undertaking as regards the physical and psychological effects of domestic abuse.A previous study in 2019 showed that domestic abuse victims were 3 times more likely to develop a severe mental illness.
It is important for clinicians to bear in mind when treating women who have experienced domestic abuse they are at a greater risk of these conditions.Around 27.1% of women experience domestic abuse with their intimate partner being the perpetrator.“Domestic abuse is a global public health issue, with as many as one in three women affected world-wide” says Dr Joht Singh Chandan, of the University of Birmingham’s Institute of Applied Health Research and Warwick Medical School.
There is an awareness that domestic abuse has significant negative effects for victims and their children. This shows a strong association with several diseases suggesting that the costs of abuse are even greater than understood previously says Professor Siddhartha Bandyopadhyay, of the University of Birmingham’s Business School’s Department of Economics and Centre for Crime, Justice and Policing.
Professor Julie Taylor, of the University of Birmingham’s School of Nursing, said: “Survivors of domestic abuse can experience immense physiological and psychological stress.”
“The changes happen in the body as a result of such stress can lead to a multitude of poor health outcomes such as what we see in our study here.”
It is important to note that not all domestic abuse survivors develop these conditions and that having the condition of Fibromyalgia and CFS does not mean the patient has suffered domestic abuse.
The team here at Ramsdens Solicitors support and assist victims of domestic and sexual abuse. The team also work closely with various domestic abuse services that can provide further help and assistance for matters such as security at home and safety.
If you would like to speak with a member of our Family team then please call us on 08000 147720 or send us an email to book a free information session at any of our offices across Yorkshire.