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Anushka* suffered seven traumatic brain injuries at the hands of her violent former husband. She explained how he would beat her up with his bare hands and use chairs, cutlery, crockery, hangers, vases – anything convenient – to attack her. He was jailed for his campaign of abuse.
Anushka, a 40-year-old former banker, recalls being physically attacked numerous times and knocked to the ground by her abuser. She describes how he would continue to kick her head like a football despite her pleas for him to stop.
“Subsequently, he would forcefully grip my head and repeatedly hit it against the floor while letting out angry screams.”
Anushka’s tragic experience coincides with groundbreaking findings that reveal 50% of individuals who have suffered from domestic abuse in England and Wales may have sustained a brain injury. This is a significantly higher prevalence compared to a global study, which reported that only around 1 in 12 people in the general population have experienced a similar traumatic event.
Brainkind, a charity, interviewed 60 women who were victims of domestic violence. Out of those, approximately 55% had been subjected to violence, indicating that they may have sustained a brain injury, as determined by the assessments conducted by the researchers.
A variety of events, including physical assault, car accidents, falls, and other accidents, can cause a traumatic brain injury. These injuries can have lasting effects on a person’s cognition and behavior, and may also make it more difficult to manage feelings of anger.
Approximately 80% of the 60 females experienced a significant blow to the head, while 75% had been restrained in a manner that prevented them from breathing at least once.
It took me half a decade to regain some stability in my physical well-being.
The research revealed that individuals who showed signs of a brain injury were at a higher risk for struggling with significant post-concussion symptoms, as well as feelings of depression and post-traumatic stress.
Anushka may have successfully fled from her husband, but the trauma of his abuse continues to haunt her every day as she suffers from multiple brain injuries.
“I spent five years attempting to regain my health and find some stability,” she explains. “Last year, I was extremely ill due to my brain injuries. I experienced a relapse, with all my symptoms returning – including trembling hands and dangerously low blood pressure. Health professionals have warned me multiple times that organ failure could lead to death. I have been hospitalized in the past and immediately put on a drip and given medication.”
She also remembered: “Feeling ill. Forgetting things. I couldn’t recall taking a shower an hour ago. Being unable to drive, take a train, or do anything independently. Experiencing dizziness.”
Anushka, who is under a permanent restraining order from her former spouse, revealed that she was mostly confined to her bed during the summer. She mentioned that the traumatic brain injuries had greatly affected her emotional well-being, leading to thoughts of suicide. The abuse inflicted by her ex-husband also resulted in severe post-traumatic stress disorder.
Anushka shared that her former partner’s domestic abuse ultimately led to her losing her long-standing successful career in banking, her home, her health, and her familiar way of life. She also revealed that he destroyed her credit score by accumulating debt under their shared mortgage and continues to harass her through intermediaries.
Anushka shares that she was a victim of domestic violence, which included psychological, economic, and physical abuse from her ex-partner. Through this experience, she discovered that she had suffered from multiple post-traumatic brain injuries.
Having a brain injury increases the chances of experiencing mental health problems.
Stephanie Bechelet, a researcher studying domestic abuse and its impact on brain injuries.
According to Stephanie Bechelet, a researcher of domestic abuse and brain injury who participated in the study, brain injuries can lead to feelings of sadness, worry, and clinical depression.
“Individuals with a brain injury have an increased chance of experiencing mental health problems,” she explains. “This can manifest in various ways, including severe cases of suicidal thoughts. The symptoms of trauma and brain injury often intersect, making it difficult to accurately diagnose.”
Some additional signs of brain injury include excessive tiredness, difficulty sleeping, a sense of confusion, head pain, and difficulty focusing, according to her statement.
Dr. Bechelet expressed her desire for the study to increase awareness among healthcare providers, law enforcement, social workers, lawyers, and individuals in the field of domestic abuse regarding the high occurrence of brain injuries in victims.
Although the sample size of 60 is limited, Dr. Bechelet pointed out that it is similar to other relevant studies. She stated that a majority of the research on brain injuries in the UK is outdated, resulting in an incomplete understanding of the extent of this problem.
She expressed that there is a limited understanding of brain injuries, even beyond the scope of domestic violence. The goal is to utilize this research to create resources and education for professionals who assist survivors.
The report by Brainkind emphasizes the need for a better understanding of the link between brain injuries and health disparities among survivors of domestic abuse. It also urges potential revisions to the 2021 Domestic Abuse Act to include a more thorough understanding of the consequences of brain injuries.
Anushka clarified that her former spouse admitted guilt for multiple attacks that resulted in her brain injuries, as well as acknowledging responsibility for engaging in coercive and controlling behavior.
Anushka stated that he had engaged in sexual activities with multiple partners during their marriage. She also revealed that he had profiles on various dating websites, falsely claiming to be single while still being married to her.
According to her, he seemed very charming when they first met because narcissistic individuals have a certain charm that comes from their skill of imitating others. “You get drawn in and then eventually you realize the facade is gone, and by then you are bonded through trauma,” she explained.
During their relationship, Anushka’s husband would often threaten to kill her and force her to wake up at 6am to pack his lunch and do his laundry before she went to work. She often felt exhausted due to being woken up in the middle of the night to be abused.
Anushka’s identity has been protected by changing her name.
If you need assistance or guidance, please reach out to the National Domestic Abuse Helpline at 0808 2000 247, available 24/7 every day of the year. You can also visit their website at www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk.
Source: independent.co.uk
