Repeated abuse has long lasting pernicious and traumatic effects such as panic attacks, hypervigilance, sleep disturbances, flashbacks (intrusive memories), suicidal ideation, and psychosomatic symptoms. The victims experience shame, depression, anxiety, embarrassment, guilt, humiliation, abandonment, and an enhanced sense of vulnerability.
In “Stalking – An Overview of the Problem” (Can J Psychiatry 1998;43:473476), authors Karen M Abrams and Gail Erlick Robinson write:
“Initially, there is often much denial by the victim. Over time, however, the stress begins to erode the victims life and psychological brutalization results. Sometimes the victim develops an almost fatal resolve that, inevitably, one day she will be murdered. Victims, unable to live a normal life, describe feeling stripped of self-worth and dignity. Personal control and resources, psychosocial development, social support, premorbid personality traits, and the severity of the stress may all influence how the victim experiences and responds to it … Victims stalked by ex-lovers may experience additional guilt and lowered self-esteem for perceived poor judgement in...