Preschoolers who witness domestic violence, may revert to the habits of younger children: thumb sucking, bedwetting, increased crying, and whining.
School-aged children can develop anti-social traits, struggle with guilt over the abuse witnessed and take on the blame for the abuse their parent deals with. Domestic violence has ability to cause post-traumatic stress disorder in children that are raised around it.
The trauma of domestic violence is enough to cause dangerous changes in the developing brains of children, including nightmares, changes in sleep patterns, anger, irritability, difficulty concentrating.
Routinely witnessing domestic violence places children at a high risk of developing depression, sadness, concentration issues into adulthood. In some instances, children that live in abusive households are also likely to fall victim to this treatment themselves.
If you are a victim or survivor of domestic abuse seeking help:
National Hotline: 1-800-799 SAFE (7233); 1-800-787-3224 (TDD)