In cases of domestic violence, e.g., where there is repeated physical and/or psychological abuse, the partner and children are often traumatized by the abusive behavior. Serious psychological problems, such as chronic anxiety, debilitating depression, and/or alcohol or drug abuse, occur regularly in these families. Among the children growing up in such a household, nightmares, difficulty concentrating, irritability, and regressive behavior are common. And the traumatic effects of experiencing the abuse themselves or of witnessing their mother repeatedly beaten can last a lifetime.
