Are you in a relationship with someone who controls, threatens or scares you?
As a health care provider, Swedish Hospital is concerned about how your relationship may be affecting your health.
Does your partner or former partner ever…
- Call you names or make you feel bad about yourself?
- Blame you for his/her abusive behavior?
- Make you feel afraid?
- Control what you wear, where you go, or who you talk with?
- Make you do things you don’t want to do?
- Hit, kick, punch or choke you?
- Force you into unwanted sexual activity?
- Monitor who you are calling or texting with your phone?
- Control your access to money or keep you from getting a job?
Your relationship may be affecting your health…
In addition to any physical injuries from violence, the stress of living with a partner who threatens or controls you can affect your health in other ways.
Physical and emotional effects of abusive relationships can include:
- Chronic headaches, backaches and abdominal pain.
- Feeling depressed and/or anxious.
- Drinking or using drugs as a way to cope.
- Losing or gaining weight.
- Suffering from insomnia and/or fatigue.
- Difficulty managing a chronic illness like hypertension, asthma or diabetes.
You are not alone. There is help available.
It can be very difficult to know what to do when you are in a relationship with someone who treats you in these ways. You may just want to talk with someone, even if you are going to stay in the relationship. You may want to find out what your options are in case you decide to leave.
There are domestic violence agencies in the community that can help you look for a safe place to stay, make safety plans, get an order of protection or other legal help, and get counseling for yourself and your kids.
Get Help
For free, confidential services from a community agency, call
773-334-4663
800-603-4357 (Spanish)
773-334-4663 (Arabic)
773-583-0880 (Korean)
773-334-4663 (Urdu)
