Guest Blogger:
Crystal MM Huntley
A two-time published author, blogger, open advocate against abuse, and featured guest on many prominent podcasts. She writes passionately about issues closest to her heart. The stories Crystal molds stem from her own experiences. They reflect how she gained victory over the multiple forms of childhood abuse added to more than two decades of domestic abuse that she endured. In 2012, Crystal escaped that life of torment. Now, as a victor, she walks the healing path with a fervent mission to, through the gift of writing, provide inspiration and motivation to others so that they, too, can break those malevolent chains and be set free from that toxic epidemic.
https://crystalmmhuntley.com/2025/03/can-abuse-jeopardize-physical-health/
Can abuse jeopardize your physical health? The emotional toll abuse takes on a person is common knowledge, but can abuse harm the victim’s physical health? I have heard that the answer to this question is an absolute “Yes!” But how do we know that statement to be true? How can we know if a person would have developed a particular physical ailment if they had never been a victim of abuse?
Karen Robinson, my dear friend and colleague, will host a summit on trauma and health on May 30th, 2025. https://www.healthrivedream.com/Finding-Revitalization Karen has asked me to participate, yet speaking stresses me, so I have opted to write a blog. I spoke at one of her past summits, and you can purchase the replays here if interested: https://www.healthrivedream.com/all-access-summit-replays-pass/
I do not doubt that abuse wreaks havoc with a person’s mental abilities. The effects of many decades of abuse linger with me through many cognitive facets. Some of those ways include how quickly I reach mental overload. Also, I stutter and stammer, blank out, and have trouble remembering certain things. Medical personnel have assured me that the cognitive challenges I suffer from stem from the trauma I have survived. Yet, I have heard that abuse can also affect the victim’s physical health. How does someone separate innate physical challenges from those caused by trauma?
At the very least, physical disabilities would increase from the constant stress placed on the body because of an overload of adrenalin poured into their cells from the abundant time spent in flight or fight mode.
Managing Physical Health
I have learned to manage my health, so it doesn't take me out of commission. Effective management means it is crucial that I keep my stress down and not overtax myself. Whenever headaches increase to unbearable levels, and my feet burn so much that I cannot bear to have them touched, I know I have over-pushed myself and must take time out to rest. When my body aches like one does when they have the flu, or my hands and wrists swell and hurt, that is my cue that I have been working too hard and need to take it easy.
If the stress of an overload of daily activities can cause problems, such as what I described, could the continuous stress on a body caused by sustained abuse bring on problems that manifest as chronic illnesses? I don’t know the answer to that question, but I can’t deny its possibility.
It seems as if health issues have ruled my life. Every so often, I need a hiatus from medical appointments and refuse to attend any so I can focus on living life. But then my need for medical help rises, and I must go back to filling empty spaces on my calendar with appointments. How I wish I didn’t have to exist like this. At these times, I changed my thought process. I focus on gratitude toward the many medical professionals who have helped me have a better quality of life and my ability to access them. Not everyone who needs such a resource has this blessing. I must remain grateful, for it strengthens my health.
Effects of Abuse on Physical Health
Placing a solid name on whatever disables me, much of my life has been like a cat chasing his tail. For nearly two decades, my doctors had me diagnosed under the title of Sticklers Syndrome. Then, as diagnostic abilities improved, they wanted to redo genetic testing. As a result, they changed my diagnosis to Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, but a definite conclusion still escapes us.
The monumental question still looms. Is the diagnosis correct this time? Could my health issue be Lupis or something else? My symptoms point toward that possibility. Because of this ever-pressing question, rheumatology keeps a close eye on me, watching my symptoms develop. All I know is that my health issues are real. They have significantly limited my existence since childhood, and they continue to worsen with each passing year.
This increase in symptoms has caused me often to worry about what my future will look like. The only thing that settles that concern and comforts me is my faith and trust in my Lord. My loving Savior has taken supreme care of me and carried me through every fire that has raged within my lifetime. Only because of my Lord’s loving nature am I where I am today. I trust my Savior, knowing that no matter what the future brings, God will continue to care for me. To see more Crystalisms, go to https://www.facebook.com/groups/1360983917796761.
Abuse Permanently Changes a Person
Abuse permanently changes a person. We victims have no control over that fact. However, we have an element of control over how we allow it to change us. As an example, I never used to stutter until things got so severe that, for my safety, I had to escape to the protection of a shelter for abused women. That fact alone indicates that trauma has caused the onset of this handicap. I don't know if my stuttering is a physical or mental handicap. However, whichever category it falls under, this handicap has changed my life by giving me a new challenge to manage.
In many of my previous blog posts, I’ve shared bits and pieces of the abuse I have survived over the first 46 years of my life. Here is just one of the many posts that share elements of the abusive past I have overcome. https://crystalmmhuntley.com/2023/10/speak-your-truth-part-1-how-to-claim-your-value/.
Can Abuse Jeopardize Physical Health?
Circling back to the question I asked at the beginning of this blog, can abuse jeopardize physical health? It makes perfect sense that the answer to this question is yes. With that thought in mind, I often wonder what my life and state of health would be like if abuse hadn’t been such a dominant factor in my existence.
But dwelling on that question only robs me of even more joy. I refuse to give my abusers this victory. Instead, I chose to make the best of what I have and use my experiences to help encourage and guide other victims of abuse to turn what they have suffered through into strengths. Drawing on those strengths will better themselves. They then can move on victoriously and better our world.
If you are one of those victims who frequent my blog and read my books, I want you to know I keep you in mind whenever I write. Instead of accepting suffering from the wounds of my past, I place that energy into ways to strengthen you to help you break free from those chains of abuse that have bound you. The more of us who stand victorious together, the more strength we place into this world. Together, we can stomp out abuse. I pray you will join me in this mission. As we unite, we strengthen each other.
