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Just Stalking
  • Home
  • About
    • About Just Stalking
    • History/Development
  • "I have a stalker!" Steps
    • Just Quick Steps & Logs
    • Just Six Stages
    • Red Flags & Violence
    • Victim & Stalker Profiles
    • Two-Weeks - Recurrence
    • Stalking-by-Proxy
  • Special Victims Unit
    • Same-Gender
    • Men-Victims/Women Stalker
    • False Victimization (FVS)
    • Military & Vets
    • College
    • Juvenile Stalking
  • Security Tips
    • Personal Security
    • Cyber/Online Tips
    • Residence Security Tips
    • Car/Travel Security Tips
    • Office/Work Security Tips
    • Self-Defense Classes
    • First Aid/CPR
  • MD Victims' Rights & Laws
    • MD & Relevant Laws
    • Victims' Rights/Process
    • Restitution/Compensation
    • Address Confidentiality
    • Criminal Justice Barriers
  • Professional & Workplace
    • Non-Family Violence (NFV)
    • Workplace: Police
    • Professional Victims
    • NFV Recommendations
  • DV/IPV & Intrafamilial
    • Partner Stalking
    • Just Provider Tips
  • Cyberstalking
    • Stalkerware
    • CousinStalkingDNABullying
  • Maryland County Resources
    • Western, Maryland
    • Greater Baltimore, MD
    • Capital Metro, Maryland
    • Eastern Shore, Maryland
    • Southern, Maryland
  • Just Global
    • National
    • International
  • Formal& Informal Resource
    • Mental Health & Stalking
    • Physical Health &Stalking
    • Resilience
    • Bystander Resources
  • Advocacy
    • Advocating for Policies
    • Legislative Goals
  • Contact Us

PHYSICAL HEALTH CONDITIONS COOCCUR WITH STALKING

Stalking can exacerbate poor Health

Physical health outcomes of stalking, independent of domestic violence, sexual and physical assault(s), have not been as thoroughly researched. However, some research does exist, and some inferences can be made based on the existing literature. According to the CDC (2022) report on stalking, there are some difference between mens' and women' health outcomes. However, some consistencies emerged such as asthma, frequent headaches, chronic pain, insomnia, and blindness. This is consistent with the existing literature, suggesting that in particular, stalking victims suffer from sleep disturbances, which are strongly correlated with poor mental health outcomes (Logan, et al., 2006). As well as chronic pain which is highly associated with trauma (Ballan, et al., 2022).

Contact 911 in an emergency

If you have any physical health emergencies that are new to you, please contact 911, go to the hospital, or contact your local physician, if it is not an emergency.

Call: 911

Physical health conditions and effects

Sleep disturbance

Sleep disturbance

Sleep disturbance

The CDC (2022) found that men and women identified difficulty sleeping as being linked to stalking victimization compared to controls. Logan, et al. (2006) identified some of the reasons for this in researching partner-stalking; including, nightmares, worry, distractions, poor-habits, and pain. Sleeping more than 8hrs per night, or less than 6hrs per night, has been associated with higher mortality rates.

Link: The Neurology Center for Sleep Disorders

headache

Sleep disturbance

Sleep disturbance

Men and women have identified more frequent headaches compared to reference groups according to the CDC (2022).

Link: Neurology Center: Migraines

irritable bowel

Sleep disturbance

Women have identified Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) compared to reference groups according to the CDC (2022). Logan, et al. (2006) also identified significant eating pattern changes in the majority of the participants in her partner-stalking study, this may suggest a contributor, or may be a result of such.

difficulty hearing &/or seeing

Men and women have described serious difficulty seeing, even blindness, compared to reference groups according to the CDC (2022). Men also reported difficulty hearing,  though no reports of deafness.

Link: BLIND INDUSTRIES & SERVICES OF MARYLAND

asthma

asthma

The CDC (2022) report found that both men and women stalking victims reported higher rates of asthma compared to others. This is not surprising as, Logan, et al. (2006) also found that partner stalking victims also reported shortness of breath associated with stress. These findings have been associated with increased susceptibility to colds, flus, and allergies which impact the immune system (Logan, et al., 2006).

pain

asthma

Ballan, et al. (2022) found a link between psychological "abuse" and chronic pain, suggesting that those experiencing more pain severity had experienced more trauma. This harkens back to Logan, et al. (2006) partner-stalking study, where the majority of women reported experiencing pain that interfered with their daily-functioning at least once a week. The CDC (2022) research tends to concur with these findings, for both men and women, finding that chronic pain was experienced more than reference groups. 

Link: Healthpointe Acupuncture and Wellness

acute injury

exacerbation of chronic health condition/injury

exacerbation of chronic health condition/injury

Acute injuries can range from superficial to severe; these are common in women who have sustained partner assault and/or sexual assault. While this may not be a direct factor in stalking, it can occur as an indirect result of stalking, such as in an attempt to flee from being pursued.

exacerbation of chronic health condition/injury

exacerbation of chronic health condition/injury

exacerbation of chronic health condition/injury

Prior research suggests those with disabilities are at greater risk for violence and stalking (CDC, 2022). Women in Logan, et al. (2006) study reported increase in blood pressure, this can be related to the stalking behaviors or associated stress of court-requirements, or moving, etc. The CDC (2022), however, found women had significantly lower blood pressure, and men had no significant changes compared to reference groups.

He asked me why my blood pressure stayed up so much and i told him my ex-husband, I was always stressed out. He said, "It will get better in time, quit complaining about it. You'll forget about it if you just quit complaining. You're making most of the trouble." he offer[ed] anything but Klonopin.


Logan, et al., 2006, p. 219

Barriers to Physical Health Care

Affordability

Affordability

Affordability

Lack of insurance, associated costs such as co-pays, and other financial difficulties have been cited as barriers to seeking medical treatments (Logan, et al. 2006).

Link: Maryland Health Insurance Marketplace

availability

Affordability

Affordability

Wait-times, scheduling conflicts, or inflexibility are other barriers to obtaining or keeping appointments.

accessability

Affordability

accessability

Stalking victims may be unable to get away from their stalker, particularly those who are still involved in relationships.

Victims also:

  • may not know where to go for specific health conditions
  • they may have trouble obtaining childcare
  • or transportation.

acceptability

Fear of being reported

accessability

Some victims may have concerns or fears of being embarrassed or stigmatized regarding the stalking, no-matter their level of "involvement." Victims may also be concerned that they will be blamed for their culpability in either bringing on such behavior, "she had to do something" or "not fighting back," (Logan, et al., 2006, p.227). 

Fear of being reported

Fear of being reported

Fear of being reported

Additionally, those with children may have a fear of being reported for having children in unstable, or dangerous environments. Some victims may fear they could, themselves, be taken into custody due to perceived involvement in domestic-violence, and have their children removed.

Health Resources

We will update articles and resources here
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF MARYLAND
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Just Stalking: Resources, Inc. is a nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization (EIN: 93-4264447).

Disclaimer: We are NOT a legal, mental health, medical, victims' advocate provider(s). We are NOT certified educators, financial experts, security specialists, or self-defense experts. While some of our staff may have training, background, or experience in legal, mental health, medical, victims' advocacy, education, financial, security, or self-defense fields pertaining to Maryland, none of our staff is currently, licensed, or certified specialists in the aforementioned fields. WE ARE NOT PROVIDING ADVICE, IN SUCH FIELDS. OUR GOAL IS TO DIRECT VICTIMS TO APPLICABLE PROVIDERS, PROVIDE FEEDBACK BASED ON PERSONAL EXPERIENCES, USING RELEVANT EVIDENCE-BASED RESEARCH & PRACTICES. WE WILL DO OUR BEST TO PROVIDE RESOURCES FOR ALL AFOREMENTIONED TIPS. IF YOU ARE IN DISTRESS PLEASE CALL 911.

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