Digital abuse driving psychological pain

DIGITAL connectivity has become a powerful and quick tool for communication for both intimacy and non-intimate relationships. However, when one partner resorts to digital means to hurt the other, it can have harmful consequences. A study done in America by the data and society research institute showed that the rate of digital abuse is higher and getting higher.

Digital abuse involves but not limited to: ◆ Irritating ◆ Revenge porn ◆ Social media bullying ◆ Sexually harassing a partner

online, ◆ Controlling a partner’s social

media space ◆ Use of spy software ◆ Determining who to befriend ◆ Location finder Digital abuse in romantic and former relationships tends to be higher than in non-romantic. One out of every eight people who had been in a romantic relationship has experienced at least one or more the forms of digital abuse, the most common being having been monitored by a current or former partner and having been purposefully embarrassed online by a current or former partner.

Men and women were equally experiencing digital abuse, dismissing the assumptions that men are the only perpetrators and women the only victims. People under 30 were three times as likely as people over 30 to have experienced digital harassment.

The psychological effects can last long after the experience ends. These range from: ◆ Depression ◆ Anger with revenge desire ◆ Insomnia ◆ Anxiety ◆ Suicide ◆ Drug abuse ◆ Social isolation Negative attitudes then develop for social and the online spaces. It will change attitude towards people and have negative thought of people.

It is paramount not to underestimate the amount of communication done digitally. I have been increasingly getting consults and the root cause has been digital abuse. The aim of this is for people to be considerate in the use and content of their communication on digital media. It has become the way we now communicate unfortunately intimate conversations can become public with great consequences. This was not the case in the past.

My advice is, let’s recognise digital abuse early and deal with it. The need for psychological therapy should not be delayed as this can save a life even a marriage. ◆ Dr Sacrifice Chirisa is a passionate mental health specialist at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, one of the country’s major referral centres.