Abigail Breslin Shares Photo of What Life After Domestic Violence Can Look Like

Editor’s Note: If you’ve experienced domestic violence or sexual assault, the following post could be potentially triggering. You can contact The National Domestic Violence Hotline online by clicking “chat now” or calling  1-800-799-7233. You can contact the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline at 1-800-656-4673.

On Sunday, Abigail Breslin posted on Instagram in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The actress, known for her roles in “Scream Queens” and “Little Miss Sunshine,” shared a photo of her ankle bearing a small bruise and cut.

• What is PTSD?

In her caption, she wrote: “I’m a domestic violence and sexual assault survivor. While I now am no longer with my abuser, In the aftermath of what happened to me, I developed Complex PTSD.” She explained the cut on her foot was the result of slipping and falling on a piece of glass after having a PTSD-related episode.

 

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#TRIGGERWARNING It’s #domesticviolenceawarenessmonth. I’m a domestic violence and sexual assault survivor. While I now am no longer with my abuser, In the aftermath of what happened to me, I developed Complex PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) . I took this pic of my ankle a few hours ago right after one of my “episodes” as I call them. I was so freaked out and disoriented I slipped and fell on a piece of glass. Usually they occur right after I’ve been triggered… problem is, triggers are often very hard to detect. Which is exactly why #domesticviolenceawarenessmonth is so important. We must keep the discussion open. While at first i felt this was very awkward and uncomfortable to post, I reminded myself of something I say often: PTSD is absolutely NOTHING to be ashamed or embarrassed about. PTSD is the result of an uncontrollable scenario. Never feel like you are less than because you have a condition that you didn’t cause. You are still beautiful, you are still important, you are still WORTHY.

A post shared by Abigail Breslin (@abbienormal9) on Oct 14, 2017 at 9:08pm PDT

By opening up about the impact of her experience even after her abuser was no longer in the picture, Breslin makes an important point about how the effects of abuse don’t stay confined to the time when the trauma occurred.

According to the National Center for PTSD, intimate partner violence can affect physical as well as mental health, and victims may be more vulnerable to developing PTSD, anxiety or depression. The impact of abuse can be life-altering for many survivors, and many continue to deal psychological reactions to unforeseen triggers. As Breslin shared, the “problem is, triggers are often very hard to detect.”

In her piece about C-PTSD, Mighty contributor Erin J. echoes this sentiment.

I am fine until it happens — a capable, competent, fully-functional adult… until I’m not. I hate PTSD. I get no say in what or who triggers my memories. I live in fear of the next time I’m reduced to a heap on the floor, pressing my head against the wall, holding my hands over my ears with my eyes squeezed tightly closed.

In her Instagram post, Breslin also wrote that having PTSD is nothing to be ashamed of, and shared a message for anyone currently struggling:

“Never feel like you are less than because you have a condition that you didn’t cause. You are still beautiful, you are still important, you are still WORTHY.”

We couldn’t have said it better.

If you or a loved one is affected by domestic violence or emotional abuse and need help, call The National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.