You think of the battered wife with a bruise around her eye, or the abused child as the one with bruises all over his or her body that they try to hide from others. While these are certainly cases of abuse that should be addressed quickly, there are other types of abuse that are much harder to spot but that are just as devastating. Verbal and emotional abuse are just as common as physical abuse, but the scars are held within. If you know someone who may be suffering, or if you wonder if you yourself could be a victim, think about seeking help. It's better to err on the side of caution.
Some that are suffering from verbal and emotional abuse have no idea that anything is wrong because that is all that they know. Children have this problem much of the time because they only know what they have lived. Adults who suddenly encounter the problem are more likely to see it right away for what it really is and they will react more quickly. Children often suffer in silence, but those that have grown up without it may rebel from it and get away from the problem.
Those children that have grown up with verbal and emotional abuse are more likely to seek out a spouse that is going to do the same thing to them. If they know they have been abused, they may go out of their way to seek a spouse that is kind and gentle, but those that think this behavior is normal may go right back into it. Though it does not always happen, verbal and emotional abuse can turn into physical abuse. Some feel they deserve it, which is never the case, and they have no idea how to get away from it or that anything is wrong.
The signs of someone suffering from verbal and emotional abuse can be hard to spot, but if you think something is wrong, it never hurts to check it out further. Children who are abused can either be very withdrawn or they can be wild. Each child reacts differently. You will notice that such a child seems a bit fearful of adults and they have very low self esteem. Those things alone do not mean someone is being abused, but it should signal that something is wrong.
If you are under constant verbal and emotional abuse, do something to change your life. If you are a child at home, you can not go out on your own, but you can find an adult that you trust to talk to. They can help you. If they won't, someone else will. If you are an adult, evaluate the situation and see what you have to do to get out of it. Remember, even if you think verbal and emotional abuse is not quite as bad to physical abuse, one usually leads to the other. No one should put up with any type of abuse, so take control of your life and get out. You deserve better, even if the abuse has left you feeling as if you don't.
6:45 AM