All traumatic experiences are different, but we cannot in any way measure or tell which is greater or what the most severe effect may be on a person. Abuse in all its forms can be serious and toll-taking. Getting over it and recovering from it can be much more difficult than it has ever been experienced. That said, let us first understand the many different types of abuse that can affect us directly or indirectly.
different types of abuse
There are many different types of abuse that we may or may not be aware of. While some are obvious, there are others that are hidden behind words and silent gestures. To help you better understand all of this, here are the types of abuse you should be aware of.
– Physical abuse: This type of abuse is one of the easiest to identify and it is also the first thing that comes to mind when a person hears the word ‘abuse’. So physical abuse can be in the form of hitting, slapping, punching, kicking, strangling or more.
– Sexual Abuse: Sexual abuse can be both physical and non-physical abuse. It occurs when a person is forced into sexual activity or is subjected to sexual abuse or when sex is used as a weapon to make the victim obey.
– Emotional abuse – Emotional or verbal abuse is non-physical. They may not leave a physical scar, but they can take a long time to heal.
Psychological Abuse: Mental abuse occurs when one person’s actions or words overwhelm the other person’s psychological existence.
– Financial Abuse: Abuse is all about power and control and in today’s world, money is a way to maintain dominance over others. That said, financial abuse occurs when one person tries to handle all the finances and budget planning in the relationship.
– Cultural abuse: Identity is a very important aspect of a person’s being. Therefore, if a person’s identity, for example their race, gender, sex, caste, creed, religion or ethnicity, is targeted, it can be a form of cultural abuse.
With all these types of abuse in mind, let us explore one abuse that is the most difficult to detect and fix.
Why is emotional abuse the hardest to deal with?
Any form of abuse that hurts, hurts, deprives people of their trust in them, can be difficult to deal with and heal. However, emotional abuse is the kind that can slowly and steadily empty one’s soul and leave them feeling trapped.
Being emotionally affected is a slow process in which the damage done is subtle, almost unknown. However, once it is identified, it will already be too late. This can involve years and years of verbal criticism, brainwashing, taunting, manipulation, nagging, and constant bickering. The abuse is so persistent that the person loses their true identity and begins to believe whatever they are told.
Even if one survives such abuse, its impact remains and is carried on to the next stage of his/her life. Unless one has a great support system to bring back one’s confidence, self-esteem, they can never recover.
Related trauma can affect your life in many ways.
There are many ways in which emotional abuse can affect you. Not only does this hamper your sense of identity, but it also affects your relationships in the future.
Whether it is a family relationship or a romantic bond, emotional abuse can happen anywhere where feelings are concerned. If you are in an abusive relationship, there will be a lot of trauma. Besides the fact that your self-esteem will suffer, not only will you have trust issues with everyone around you, but you will also find it difficult to believe in yourself.
Since you are deprived of the ‘story’ you hoped for in the beginning, you are bound to feel alone and doubt anything positive that may come your way in the future. Even when it is all over, the fear and anxiety that accompanies every memory can be mentally overwhelming. Criticism, constant surveillance and taunts keep haunting you in the form of flashbacks.
That said, it is an exhausting journey that can only be overcome with supportive people and a willingness to be positive again.
It can take a long time to recover from emotional abuse
Emotional abuse can be painful when it occurs and ends. It’s not something that stops with the end of the abuse.
From recovering to getting your mind and your life back to normal, it takes a lot of effort. It is a long process that requires patience and kindness towards oneself. If you believe that once you come out of the abuse it will all go away, then you are wrong. You must realize that this will take longer than you expect. But with all the positivity and support, it is achievable and very possible.
Recovery may take extra effort
If you are someone who has experienced a lot of emotional abuse, you may feel like your world has ended. But truth be told, this is just the beginning of a new phase in your life. All the trauma you have experienced and the emotional burden you have carried will only make you a bigger person in the future.
Although it will take time, with constant effort and a willingness to grow, you will surely be able to overcome this trauma. But first and foremost, get help. Don’t try and fight it alone. During your emotional recovery, it is important to have people around you or a professional help to guide you through it.
Look for ways to deal with your anxiety. Keep yourself busy and do things that you enjoy. Trust yourself and others and work on building a stronger ‘self’. That said, once you recover, prepare yourself for any flashbacks or triggers, but be careful not to. Rather help yourself to manage them efficiently.
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