Child Abuse Description
description of child abuse
Adults Abused as Children:
Survivors of childhood abuse learn “survival skills.” To protect themselves emotionally and physically, children may respond in different ways. For example, they may:
- Deny: Children will deny the abuse is occurring. Some daydream that they’re elsewhere, or that the abuse is happening to a stranger. Others block out the memory of the abuse.
- Withdraw: Since adult attention so often brings abuse, these children learn that it’s not safe to express themselves or take chances.
- Seek Approval: From adults by being “perfect” – being the best in school, doing extra chores, helping others, etc.
- Turn Off Feelings: Both emotional and physical. By not allowing themselves to feel, they protect themselves from pain.
- Misbehave: To express anger and frustration, or to get attention – even if it hurts.
- Take the Blame: Children will blame themselves for the abuse and think they’re “bad.” It’s hard for children to recognize that adults aren’t perfect.
These children carry these patterns into adult life. The results can be:
- A Lack of Trust: Adults abused as children may believe that it’s dangerous to trust people – or their own feelings. (Or, they may be loyal beyond reason to people who don’t deserve their trust.)
- A Fear of Making Changes: Old patterns of living and relating to others feel familiar and “safe” – even if they’re really destructive.
- Caring “Too Much”: Many help others through nursing, social work, etc., trying to give the world the love they never had. Some wear themselves out because they try so hard.
- Trouble Recognizing or Showing Emotions: It is hard for some adults abused in childhood to be aware of their feelings, share them with others, or ask for help.
- Trouble Coping with Stress: When things go wrong, they may turn to food, alcohol or other drugs, violence – even child abuse.
- Low Self-esteem: Some adults still think they’re “bad” or worthless, and that they deserved abuse then – and now.
Page 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5
