By April Mendez
Why do people abuse others? Are they so desperate to get rid of their own emotional pain that they would express their pain to somebody else? Or, maybe it is that they are just angry. Whatever the reason is, you don’t have the right to abuse someone because it can have serious effects and you can totally ruin their self-esteem. If you know you need help, you should get help, but don’t take it out on another person.
One in eight U.S. children will experience psychological abuse. Every year, one million children in the United States will be abused by a parent or legal guardian, according to KidsHealth. Psychological abuse, also known as emotional abuse, is a pattern of intentional verbal or behavioral actions or lack of actions. These convey to a child the message that he/she is worthless, flawed, unloved, unwanted, endangered, or only of value to meet someone else’s needs. Emotional abuse happens worldwide. Not only do children get emotionally abused, but adults and teens get abused as well.
One in eight U.S. children will experience psychological abuse. Every year, one million children in the United States will be abused by a parent or legal guardian, according to KidsHealth. Psychological abuse, also known as emotional abuse, is a pattern of intentional verbal or behavioral actions or lack of actions. These convey to a child the message that he/she is worthless, flawed, unloved, unwanted, endangered, or only of value to meet someone else’s needs. Emotional abuse happens worldwide. Not only do children get emotionally abused, but adults and teens get abused as well.
Emotional abuse can lead to short term or long term effects like PTSD and depression. Someone controlling you is a big warning that the person is abusing you. Actions such as keeping you away from school, work, friends, family, your medical needs, and threats are signs of abuse. People don’t always report their abuse because they’re embarrassed or scared that their abuser will find out and maybe hurt them more.
Long-term effects from abuse may be depression, anxiety, inability to trust, low self-esteem, emotional instability, sleep disturbances, and physical pain without cause. There are about 238,000 reports of emotional abuse a year, according to NSPCC, a helpline for children who are being abused.
According to Yerba Buena High School counselor, Mrs. Pastran, “When the victims of the abuser show signs, they may have changes in eating habits, increase in school absences, clinginess, aggression, obsessive behavior, and isolation from others. The victims may not even know they’re experiencing abuse because, after time, the victim may think the way they are getting treated is normal. People who are abused might also not tell others because they fear the abuser’s reaction, they don’t want to be judged, and have shame/guilt about the situation they’re in. If the abuse goes untreated for a long time, the victim may be in danger.”
Abuse is a serious problem that needs to be stopped. It can happen to anyone in any age group. Just know that you are not alone and you are strong enough to get through it. You may feel alone, but you aren’t. If you or someone you know is getting abused, then you should get immediate help. If you know a friend or family member who may be in danger of abuse, you must help them. There are solutions to problems.
Long-term effects from abuse may be depression, anxiety, inability to trust, low self-esteem, emotional instability, sleep disturbances, and physical pain without cause. There are about 238,000 reports of emotional abuse a year, according to NSPCC, a helpline for children who are being abused.
According to Yerba Buena High School counselor, Mrs. Pastran, “When the victims of the abuser show signs, they may have changes in eating habits, increase in school absences, clinginess, aggression, obsessive behavior, and isolation from others. The victims may not even know they’re experiencing abuse because, after time, the victim may think the way they are getting treated is normal. People who are abused might also not tell others because they fear the abuser’s reaction, they don’t want to be judged, and have shame/guilt about the situation they’re in. If the abuse goes untreated for a long time, the victim may be in danger.”
Abuse is a serious problem that needs to be stopped. It can happen to anyone in any age group. Just know that you are not alone and you are strong enough to get through it. You may feel alone, but you aren’t. If you or someone you know is getting abused, then you should get immediate help. If you know a friend or family member who may be in danger of abuse, you must help them. There are solutions to problems.