Sticks and stones....



We are conditioned from a very early age that, "words will never hurt me". Well they do. Does this dismiss the impact of emotional abuse? And is emotional abuse limited to words? What about actions or lack of actions? The silent treatment for example or total discard. 
Why are people not held responsible for this behavior? Why is it that we categorize abuse and only speak up about what is visible? I think there is a lot to say about driving someone to the point of wanting to die. 

So let's discuss visible vs not visible. If you see a bruise on a friends cheek, what's the first thing that comes to mind? Certainly not that she tripped and hit the corner of the coffee table. 
Does someone need to be crying for you to know they are hurting? Often times the pain is so deep and the vicitm is in a position that requires them to mask the pain. Like being at work, school, out in public. You cant see it but it is there. These are the times that break people down. This is the path that leads to self harm or worse, suicide. THIS IS WHEN THEY NEED YOU! 

Emotional abuse leads to very dark depression. It's not just a comment that was hurtful. It wasn't just a look of anger or disapproval. These emotions build up over years that you couldn't see it (like the bruise). 
To get through emotional abuse, the victim will go through the same stages of grief. Losing someone in any way is loss. Loss of what you had, what you thought you had, what could have been, what might have been. 
There are 5 to conquer and not in any order! There is no time allotted and you don't get to tell them to get over it. 
Be supportive. Cheer them on. Show them you are noticing. Accept the 5 stages and encourage it. It's necessary for the survivor to move forward and heal. Trust me, they will remember who was there for them and who wasn't. 




















































































































































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