When growing up, the raising that we receive has much to do with our
coping skills as an adult. And I have noticed that I, and other victims
of emotional abuse, have certain behaviors that separate us from the
rest. If you, or someone you know was a victim of abuse, then you may
want to read through these. Just being able to understand where another
person is coming from, or understanding yourself better, can make all
the difference.
26 Things You Do As An Adult When You've Experienced Childhood Emotional
Abuse
1. Asking Questions Even When You Know the Answer
If you have ever been berated, you may doubt yourself, even when you
know you are right. Due to this, you may find that you ask a million
questions.
2. Constantly Saying “Sorry”
Children of abuse may feel as though they were never able to do anything
right. In turn, they always apologize, even when they didn't do any
wrong.
3. Second Guessing Everything
When you have lived in the chaotic world of emotional abuse, you never
truly believe in anything. Instead, you may always be in fear of
something bad happening.
4. You Are Tough, But Also Very Sensitive
During a hard childhood, you learn to be tough, because you have to be.
However, you also experience a number of emotions at a young age,
causing you to be especially sensitive to your own emotions as well as
others.
5. You Are Indecisive
It's harder to make decisions if you spent your childhood hearing that
you weren't good enough.
6. You Are Self-Disciplined
In order to combat a parent or caregiver that constantly was searching
for what you hadn't done, or had done wrong, you may become a
perfectionist. You are timely, clean, and organized. Many victims of
abuse learn to over-do because they want to people please.
7. You May Be Sensitive To Loud Noises
If you have been raised in fear, you may be used to being yelled at, and
associate loud noises with abuse.
8. Victims Of Emotional Abuse Can Be Introverted
So many victims of abuse may be afraid of contact with people, and can
sometimes try to distance themselves as much as possible.
9. You Have A Defensive Nature
You may perceive people as negative or offensive because of your
previous abuse.
10. Having Attachment Issues
You may find that when you fear others leaving you, or abandoning you.
11. Issues With Eye Contact
When speaking, you may become anxious to the point that you can't even
make eye contact with the person you are speaking with.
12. Running Away From Conflict
Rather than face conflict, which gives you immense anxiety, it feels
easier to just leave the situation entirely.
13. Constantly Beating Yourself Up
After being abused, you may be used to some sort of repercussion for
wrong doings. In turn, you may constantly bash yourself.
14. Having Issues Getting Close To Others
If you have been abused, you may not especially like people. Due to
this, getting close to others isn't something you take lightly.
15. You Are Quiet
You may not feel as though you have a voice after you have been made to
feel so small and errant your whole life.
16. You Can't Take A Compliment
When someone tells you how wonderful you are, you may doubt their words,
because you can't see yourself as good.
17. You Have Low Self-Esteem
18. You Don't Feel Valid
No matter what you do, you doubt that you are capable of doing it.
19. You Are Always Nervous
Everything worries you and makes you nervous. Even the slightest sign of
trouble, you may even feel overwhelmed.
20. You Are Angry
Underneath it all, you are angry. Your whole life you sat back and
watched an angry person treat you terribly, and in turn, you may have
outbursts of anger.
21. Self-Harming Behaviors
Many abused children will abuse themselves. They feel as though they
deserve it, and oftentimes these behaviors follow you into adulthood.
22. Constant Mood Swings
Living with a toxic abuser can cause you to have a plethora of emotions
come at you at random times. This could be due to the abused person
being so used to a number of emotions and hardships. It is just how some
people cope.
23. Living In Auto-Pilot
You may notice that you sometimes blank out entire conversations or
events, because you simply weren't present. And its not because you
didn't want to be present, you just disassociated from the situation.
24. Commitment Issues
Committing to people is harder when you have been hurt. You may not be
able to trust others enough to settle with them.
25. You Have Addiction Issues
According to scientists and psychologists, victims of emotional abuse
often cope through addictions. These can include hard drugs, alcohol,
stealing, gambling, eating, etc.
26. You Are Humble
Despite it all, when you do have something good in your life, you
appreciate it. And you are humbled by your past to some extent. Not that
it was a good thing, but it didn't change you into a bad person.
Instead, you are stronger, grateful and a survivor.
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