It May Not Be Physical, But It Hurts

Has someone significant in your life ever told you that you were "stupid", "lazy", "worthless", "useless" or "dumb"? Have they ever downplayed or ignored your accomplishments or negatively criticized most of what you do? Do you feel like your needs are ignored or ridiculed? Have they used foul language and insults to make you feel bad about yourself? Do you give up trying to please them because you know that you can't?

Welcome to the world of verbal and emotional abuse. Sticks and stones do hurt your bones, but repeated negative remarks will hurt you just as badly. There may not be physical scars, but the emotional ones can last a lifetime.

So what can you do about it? Unless the abuser is willing to admit the problem, seeks help, and makes necessary changes, you have at least two choices. Learn to live with it and let the insults roll off your back or ...get out of the situation by leaving it if you are able to. Either way, you must learn to love yourself and accept that you are not the horrible, useless person you are made out to be, but that you are good, have a mind of your own and CAN do something to help yourself feel better. You do NOT deserve to be treated like dirt.

Understandably, much attention is drawn to the issue of phsical abuse. Verbal and emotional abuse are just as destructive to others as the physical manifestation of anger and resentment. Educating students during school years, educating and treating abusers, and not looking the other way when we see it happening to someone are a few suggestions for making this world a better place.