Childhood Abuse Effects of Child Abuse Child Abuse Recovery
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“I didn’t realize how much pain I had been suppressing until after I had the baby. Looking at my baby triggered really bad memories of child molestation.
In my attempt to try to suppress these feelings, I completely disconnected from my child and couldn’t get close. He cries for his father and not me.”
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Un-released effects of child abuse last into adulthood and throughout an abuse victim’s life.
Many adult survivors of childhood abuse see no connection between their present life problems and the abuse they suffered as children. Especially if they have undergone therapy and no longer feel the day to day emotional impact. Many even deny that the extreme punishment they suffered was abusive – convinced that they deserved what their parents did to them.
Childhood abuse victims often overcompensate and live highly competent professional and personal lives, that is until an added stress is introduced – birth of a child, physical illness or perhaps the death of a family member. This is when the adverse effects of an abusive childhood catches up with them.
Understanding the Effects of Childhood Abuse
Imagine putting a heavy wool coat on, and the effect wearing this coat 24/7 would have. Free movement would be limited, you certainly would not feel comfortable sleeping, your choices of outfits would be restricted, and your overall control would be hindered.
This coat represents the abuse and neglect that you suffered.
You may not be able to see your child abuse coat, but it is wrapped about the part of your mind that influences every aspect of your life – how you think, how you feel, your reactions to events, perceptions, judgments and actions.
Every single aspect of your thinking and life is a direct consequence of the abuse.
Not because it happened, but because it and its impact is carried within you, just like the coat. You were an abused child, then naturally put on a child abuse coat, but this coat is inhibiting your life and will continue to do so until you take it off.
