26 Things You Do As An Adult When Youve Experienced Childhood Emotional Abuse

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.

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 didnt 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

Its harder to make decisions if you spent your childhood hearing that you werent good enough.

6. You Are Self-Disciplined

In order to combat a parent or caregiver that constantly was searching for what you hadnt 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 cant 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 isnt
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 Cant Take a Compliment

When someone tells you how wonderful you are, you may doubt their words, because you cant see
yourself as good.

17. You Have Low Self-Esteem

18. You Dont 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
werent present. And its not because you didnt 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 didnt change you into a bad person.
Instead, you are stronger, grateful and a survivor.