Signs that you have been mentally abused

When we hear the word "abuse," we often think of physical harm. But did you know that there's another type of abuse that's just as harmful? It's called mental abuse, and it's when someone tries to control and manipulate you by making you feel bad about yourself. This can happen over a long period of time, and it's hard to see because there aren't any physical signs. Sometimes, people who were mentally abused when they were younger might not even realize that what they're going through is wrong. But there are ways to tell if you're being mentally abused. Here are five signs to look out for:

Number 1

Do you ever feel super tired all the time, even when you're not doing anything? I'm not talking about just needing a little caffeine boost, I mean like you could fall asleep right where you are. Well, did you know that mental abuse can actually make you feel physically exhausted? A study found that people who experienced emotional abuse as kids were more likely to have chronic fatigue or pain as adults. This is because mental abuse can mess with how you feel pain and make you feel stressed all the time. It can be hard to tell if you're being mentally abused because there aren't any physical marks, but it's important to talk to someone if you think you might be. If you know of any other signs of mental abuse, let us know in the comments. Remember, it's always a good idea to talk to a mental health professional if you've experienced any kind of abuse.

Number 2

When someone cares about you, they don't want to see you upset or controlled. A psychologist named Jay Reid says that some people who take care of others might be self-absorbed. This means that they might make you feel like you're not important and that other people's needs are more important than your own. They might make you feel like you have to do everything perfectly to make them happy. For example, if there's only one cookie left and your mental abuser wants it, they might make you feel like you have to give it to them. If you say no, they might say something mean to you. If you say yes, they might call you inconsiderate or rude. If you feel like you always have to please others, it could be a sign of mental abuse.

Number 3

Sometimes we doubt ourselves when we say or do something. It's okay to not always be right, but sometimes people can make us feel like we're crazy or wrong all the time. This is called gaslighting, and it's a way for people to control us. Gaslighting can make us feel like we're at fault for everything, even when we're not. If you've been gaslit before, you might feel like you can't trust yourself or your instincts. This can make you doubt yourself a lot and feel like you're not good enough.

Number 4

Maybe someone has been saying mean things to you and making you feel bad about yourself. This is called mental abuse and it can really hurt your self-esteem. A study by some smart people found that when people are treated badly, they start to believe that they're not important and that nobody cares about them. They might even think that the whole world is a scary place where everyone is mean. If you feel this way, it's important to think about whether someone is treating you badly and making you feel this way. You don't deserve to be treated poorly and you are important!

Number 5

Did you know that when people experience emotional neglect or mental abuse when they're young, it can change their brain? Researchers from the University of Berlin found that this can make it harder for them to understand how other people are feeling. The part of the brain that helps us understand emotions is called the hippocampus. If it's working well, we can say things like "I'm sorry you're upset about your pet passing away." But if someone has been mentally abused, they might not know how to respond or say something inappropriate. It's okay if you haven't experienced the same thing as someone else, but if you find it hard to understand how they're feeling, it could be a sign of past mental abuse.