| You do not have to be hit to be a victim of abuse. | | | | in all aspects of their lives. Everything bad in the |
| Emotional abusers chip away at your self-esteem until | | | | world is due to the fault of someone else. What they |
| you feel the need to tear yourself down just to | | | | fail to see is that it is only they who have the power |
| meet their opinions. Some victims of abuse might | | | | to improve their life. |
| engage in self-destructive behavior as a means to | | | | The Blame Game |
| prove their abuser "right". | | | | So how do you move on and live a happy life? |
| If you have suffered from abuse of any kind, you | | | | First you need to accept that you deserve to be |
| have very likely had low self-confidence at some | | | | happy. This can take a long time and if you're |
| point, but it doesn't have to remain that way. You | | | | suffering from depression, then you should definitely |
| could seek reprieve through counseling or support | | | | seek professional help now! |
| groups - it's always helpful to talk to others who | | | | If you can't get away from the abuse, then you |
| have experienced what you have. The internet has | | | | should do whatever you can to make it stop - see if |
| made finding information and support on dealing with | | | | the abuser will seek therapy with you. Let them |
| such subjects a lot easier than it used to be, but it's | | | | know how their abuse makes you feel - the abuse |
| up to you to take the necessary baby steps to free | | | | has to stop. |
| yourself from the effects of abuse and start | | | | You should then start thinking about your goals. No |
| working towards recovery. | | | | matter whether you think they can achieve them or |
| Many abuse survivors put on a face of confidence, | | | | not, changing your focus to that of a goal, rather |
| and are outgoing. They are trying to hide behind this | | | | than your current problems, is a great way to help |
| facade in hope that others won't know what's really | | | | you to start feeling better about your future. If the |
| going on inside. They feel a sense of shame at what | | | | goal seems too big right now, set smaller goals as |
| they are experiencing at the hands of their abuser. | | | | little baby steps towards your main goal. Many people |
| The problem with doing this, is that they never deal | | | | suffering from a lack of confidence or self esteem |
| with what's really going on in their lives and in their | | | | don't have clearly defined goals. |
| heads, as they feel "safe" pretending to be someone | | | | If you want to learn a new skill, look into what you |
| they're not. This also makes it difficult for others to | | | | need to do to learn that skill. Take a class, or even |
| realise how much they are suffering. | | | | do a course via correspondence. |
| Some victims of abuse have such a low self esteem | | | | Just because you have been a victim of abuse |
| that they just stop caring. Their house is filthy, they | | | | doesn't mean you can't live a happy, fulfilling, |
| take little pride in their appearance and they lose | | | | successful life. The sooner you start working |
| interest in other aspects of their lives too. | | | | towards your goals the sooner you will get there. |
| While they are a victim, they choose to live as one, | | | | |