What is the affect on children that has been domestically abused?

Answer 1

I can only speak for myself. I was verbally and emotionally abused and it left me with years of low self-esteem and shyness to try to get over. After years of trying to build up my self-esteem, I still revert to feeling bad about myself, on occasions. I look back over my life and always wonder what it would have been like if my childhood would have been different. Would I still be married? How could my mother really love me and still be abusive to me? I realize she had her emotional problems, but, I have also had mine as a result of hers, yet I always let my children know how much I love them and always supported their needs, trying never to get them know about my own personal problems.

Answer 2

There are huge emotional effects of abuse in the home, which take a toll on a child throughout their life. Many children become afraid of people, and have trouble trusting others while others will become too trusting and will not mature as quickly as they should. Many have trouble with concentration, fitting in, and are bullied during school.

Problems also occur in adulthood. Many abuse victims continue what is known as the 'abuse cycle', in which they grow up to either become an abuser, or a victim. They often find themselves as victims of abuse repeatedly, never knowing the cause. They unconsciously seek out abuse, as they have been trained to seek it as a form of love. It is only upon this realization and understanding that they can break the cycle, and live a normal and happy life. Those who become abusers will partner will someone who is unconsciously seeking an abuser, and they will progressively take control of their lives. These people are the hardest to redeem, and in the most extreme cases: it is impossible to redeem them. It is in these cases that the abuser is known as a 'sociopath'; a person with no conscience. An abuser can only ever be saved if he/she wishes to be saved, nobody else can do that for them. They are very manipulative, and so you should never dedicate your own life to try to save them. Help them only if they request help. If it is extremely serious abuse, the child may suffer from post traumatic stress disorder. often, an abused child will start to abuse others because they believe that others should be hurt the same way that they were hurt. an abused child should be given the help they need, love and security.