According to the scientists, there’s a correlation between long-term mental abuse and anxiety. The stress and trauma that we are accumulated over a period of time may end up with a mental disorder such as anxiety.
Devon MacDermott, a psychologist specialized in relationship and trauma, illustrated that verbal abuse is a chronic verbal interaction that is unwanted and let the victim feel emotional harm. It can always happen from a family member, parent, a close friend, or partner. If you treat somebody with disrespect, yell at them, and insulting them can affect their health.
This impact can be very bad and even worse than the other types of abuse such as physical abuse.
This Type of Abuse Is One of Worst Forms of Abuse
Verbal abuse is the overuse of language to dominate someone’s security and dignity by insults and humiliations while repeating and in a sudden manner.
This can be caused by serious and profound psychological injury. And also the damage that can happen from this type of abuse may hide until it affects the victim psychologically. Although their dignity is attacked, the victim may not respond. This kind of abuse can lead to lack of motivation, stress, depression, poor concentration and etc.
Emotional abuse and verbal abuse are both the same. But, verbal abuse can make people on an emotional level, making damage to their confidence and self-esteem.
A verbal abuse that has happened through a long time can contribute to various health problems later on.
Short-Term Effects of Verbal Abuse
- Overthinking
- Low self-esteem and lack of enthusiasm
- Having difficulty making decisions
Long-Term Effects
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Migraine headaches
- Chronic pain
- Digestive problems
- Eating disorders
- Suicidal thoughts
If you see any of your friends change their behavior suddenly, try to help them.
Verbal Abuse Signs:
- This form of abuse most happens in a closed environment like the school or home.
- A verbal abuser always uses the name-calling technique to dominate the victim.
- An abuser will blame the victim for everything and for nothing.
- They also attack the victim’s interests and hobbies and the things they like to make them feel like they aren’t fair enough.
- The abuser doesn’t appreciate the victim’s success or their achievements and hard work.
- The abuser always thinks that they are right and even if they make a mistake they won’t admit it or apologize.
- They feel angry when the victim is feeling good. So, they try to bring the victim down to feel superior.
- The victim always tries to isolate themselves from socializing and being around people, because they have low self-esteem that does make them anxious when they are around people.
MacDermott said that the abuser is not a “bad person”, but they probably have an underlying problem, that’s making them act like that way, such as mental health problem, depression, or substance abuse.