February 12, 2020 | Lissette Salgado | campus editor |
---|
Abuse comes in many forms but is most known and disgraced by many when it is physical. However, the most damaging type is mental or psychological abuse. It destroys a person’s mind.
According to Psychology Today, mental abuse is equally as damaging as physical abuse. There is not enough attention on the matter and people are left in the dark on how it actually affects the victims.
The validity of mental abuse has been debated for years due to the lack of physical evidence to back up the claim of victims seeking help. For this reason, they may not seek help and continue to suffer through their abuse until it becomes physical, or worse, results in death.
However, not all children keep everything to themselves. Some do find another individual they can trust.
Usually these individuals are either from their peer group or adults they deeply trust. They may feel like these people are the only ones that the victim can speak to and get help from. Sometimes they are the only ones they trust to talk with.
Through those people, victims may get the help they need, whether it be because those individuals have access to the proper resources or know where to get help for the victim. But, not all are so lucky to get help, sometimes they don’t have anyone to turn to.
Abuse victims may form psychological trauma from the constant deterioration of their mental wellbeing.
Ranging from anxiety, chronic depression, to even post-traumatic stress disorder; these can be added to whatever other mental disorders that the victim could have.
Without the necessary help, the victims may have trouble recovering from their pain.
It’s best to acknowledge that abuse through other means, besides physical contact, can and will affect those on the receiving end. People as a whole, cannot turn a blind eye on those who are suffering, nor should they ignore those who are coming forth to get help.