Things You Do as an Adult When You've Experienced Childhood Emotional Abuse

Contributors from The Mighty’s mental health community share what they do as adults because of their experience of emotional abuse in childhood.

Read the full transcript:

Things You Do as an Adult When You’ve Experienced Childhood Emotional Abuse

“I can’t stand conflict, loud sudden noises, shouting and screaming or aggression in any form. It triggers my fight-or-flight instantly.”

“I can’t accept compliments. During my childhood, people just noticed my mistakes and not my achievements.”

“I’m an overachiever. I obsess about doing a job/task to perfection. And then I obsess about how I could do it better.”

“I’m basically a hermit. My home is my fortress. I constantly fear everyone around me.”

“I have problems trusting people.”

“Indecisiveness. It feels like every choice I make is wrong even if I choose the option I’m told to take.”

“I avoid saying anything that others might not agree with, which means I’m never being myself.”

“I’m overly shy around people and struggle with having a voice. I believe no one wants to hear anything I have to say.”

“I have a hard time making eye contact with people.”

“Blaming myself for everything. I have to fight the urge to beat myself up constantly.”