21 Memes I Relate to as Someone Who Grew Up Experiencing Emotional Abuse
For probably as long as I can remember, I’ve been told I have a dark, bitter, sardonic, negative, harsh, [insert other similar adjective here] sense of humor. And while this comment was always made to me in a “you need to work on that” kind of way, my “dark humor” has actually been one of my greatest comforts in coping with the childhood emotional abuse I experienced growing up.
Perhaps this is why I love memes so much. In just a few short words and a funny picture, memes are often able to capture a “big” emotion I struggle with, making it smaller and easier to handle. And while it’s definitely true some can use memes as a way to avoid addressing unresolved trauma or pain, a lot of times they address topics we don’t talk about openly, and can go a long way in reassuring people they are not the only ones struggling.
Below, I’ve shared some memes I relate to personally as someone who grew up experiencing emotional abuse. To the folks who may relate, I want you to know you aren’t alone and recovery is possible.
If you use humor to cope with an emotionally abusive upbringing, here’s a roundup of some memes you might relate to:
1. Reminiscing on my childhood like…
![now thats what I call childhood trauma meme](https://themighty.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/26231034_140734726611941_1896316827488647130_n.jpg)
2. Me, recognizing my unhealthy thought patterns…
![](https://themighty.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Screen-Shot-2018-02-08-at-4.57.42-PM.png)
3. What I wish I could tell people who think I’m “so mature” for my age…
![](https://themighty.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Screen-Shot-2018-02-13-at-10.43.17-AM.png)
4. When I remember (and then constantly replay) a repressed childhood memory at an inopportune time…
![](https://themighty.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Screen-Shot-2018-02-08-at-5.13.56-PM.png)
5. When you’re so used to being taken advantage of, you doubt people are ever genuine…
![](https://themighty.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/26219951_139861653365915_3677914484684507069_n-696x750.jpg)
6. Teenage me, interacting with children, afraid I’ll ruin them…
![](https://themighty.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Screen-Shot-2018-02-08-at-5.05.32-PM.png)
7. #TBT to last Thursday…
![](https://themighty.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/25151994_134877010531046_2251884780224617126_n.jpg)
8. My childhood could perhaps be why I like dogs better than people…
![](https://themighty.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Screen-Shot-2018-02-08-at-5.08.18-PM.png)
9. My approach to romantic relationships…
![](https://themighty.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/27460012_147407705944643_3344279552090317125_n-750x499.jpg)
10. Me going into the holidays like…
![](https://themighty.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Screen-Shot-2018-02-08-at-5.02.54-PM.png)
11. When forgiveness is a real struggle…
![](https://themighty.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Screen-Shot-2018-02-08-at-5.12.49-PM.png)
12. When someone tries to make jokes about my childhood like I do…
![](https://themighty.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Screen-Shot-2018-02-08-at-4.56.53-PM.png)
13. When someone reflects on an awesome part of their childhood I can’t relate to…
![](https://themighty.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/memecenter.png)
14. When “Arrested Development” is a bit too familiar…
![](https://themighty.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Screen-Shot-2018-02-13-at-10.50.43-AM.png)
15. Scrolling through my Instagram like…
16. Trying to ignore abusive comments I hear like…
![](https://themighty.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Screen-Shot-2018-02-08-at-4.59.05-PM.png)
17. …Or just taking them too much to heart…
![](https://themighty.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Screen-Shot-2018-02-13-at-11.35.57-AM.png)
18. When people ask me why I have depression…
![](https://themighty.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/26730984_142074069811340_7398249527944717850_n.jpg)
19. Me tryna hold in tears during therapy…
![](https://themighty.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Screen-Shot-2018-02-08-at-5.06.34-PM.png)
19. How I explain myself to my friends…
![](https://themighty.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/27752373_1700760179985763_2820892777191153799_n.jpg)
20. When people give me “advice” on how to deal with emotionally abusive people in my life…
![](https://themighty.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Screen-Shot-2018-02-08-at-4.55.42-PM.png)
21. What I remind myself on hard mental health days…
![](https://themighty.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/26814672_143532736332140_2592603999361439466_n-750x722.jpg)
If you or a loved one is affected by domestic violence or emotional abuse and need help, call The National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.
Can you relate?