sorrel, thank you for pointing this out. "Survivor of emotional abuse" is included in the secondary issue list. However, it is not included in any of the additional issues lists, which is where I was trying to find it. Explains why I missed it.

Perhaps "Survivor of childhood emotional abuse" and "Survivor of childhood neglect" should be placed in each list under/or alphabetically listed along with "Survivor of childhood physical abuse" and "Survivor of childhood sexual abuse."

Typically, whenever I've read anything about child abuse, (1) physical, (2) sexual, (3) emotional abuse and (4) neglect are the four 'types' most commonly listed.

I think it's important to include the word "childhood" as opposed to only survivor of emotional abuse because emotional abuse alone could mean emotional abuse in a relationship, on the job, in a social group, etc. "Childhood" emotional abuse is different.

I guess I'm being a little adamant on the topic because it's so painful for me. I spent my entire life denying I was abused because I was not beaten, nor was I molested. I was not neglected.

I came from a middle-class, 2-parent home with no domestic violence. My parents were involved in my school and extracurricular activities. When I was young, my parents rarely drank alcohol (this changed in my later teens). My childhood was perfect. Norman Rockwell could not have painted a prettier picture of my childhood. Or so I thought.

Part of the emotional abuse I endured was being told my life was perfect compared to my parents. I didn't appreciate all the things I had. I was ungrateful. If my parents had what I had, if they were given the support they gave me, they would have been able to accomplish so much more. Now, I live ashamed and embarrassed as the failure I am; knowing my parents gave me every opportunity in life to be a success and I failed.

I read comments from people, professional articles, books that say childhood emotional abuse is devastating for a child. I read this and still try to convince myself that my parents did not do wrong. I should have been a better child. I had every opportunity and I blew it. I don't deserve to blame my failures on abuse. I just should've been better.

I want to not post this. I want to just say never mind...forget it...it's not important. But it actually is important. I still struggle with saying I was emotionally abused as a child. I've cried writing most of this post. Being able to select "Survivor of childhood emotional abuse" as one of my issues would be difficult. Painful. Guilt-inducing. But perhaps, a little therapeutic?

I'm sorry if I've annoyed or angered anyone. Wasn't my intention.