emotional abuse

"Emotional abuse is the process of breaking the spirit or shattering the confidence of another for one's own purpose." Augusten Burroughs

I think a big problem for adults who suffered emotional abuse as children is they can't recognize it now. It seems normal to them, almost like coming home.

ck2d, you make a very good point. Abuse of any form is breaking down one's spirit. I had abuse as a child and it is awful that it takes so many years to break this cycle and see life the way it is supposed to be. Also see people the way we are supposed to. It is so damaging and the damage lasts for years. Many abused people isolate and that is avoidant in itself. Thanks for sharing this.

Agree. From my experience with kids, they assume and repeat their caregivers' behaviours as the normal behaviour.
When the kid has the luck to compare this behaviour or treat with other adults who also play an important role in his/her life, is it possible for him/her to have a richer input and perhaps provide him/her with different tools. But, the other adults have to be very important for the child.

But can you recognize emotional abuse now? Can you see when you are being abusive yourself?

Yeah, I can remember it but I think I'm not still awared of me doing it until I see the effect I can cause in others.
I hadn't got an adult closed to me enough to be my good model. My mum used to play a very passive role bc she indeed was emotionaly abused too.