How does Child Abuse Effect Children in the Long Run?

Child abuse can have many lingering effects. Clearly it depends on the severity of the abuse, the duration,age of the child, and relationship to the abuser. We do know that what we learn as a child in terms of discipline many times is carried over into adulthood, however this IS NOT a certainty. Just because a child’s parent is emotionally or physically abusive does not imply that the child will grow up being abusive to their children.

Substance abuse,angry outbursts,feeling helpless, and having a less than adequate self esteem can all be an outgrowth of abuse. There have been studies showing children have learned the negatives from observing and experiencing trauma. They then turned around and were great, loving parents and did not implement these negative traits. The converse is also true, abused children frequently can become too leniant, not instilling boundaries and allowing the child to have the rule of the home.

As in psychology there is not one clear cut, cause and effect. We know childhood traumas impact their lives. We know there are a variety of outcomes.

Not to minimize the impacts of abuse, but in the field of psychology the easier task is identifying the problem by assessing and viewing the symptoms. The difficulty is implementing change. In medicine a red throat is fairly easy to diagnose, it is either viral, strep, mono, post-nasal drainage, or allergies. The treatment then follows suit. In abused victims the treatment is clearly not that simple.

Whatever the future symptoms are of childhood abuse, at some point the treatment must be addressed in order to achieve a happoer, peaceful life. A willingness, a passion to get better, not be defensive, and really look at one’s issues is imperative. Break down the walls, one brick, at a time. The path on the other side is freedom from the ugliness of the past.

How the book,Above His Shoulders will help:

I disclose in my book my relationships and how I played a key role in destroying them, and using bad judgement.  I thought I knew what love was. Abused victims need to focus on the pains of their past in order to care for another. I am blatantly honest about my shortcomings, and how these shortcomings created lonliness and despair. I now see so much hope, and for the first time in my life I know what love is, as well as learning to trust. The largest change for me is accepting love and not pushing it away. This book has the benefit to learn through my mistakes. I can only hope it will save some relationships and bring new insight to those with similar experiences.

Become a fan on facebook. See the photographs of the actual oak tree and the authors home, as well as a sneak peak at the new book. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Above-His-Shoulders/274131107309?ref=nf