Tag: child abuse

Surviving Emotional Child Abuse: You Are So Much Stronger Than You Think You Are

December 31, 2019

You have made your way to this website about emotional child abuse. Despite all the naysayers and flying monkeys wanting you to remain in the same swampland you’ve lived by forever, you’re here. You’ve chopped through the choking entanglements around you. You’ve navigated through the dense darkness of denial. And now, taking a breath in … More Surviving Emotional Child Abuse: You Are So Much Stronger Than You Think You Are

Three Must-Read Posts for Mother’s Day If You’re an Adult Survivor of Emotional Child Abuse

May 12, 2018

Advertisements on TV and the radio go over the top in portraying all mothers as idealized heroic women who did absolutely every single thing right. Motherhood, however, is far more complex and grittier than those bleached versions of it. It’s a vocation that, when approached right, requires maternal sacrifice, encourages a selfless love from the … More Three Must-Read Posts for Mother’s Day If You’re an Adult Survivor of Emotional Child Abuse

Questions From the Mailbox: Allegedly Ruining Your Future, Deciding to Blog, and Wondering Whether to Tell Your Abusive Parents How You Feel

May 3, 2018

Editor’s Note: The Invisible Scar does not offer professional advice, only opinion. The Invisible Scar receives many emails every month. Some have questions or comments best shared with our readers in this “From the Editor’s Mailbox” column. Though our main advice is for the reader to seek therapy from a professional, we also invite helpful … More Questions From the Mailbox: Allegedly Ruining Your Future, Deciding to Blog, and Wondering Whether to Tell Your Abusive Parents How You Feel

Emotionally Neglected Children May Feel Like They Are Ghosts

September 30, 2016

“Emotional Neglect is the white space in the family picture; the background rather than the foreground. It is insidious and overlooked while it does its silent damage to people’s lives.” (Dr. Jonice Webb) Editor’s note: I use “he” because “he or she” can interrupt the flow of sentences. But abuse can happen to any gender. … More Emotionally Neglected Children May Feel Like They Are Ghosts

What Finn From ‘The Force Awakens’ and Adult Survivors of Emotional Child Abuse Have in Common

August 3, 2016

Editor’s Note: Upon reading this post, some readers may say, “Oh, it’s just a movie!” Indeed, but stories, whether in books or movies or television programs, teach us about ourselves, about what we value, about what we love, about what we hate. Recently, I rewatched the latest Star Wars film, “The Force Awakens,” and noticed … More What Finn From ‘The Force Awakens’ and Adult Survivors of Emotional Child Abuse Have in Common

From the Editor’s Mailbox: Being a Trusted Adult to Your Siblings, Going No Contact, and Why Therapy May Not Work for You

June 29, 2016

Editor’s Note: The Invisible Scar does not offer professional advice, only opinion. Here’s a look at the most common questions popping up in my inbox lately and some thoughts regarding them. My younger siblings live at home, and they’re being emotionally abused by our parents. What can I do? Call the Childhelp National Child Abuse … More From the Editor’s Mailbox: Being a Trusted Adult to Your Siblings, Going No Contact, and Why Therapy May Not Work for You

What Really Happened: Finding Out You Had an Emotionally Abusive Childhood (and Tips for Healing)

June 10, 2016

Have you recently come to the realization that you’ve had an emotionally abusive childhood? If so, that awakening to the truth can be brutal. But do know that you’re not alone. At The Invisible Scar, I receive tons of emails from people who have had this epiphany. And I tell them that, though this discovery … More What Really Happened: Finding Out You Had an Emotionally Abusive Childhood (and Tips for Healing)

Even When Abusive Parents Apologize, They Don’t

February 25, 2016

Every adult survivor of emotional child abuse would love to hear the following apology in some version or other: “Child, I’m so deeply sorry for all the pain and suffering and neglect that you endured through my actions or inactions. If I could go back in time, I’d right those wrongs, treat you with the … More Even When Abusive Parents Apologize, They Don’t

Fear and Guilt Will Keep You in an Abusive Relationship If You Let Them

August 10, 2015

You’ve long suspected something is not quite normal about your relationship with your parents. Perhaps you even sought answers and read about the signs of emotional child abuse. Now, you have come to the hard, cold realization that you’ve been emotionally abused as a child—and that the abuse has extended into your adulthood. So, what … More Fear and Guilt Will Keep You in an Abusive Relationship If You Let Them

2-Year Blog Anniversary: A Heartfelt Thanks to Readers… and Some News

April 8, 2015

Dear readers, Two years ago today, The Invisible Scar was launched. For some time, I had been wanting to write a blog post on my personal site to raise awareness of emotional child abuse, but I had too much to say, too much information kicking around my head, too much of a desire to just … More 2-Year Blog Anniversary: A Heartfelt Thanks to Readers… and Some News