Being on the receiving side of abuse and neglect as a child is often hard to talk about. Some people feel ashamed that they can’t seem to handle what happened, others want to hide or pretend it didn’t happen, some are numb. Underneath it all, is anger and hurt. You abound with deep pain. These are natural and normal reactions.
SURVIVORS OF CHILDHOOD ABUSE HURT
Childhood abuse can be physical, sexual, verbal, psychological, emotional, and even spiritual. It may be blatant or subtle – consisting of incest, molestation with or without penetration, witnessing abuse of others, violence, harassment, neglect – all taking the power and control advantage with lack of respect for another human being. Childhood abuse and neglect has both a psychological and biological impact of destruction and devastation well into adulthood unless help is accepted.
Chances are pretty good that you wanted to disappear or not be noticed as a child. Hiding was your way of trying to stay out of harm’s way. Dissociating is rather common. What other options did you have anyway? You were just a kid doing your best to survivor the awful stuff that was coming at you.
There is evidence that having been abused as a child carries with it the possibility that your immune system doesn’t work as well as it could, making you more susceptible to illnesses. The psychological aspects of abuse play with you as an adult, often making relationships and trust a huge problem. Emotionally you are more likely to be fragile displaying itself in disturbing ways to you or others. 
Grief is a component of your life as well. Sadness may well underlie your life with you left wondering where it comes from.
If you were neglected as a child, do not underestimate the impact it has on you. You might have managed to take care of yourself and your siblings, taking on responsibilities of what your parent should have been doing. If that is the case for you, please seek help. It is not normal for a child to have to take on adult responsibilities. There are repercussions in your life as an adult.
Childhood abuse and neglect are traumas that need attention!
A good article to read about trauma in childhood is at Psychology Today.
If you are an adult survivor of childhood abuse
and/or neglect and need help,
book an appointment with me at 303-803-3127
or email me at
kaleidoscopecounselingdenver@gmail.com