By: Amanda Hildreth Abuse and Mental Health: The Common Connection Abuse is common in relationships but isn’t only limited to romantic relationships. It can also come in the form of relationships with family, friendships, or interactions with strangers. The common assumption is that abuse is caused by a mental health diagnosis such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD, borderline personality disorder, etc. These are serious mental health conditions; however, they do not cause abuse. However, a few diagnoses can increase the risk of abusive patterns in relationships and other areas of life (The National Domestic Violence Hotline, 2023). Which Diagnoses...
The LGBTQ+ Community and Religious Abuse: Trauma Unseen
By: Amanda Hildreth The LGBTQ+ Community and Religious Abuse: Trauma Unseen Religious organizations vary in their attitudes towards members of the LGBTQ+ community both in and outside their community. When a member of their religious community comes out, the response can range from full acceptance to total ostracization. Many members of the LGBTQ+ community find a sense of well-being and support in affirming religious environments. However, many LGBTQ+ members also encounter negative experiences with religion that impact them long into the future after being a part of a disaffirming religious environment. Spiritual Abuse and Trauma of the LGBTQ+ Community Research...
Recognizing Emotional Abuse In Children
By: Hannah Jagiri Recognizing Emotional Abuse in Children Emotional Abuse in children is a deeply concerning issue that often goes unnoticed, leaving lasting scars on the child’s mental and emotional well-being. Unlike Physical Abuse, Emotional Abuse is more challenging to recognize, making it imperative for caregivers, parents, educators, and society to identify its signs. This article aims to shed light on the subtle indicators of Emotional Abuse in children, emphasizing the importance of early recognition and intervention to protect their overall development and mental health. What Is Emotional Abuse of Children? Emotional Abuse is a form of maltreatment that undermines...
Unmasking Financial Abuse
By: Hannah Jagiri Financial Abuse is a form of domestic violence that often goes unnoticed yet leaves lasting scars on Victims’ lives. It occurs when one partner controls the other’s financial resources, leading to dependency and power imbalances. Recognizing the signs of Financial Abuse is crucial for breaking the cycle and supporting those affected. Understanding Financial Abuse Financial Abuse involves an array of manipulative tactics one partner uses to control the other’s finances. It can manifest in various ways, such as limiting access to money, controlling spending decisions, withholding financial information, or forcing the Victim to be financially dependent. This...
How Do Adult Children Of Narcissists Develop In Life?
By: Mandie Schreck Growing up in a narcissistic household can affect a child’s development from adolescence to adulthood. Many people who grew up in narcissistic homes struggle with low self-esteem, anxiety, and depression. Narcissistic parents often lack empathy, encouragement, and even a desire to see their children succeed in life. Even if the individual cuts ties with their parents or guardians, the abuse can negatively affect their autonomy, mental health, and social interactions. If the parent continually taught their child that they were wrong or only made wrong choices, that child may develop a “people-pleaser” mentality. They may depend on...
Finding & Maintaining Motivation
By: Eileen Shea We’re entering into a new year, but the global health crisis that has been at the forefront of all our minds continues — now for the third calendar year. 2022 is the start of both a new year and a new normal. ARO is now hosting our first online event of 2022 — Finding Motivation: Transitioning to a New Normal as the Pandemic Continues — where we are addressing a variety of questions about resolutions, goals, diversity, outreach, and the overall impact of the pandemic on the Abuse Care Community. Join us at https://www.facebook.com/AbuseRefugeOrg for new content every day...
Recognizing Verbal Abuse & Setting Healthy Boundaries
By: Mandie Schreck Verbal Abuse can be difficult to overcome and even harder to set boundaries around. Establishing parameters for yourself can be a struggle when confronted with Verbal Abuse. How can you create a safe space for yourself where you have an open flow of healthy communication? Recognize Unhealthy Communication Habits The first step to creating healthy boundaries for yourself in a relationship of any kind is recognizing unhealthy communication and language. If you feel guilty, sad, or belittled in any way, start to see what words or phrases make you feel the opposite of uplifted and comforted. Begin...
Healing From Generational Trauma
By: Whitney Derman Generational Trauma affects many families. It is commonly caused by creating a cycle of abuse by which each generation ends up passing their fears, anxieties, and other issues they got from their parents to their children, who in turn pass it down to their children. “Even if the abuse itself is not repeated, the effects of abuse and traumatic stress can linger and trickle down from generation to generation in the form of fear, anxiety, shame, grief, unhealthy core family beliefs and behaviors, negative relationships, or unconscious cues and messages” (BetterHelp, 2021). There is no saying where...
Is Sexual Abuse Declining Or Is It Just Underreported?
By: Whitney Derman In recent years, reports of Sexual Abuse seem to have gone down slightly. The question is, “Why?” Is less abuse happening, or is it just not being reported? Both factors come into play, but one is more prevalent. Sexual Abuse and harassment are taken much more seriously than in the past, with sexual harassment seminars often being required for school and work and consent being a large part of sex education. People have also been encouraged to speak about their experiences with movements like “Me Too.” Mostly in Western society, there is less shame surrounding individuals who...
Extreme Religious Abuse: Healing Spiritually & Mentally
By: Mandie Schreck Spiritual or Religious Abuse is very complex because it has many layers. Not only does some Religious Abuse affect individuals mentally for the rest of their life, but it can also include other forms of abuse we educate on at ARO. When Spiritual Abuse coincides with Sexual, Narcissistic, Spousal, or Child Abuse, that’s when it becomes an extreme type of Religious Abuse. Spiritual Abuse can entail using scripture or sacred text to humiliate or demean the individual or enforce physical or emotional abuse (Brennan, 2020). Extreme Spiritual Abuse causes alienation, exhibits multiple forms of abuse, and completely...