Emotional Abuse, an Intangible Truth

E27 Is This Real Or Is This All Happening Inside My Head

Are you sure this really happened to you? Are you not just making it up?

If I am not asked by some judgmental outsider than I am asking myself that same question. I have no tangible evidence of much of the abuse. It is memories, feelings, conversations and connected dots. When I tell my story, like I have been doing here, I know that I am telling you exactly what happened and how I felt. I KNOW this happened to me, and still, my brain sometimes tries to deny it.

Emotional abuse is hard to wrap your head around at any level I suppose.

It is at those moments that I like to remember one of my favorite Harry Potter quotes:

Harry Potter: “Is this real, or is this all happening inside my head?”
Albus Dumbledore: “Of course it is happening inside your head Harry, but why would that mean it’s not real?”

(From Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, by J.K.Rowling)

Thanks, Albus, for reminding me.

Emotional abuse is something that takes place in our heads, but why WOULD that mean that it is not real? Why are we so busy denying the reality of our own mind? Consider that PTSD, something that many survivors experience, is something that can actually be observed on brain scans. We know that the brain responds in the same way when a person is verbally attacked as it would as a result of physical violence. We know this, but we still wonder if we are just making it all up.

So, in answer to those questions? Yes, I am sure, and no I am not making it up.

Fly Free,

Mags
Operations Manager

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Mags

Having gained experience while working for a variety of European non-profits, I am proud to now work with SwanWaters. My connection with the website is not only professional. I am glad to tap into my personal experiences to help those who are living in toxic relationships whether with parents, partners or in their professional life. We need to make the world more aware of the devastating effects of emotional abuse and help more people on their way to heal and thrive.