Each Verbal Abuse Story Is Unique

It can be hard to talk about a situation that involves verbal abuse. Many victims can be hesitant to share their verbal abuse stories, especially when they are afraid of backlash or gaslighting from others. This reluctance is a barrier that can keep individuals from leaving abuse, healing, and moving forward. 

Your Unique Verbal Abuse Story

Unfortunately, verbal abuse comes in many forms. Some individuals will experience debilitating insults, while others may face blatant disregard for their needs and wants. This variance does not make anyone's story better or worse than your own, only different. 

One critical aspect to remember is that your experience with verbal abuse is unique, and it can vary significantly from someone else's story. Therefore, you should not use this contrast as a way to gauge severity or relevance. Each person's encounter with verbal abuse will give them a host of different feelings and outcomes. 

Talking to other victims can be a terrific way to help heal and move forward with your life, but it should not be a means to compare your suffering with others who have experienced verbal abuse. 

The Curse of Comparison 

The curse of comparison is a well-known phrase that dominates many social circles. While it often refers to comparing your lifestyle, possessions, and achievements to others, you may find yourself comparing your abuse to someone else's experience. The result can make you minimize your tragedy and dismiss the abuse that you face each day. 

Avoid comparing your abusive circumstances to others. By doing this, you may only cause more harm to your own wellbeing. No matter how minuscule or slight you believe your situation is, any type of verbal abuse can cause a variety of damaging side effects, including: 

• Low self-esteem and self-worth
• Isolation 
• Depression 
• Anxiety
• Posttraumatic stress disorder 
• Guilt and hopelessness

Even one isolated incident of verbal abuse can create negative results in a victim's life. Remember that your situation is valid, and you have every right to seek help and treatment for any amount of verbal abuse you have faced. 

Coping and Moving On

Everyone has a set of coping strategies and tools to help them deal with the ill effects of verbal abuse. It may seem that one individual handles things better than you do, but you cannot know what goes on behind the scenes. Many victims will put on a brave face when interacting with friends, family, or coworkers while mentally falling apart alone at home. 

Even if you know someone who appears to have everything together after facing verbal abuse, talk to them openly. With honest dialogue, individuals will often find that other victims still require a listening ear or even recommendations for healing strategies. Your path to healing could help someone else as they struggle to find peace in their life after abuse. 

Remember never to disregard someone else's feelings or story. You do not want to dismiss the severity of their emotions and only provide comfort when possible. There is strength in numbers, so talking with other victims can help everyone find workable strategies and solutions to moving forward from verbal abuse.