The emotional impact of child abuse on survivors can be profound and long-lasting. Some survivors are not conscious of how their emotions have been affected by their experiences, while others feel these effects very keenly. Thankfully, there is a lot of support available if you’re dealing with the emotional after-effects of childhood abuse or you suspect that someone you love might need help.

There are many different emotional impacts that people can feel after experiencing abuse. Understanding these symptoms will help to determine what type of treatment will be best for you. It will also show you that you’re not alone. If you’ve faced abuse, you should know that lots of people have had similar experiences to yours. Sometimes sharing your story with other people is the best way to start the healing process. This can begin by recognising the emotional impact of abuse.

Here, we’ve explained some of the most common effects of abuse to help you put your feelings into words. Abuse takes many forms and it’s different for everyone. Still, many of the consequences are the same, especially in terms of the way you feel. If you’re struggling with any of the emotions below, don’t hesitate to reach out for help.

What are the emotional effects of abuse?

For many people, the biggest emotional impact of abuse is that their feelings get bigger and harder to control. Survivors often find it hard to regulate their emotions. This can lead to intense emotional responses like explosive anger or long-lasting sadness. It can also have the opposite effect. Survivors may struggle to express their emotions at all and experience periods of emotional numbness.

Abuse can often lead to feelings of worthlessness and an unhealthy self-image. Survivors might struggle with persistent feelings of shame and guilt. Many people internalise abuse and act as if it reflects their value as a person. Even if you know that this isn’t true, it’s hard to stop this kind of behaviour without help from a doctor or mental health professional.

Challenges in relationships can affect child abuse survivors for a long time. For 8 out of 10 children who experience abuse, it’s carried out by someone they know. Children put their trust in adults and when this is broken it can lead to serious trust issues that are hard to repair. Similarly, survivors may struggle with intimacy or a fear of abandonment. This can make it feel like a risk to form new relationships with people - whether that means romantic relationships, friendships or other types. It makes it harder to form healthy attachments to other people.

Sometimes, these feelings can be linked to a specific mental health condition. Many survivors are diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and have symptoms such as flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, and uncontrollable thoughts about the abuse. Depression and anxiety are also among the most common mental health disorders faced by survivors of child abuse. You may feel constant sadness, loss of interest in activities, or excessive worry and fears. 

When abuse goes on for a long time, survivors can develop complex PTSD. This means that they experience disruptions in their consciousness, emotional regulation, and self-image all at the same time. All of these conditions can also make it harder to make friends or reach out for help. If you believe you have PTSD or another of these conditions because of abuse, you should speak to a doctor for support.

What kind of help is available?

Survivors of child abuse can seek various forms of treatment to help manage and overcome the emotional effects. A treatment plan has to be tailored to your specific symptoms and needs. It will usually involve a combination of the following:

• Cognitive behavioural therapy can help patients to identify and change negative thinking patterns and behaviours and develop coping strategies for emotional challenges.
• Group therapy provides a platform for survivors to connect with others who have had similar experiences. This can help reduce feelings of isolation and shame and can be a valuable space for learning and practising interpersonal skills.
• If family relationships are contributing to stress, or were damaged due to the abuse, family therapy can help to repair and rebuild those relationships. By improving communication and understanding among family members, some survivors can get more of the support they need.
• Medications can be used to manage symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Psychiatrists often prescribe antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications or other medicines to help stabilise survivors’ moods.
• Yoga, meditation, deep breathing and other relaxation techniques can help manage the physiological symptoms of trauma and anxiety, aiding in overall emotional regulation.

It's important for survivors to work with professionals who specialise in trauma and abuse to make sure they get the most appropriate treatment. Finding the right support and therapy can be a critical step in the journey towards healing and recovery. This isn’t always easy. There are sometimes long waiting lists for mental health support through the NHS.

However, there might be an alternative. Speak to a solicitor about your experience to find out whether you can claim compensation. If you can, you might be able to secure private medical treatment. Compensation can be used to pay the costs for this type of treatment in many cases and this can be a faster way to start your recovery. An expert child abuse compensation solicitor can explain whether or not you’re able to claim and start the process on your behalf. The solicitors at Switalskis can also put you in touch with people who can help you deal with the emotional consequences you’re feeling.

When you’re ready to talk about your experiences, Switalskis will be there. All our conversations are confidential, meaning that we won’t tell anyone what you’ve said. We can advise you on your legal options - whether that means compensation or criminal charges for any person or institution that was responsible for your abuse. With our help, you can get the treatment you need and the justice you deserve.

If you're ready to ask for help or need legal support for a compensation claim, Switalskis is here to help. Call us today at 0800 138 0458 or contact us through our website .