Abuse Articles

Medically Reviewed By: Aaron Horn, LMFT, MA

What is Abuse?

Abuse is the intentional harm of a person. Anyone can abuse another person, and anyone can be the target of abuse, including children, adults, and even the elderly. Abuse is harmful to survivors and often leaves them with a feeling of helplessness or hopelessness. Sometimes, these feelings might develop into mental health conditions like depression, PTSD, or anxiety.

If you know that you or a loved one is being mistreated, it can be important to speak up and find support. Over time, abuse can escalate, particularly without intervention. There can be dire consequences of staying in an abusive relationship or situation. Recognizing the different forms of abuse and the signs that someone is being abused can be helpful for identifying and fighting against it. Here, we’ll explore the different types of abuse and discuss how online therapy can offer a safe environment for those who have experienced mistreatment.

Forms Of Abuse

Abuse can look different from situation to situation. Recognizing that every person can have a unique experience with abuse may be useful in identifying the signs. The following are some of the different forms of abuse that a person might be exposed to.

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse is when someone intentionally physically harms another person. This could include hitting, punching, spitting, kicking, or any other type of physical violence. Even disciplining children can get out of hand and fall into the category of physical abuse. People who physically abuse others will often attempt to hide or disguise the marks that they leave on their targets. These marks are more than skin deep, however. The lasting effects of physical abuse can lead to lifelong fear and anxiety in the survivor. 

Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse is the sexual exploitation of another person. Consent is essential when it comes to any form of sexual activity, and it can be crucial to teach children at a young age that no means no. If there is not enthusiastic consent from both individuals, then any sexual act can be considered a violation of a person’s body. A young child or a person who has passed out from drugs or alcohol cannot give consent and falls into this category, too. The sexual act could be intercourse, fondling, kissing, or any other sexual advance or action. Communication and clear boundaries can help prevent sexual abuse. By speaking up, you can also help prevent others from being abused.

Emotional Abuse

Emotional abuse occurs when a person verbally attacks another person or puts them down with their words. The individual engaging in emotional abuse might belittle their target or call them names. Emotional abuse is often hidden from other people because of feelings of shame or doubt. Although you cannot see or touch the scars, they are still there. Emotional abuse can severely affect a person’s self-esteem and ability to function. Someone who is emotionally abused often doesn’t know how to fight back because they have been convinced that they are helpless or worthless. Once an individual realizes that what they’re experiencing is abuse and not love, they can begin to fight back by removing themselves from the situation or seeking other forms of support.

Medical Abuse

Medical abuse occurs when a person in a position of authority conveys false information about another individual’s health. This type of abuse is a form of neglect because the individual being abused is not receiving the adequate healthcare they deserve and need. Children may also experience medical abuse if their parent or caregiver has a condition like factitious disorder imposed on another (previously called Munchausen syndrome by proxy). This is when a person falsely claims that their child (or someone else they’re caring for) has an illness or intentionally creates symptoms to cause illness in that person. Usually, factitious disorder imposed on another develops as a way to get attention and sympathy. 

Neglect

Neglect is characterized by the failure to provide for someone’s basic needs and can happen to individuals of any age. It may be most common in child abuse cases, where parents or guardians do not provide for the child’s basic needs such as food, shelter, clothing, education, or medical care. Neglect can happen to older adults and the disabled community as well because these individuals may rely on others to take care of them on a daily basis.

Child Abuse

Child abuse is the intentional or unintentional harm of a minor— a person under the age of 18. Forms of child abuse include physical, emotional, sexual, and neglect. Children who have been abused might show some or all of the following signs: 

• Withdrawal from activities with peers
• Isolation
• Depression
• Aggressive behavior
• Being absent from school
• Running away
• Rebellious behavior
• Suicide attempts

If you or a loved one is experiencing suicidal thoughts, reach out for help immediately. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be reached at 1-800-273-8255 and is available 24/7. You can also visit their website for information and resources.

If you suspect a child is being abused, it can be crucial to tell someone about it. You can call a school counselor, the police, or child protective services. Do not stay silent; you could save a child’s life.

Domestic Violence

Domestic violence or domestic abuse occurs within a home or family unit. It causes serious harm to another person and can happen to people of all ages. Sometimes partners abuse each other, or parents might abuse their children. The term “violence” encompasses all forms of abuse, whether it is violent or not. For example, mental and emotional abuse falls under the category of domestic violence because these forms of abuse still cause harm. If you or a loved one is in a toxic domestic environment, it can be imperative to seek help. Resources like Safe Horizon or The Hotline offer tips and support for those experiencing domestic violence.

 

Overcoming Abuse With Online Therapy

If you are in an abusive relationship or environment, online therapy can provide a safe space to discuss your feelings. A therapist can help you figure out how to get the help you need and offer emotional support along the way. If you have experienced abuse or trauma in the past, a licensed online therapist at BetterHelp can support you in your healing journey. With online therapy, there’s no need to leave the house for appointments or worry about waiting lists. Because you can chat with a therapist using phone calls, video chats, or in-app messaging, you may find it to be a more accessible, private, and convenient way to get support.

The Efficacy Of Online Therapy

Research has shown that online therapy can be beneficial for those who have experienced abuse. In one study, researchers assessed the efficacy of an internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) intervention for survivors of intimate partner violence. The outcomes of the study showed that participants experienced statistically significant reductions in PTSD, depression, and anxiety. They also showed improvements in their quality of life.

The Takeaway

Abuse comes in many different forms and can affect people of any background, age, gender, or race. The signs of abuse aren’t always obvious and can vary from situation to situation. Whether you’re currently in an abusive relationship or have experienced some type of abuse in the past, healing is possible. While the journey to health and happiness after abuse may not always be easy, it can be within reach with the right support. By working with an online therapist, you can learn how to overcome traumatic experiences and move forward toward a more fulfilling life.