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"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me" Remember that old saying that we used as kids to try to cope with name-calling? It probably wasn't very successful then, and in fact, just isn't true. We now know that words can hurt.
We always knew that words could ... Views: 2355
Bullying is growing problem in Canada and the United States. In recent years bullying behavior has spawned needless school violence and adolescent suicides. This article details what the life of a bully is like and how it affects everyone involved.
The life of a bully is not what it seems. On ... Views: 1568
For ACoAs- (Adult-Children of alcoholics, abusers, abandoners & other narcissists)
ACoAs know how they would like their life to be: TO have a fulfilling career, loving relationships, less pressure, a little fun... and they try, struggle, obsess - but not much changes. They become more & more ... Views: 2717
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ON THE RISE- HOW CAN YOU PROTECT YOURSELF
Just this summer, Governor Schwarzenegger cut funding for all Domestic Violence Programs in the state of California as part of his $489 million in budget cuts. You certainly don’t need to be a psychic to predict an increase in ... Views: 1760
"NOW faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Heb 11:1
Whether your'e thinking about yesterday, pondering the events of today, visualising your future in ten years time, or remembering an experience in your childhood, you are creating NOW, in this ... Views: 945
IDENTIFYING PTSD FROM CHILDHOOD ABUSE
And 3 STEPS TO BEGIN HEALING
Bettina “Sparkles” Obernuefemannn
I’ve learned during the past 20 years that almost all of us on planet earth have experienced some kind of trauma or loss, now more commonly recognized as POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER ... Views: 1442
Tomorrow morning, Thursday May 28th, I travel to Oregon’s Capitol in Salem, to testify in support of House Bill 2827. This bill will lengthen the Statute of Limitations for those who have suffered sexual abuse. It is being met with much opposition from the Catholic church, the Mormon church and ... Views: 936
Although this headline will not appear in The New York Times or The Wall Street Journal maybe it should. The chances of a child being addicted to drugs to alter their moods in adulthood increase exponentially if they are prescribed medication by a psychiatrist or doctor at an early age. Parents ... Views: 1936
Are you one of those people who’s very confident, who makes new friends easily, who has no trouble asking someone for a date?
Or are you a person who lacks confidence, who fears rejection, who is constantly worried about whether other people really like him, or will reject him? Does your ... Views: 1267
Ritual abuse exists all over the world. There have been reports, journal articles[1][2][3], web pages[4][5][6][7][8][9] and criminal convictions of crimes against children and adults [10][11][12].
Contents
* 1 Definition
* 2 Origins of the term
* 3 Evidence
* 4 ... Views: 5700
Why did this happen to me? How could God let it happen to me? These are the questions we often ask ourselves when we are victims of any kind of abuse...whether it be spousal abuse or stranger abuse.
Now that I have your attention, allow me to introduce myself. I am Loretta Hall, victim of ... Views: 1310
When we think of children who have been sexually abused, we think of fear, anger and violence. Most sexual abuse survivors talk of the terror and disassociation surrounding the abuse. Many still feel that way as adults and don’t enjoy sex now, even in a loving relationship. But there are ... Views: 1817
Child abuse stories, including those by victims of physical abuse, rape and sexual abuse, can be very compelling. Others are likely to be shocked when you tell them about your story of abuse. However, if you take an attitude of observation, instead of judgment, you too can write about your ... Views: 4136
Millions of people enjoyed Michael Jackson’s genius as a showman, however, his legacy is even greater if we learn from his life story.
During a TV interview, “Living with Michael Jackson,” Michael stated he was beaten by his father. He was so terrified he became physically ill when he saw ... Views: 3427
My title is prompted by the oft repeated phrase: Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional.
What is your experience of this? Is suffering optional? Is that even a desirable goal? Or are there experiences that automatically cause suffering? Is there a function to “suffering” or feeling one’s ... Views: 1272
I’ve learned during the past 20 years that almost all of us on planet earth have experienced some kind of trauma or loss, now more commonly recognized as POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD). We become trauma victims when we experience natural disasters, murder, suicide, gang fights, robbery, ... Views: 6207
How can we stop being abusive with our spouse and be assertive instead? It’s easy once we learn a few simple communication techniques. When we are frustrated, disappointed, stressed, or angry what happens? We use our emotions in negative ways with our spouse. This causes a chain reaction and ... Views: 5336
Michael Jackson must have been under tremendous emotional stress in recent years. He went through a difficult trial. He had a strained relationship with his father. Additionally, being in the spotlight 24/7 can put tension on your emotional state.
News reports imply that Michael may have had ... Views: 3455
It kind of trails off after the holidays. We would love to keep the issue in the front of everyone and that child abuse happens all year long. Abuse doesn't take a holiday, doesn't take a day off, and we can't either. (Jane Donovan)
The it referred to in the quote is child abuse.
It was in ... Views: 1657
Now deceased, Michael Jackson is more powerful than ever before. This story has made frontline news in all the world’s paper for 3 days straight now. No other news is seemingly is so captivating; not Jon and Kate, not US economic woes, not even the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Michaels’ ... Views: 4893
It was 15 years ago and my life was different. Growing up I didn't plan on being a drug addict. I came from a good family, parents who loved each other and their kids. As a matter of fact this year they are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. All the love and good upbringing didn't ... Views: 2539
Are you familiar with any young people who have a domestic violence background? Would you be honored to instill in them a message that discourages inflicting harm against others, especially the ones they live with? You will learn methods you can use to mentor youth who have committed domestic ... Views: 1282
In every story worth telling, there is a colorful beginning.
This one begins with me…
When my stepfather started caressing me, and lightly tickling my arms, legs, and back, it felt nice.
I felt loved.
I was often watching television when he would cuddle with me on the sofa. My ... Views: 3234
Looking deeper
If you take a spiritual perspective, assuming that every experience in life is a potential healing lesson, an invitation from your higher self to learn and to grow, then challenges in your life may have a different “feel” to them. This is a major reframing!
If someone does ... Views: 1308
Blaming others
Scapegoating comes into common practice through processes that have been repeated throughout recorded history – in family, classroom, interracial and international settings. The targets of anger are always dehumanized. These “others” are painted by the blaming group as being ... Views: 1469
Each of us literally chooses, by his way of attending to things, what sort of universe he shall appear to himself to inhabit.
William James
Introduction
Anger is a natural response to being endangered or hurt. Challenges that commonly elicit anger include:
Being attacked verbally or ... Views: 1275
I often hear domestic violence survivors complain that the counselor they are seeing with their partner has sided with him/her. These victims expected to seek therapeutic remedy for the dysfunction that they live, and they discover they have gained another “enemy.”
Here are some things you ... Views: 1333
I am in my therapist’s office, after finding out about my daughter’s sexual abuse, and I am slowly recalling the morning after the first time I was sexually violated by my stepfather…..
I saw myself as a young child, sewing a cloak of many new colors, a cloak of artificial self-esteem and ... Views: 2125
Always interesting to see what thoughts run through my head as I try to shut down my conscious thinking and spend quiet time in the morning.
About fifteen years ago I sat in a treatment centre, Homewood, in Guelph, Ontario. I had been alcohol and drug free for about 3 months, and this did allow ... Views: 1432
Domestic violence help comes in all shapes and sizes. There is the crisis hotline to get you where you need to go ASAP. Then, there are the community domestic abuse support groups that assure you that “you are not alone.”
Your domestic violence shelter will give you all the resources for your ... Views: 1192
Those who are looking for sensationalism and all the pomp and glory that go along with being a rock god may be disappointed in Clapton: The Autobiography. Some people think that Eric Clapton came across as shallow in this memoir and that his behavior over the years, particularly to women, was ... Views: 1531
WHAT IS CHILDHOOD ABUSE?
Child abuse can take the form of any act of emotional, physical or sexual abuse perpetrated against a child. Child abuse can also take the form of neglect: ignoring the child's emotional and or physical needs. Child abuse can take place inside and outside of the ... Views: 1623
For almost every battered woman and abused man I work with, there is a layman’s label attached to the core of their self-perception. This label is typically bestowed upon them by their battering partner or by allies supporting his/her plight to save face and to discredit and silence the ... Views: 1615
Evan exploded. His one-year-old son had dropped cereal on the floor for the third time. Usually, Evan has lots of tolerance when his son dropped things, but today he had none. He knew his reaction was over the top for something relatively minor. Later, when he thought about his reaction he ... Views: 1412
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. We take one day to remember mothers and fathers, those who gave their lives for this country, the signing of The Declaration of Independence, a man who gave his life in the name of civil rights, and the day Christ was born. I have often wondered ... Views: 1057
There is a method that any person can use, in any situation, to overcome any addiction immediately. That is a powerful statement - one that you might have a hard time believing. The very idea seems rather ridiculous, doesn’t it?
I am not just talking about the more common addictions such as ... Views: 1442
Talk to a partner or friend – they could help you highlight some self-help ideas.
Try to stop drinking alcohol on weekdays and make some minor lifestyle changes like increasing your physical activity.
When you are drinking, try to substitute every second drink with water, non-alcoholic beer, ... Views: 1871
As a psychologist, domestic abuse consultant and one who has known domestic violence personally, I’m frequently approached by battered women for “psychological truth.” They are eager to know if the names and labels given to them by their abusive partners, or by the court agents acting on their ... Views: 1388
Every month should be Child Abuse Prevention Month. As a parent educator, mother of three children and former preschool teacher, I am appalled by the growing rate of child abuse, neglect, maltreatment and murders in our country.
Why is it that, in a country such as ours, where we are always ... Views: 1568
Child abuse is a painful reality, but one that is preventable. As caring, thinking adults, we could have a profound impact on the lives of vulnerable children if each and every one of us reached out to other adults and inspired them to help protect kids. As a community, we can make a difference ... Views: 1502
Some wounds are so severe that words cannot capture their complete pain. Being pushed out of one’s children’s lives or the lives of your grandchildren is one of these.
When this is yours, the depths of it take your breath away. I hear women tell me the cries that come out of them over their ... Views: 935
In my freshman year of high school, one of my closest friends suffered severely from a clinical depression that required both therapy and medication. Not only had she even attempted suicide, she was confronting the repressed memories of childhood sexual abuse by her former stepfather.
It was ... Views: 1058
We know it happens; yet when we see it, we’re in shock. And when we experience it, we’re numb. How can a family member, who once claimed to cherish you, plot to back you into a fabricated psychiatric label and sentence of craziness?
That is the question that dumbfounds anyone who walks in these ... Views: 3811
All of us have been emotionally hurt at one time or another—it doesn’t matter who and what you are, really. However, there are also people who seem so totally unreceptive to emotional pain. These are the type who doesn’t give a smack when someone tries to get close to them with a bit of an ... Views: 4444
There is no ‘cook-book’ Relationship Advice solution for an unhealthy abusive relationship. Being involved in a relationship that has reached the point where it’s a constant cycle of abuse is not healthy for either partner and unfortunately there is no ‘quick-fix’ for this type of situation. ... Views: 1591
Alcoholism, drug abuse and eating disorders are often misunderstood.
These diseases include a soul-sickness. The people in the grips of these afflictions are spiritually ill, too. The illness can even spread to family members and friends.
The recovery process has produced countless untold ... Views: 7587
Domestic abuse victims heal and transform themselves at different rates. You can tell when their recovery process remains in progress, yet to be completed. And if you are a domestic violence survivor, you know when you’re still wearing that “I’m a Victim” hat.
Here are some tell-tale signs that ... Views: 1395
Privileged communication and expert witness testimony are two areas that battered women and abused men may come to know in their divorce proceedings. However, the way in which these two interact is not always clear. And unfortunately for some the consequences pose a significant loss.
This ... Views: 1043
Many women say they where glad when their partners hit them, because in that moment the light went “on” and they knew exactly what they were dealing with: domestic abuse, intimate partner violence.
But for abused men, the physical abuse doesn’t always turn the light “on.” More often it sends ... Views: 1344
Abusive conduct is not a uniform, homogeneous phenomenon. It stems and emanates from multiples sources and manifests in a myriad ways. Following are a few useful distinctions which pertain to abuse and could serve as organizing, taxonomical principles (dimensional typologies) in a kind of ... Views: 2068