Are some forms of abuse worse than others?

Answer 1

The answer to your question is subjective and depends upon your personal level of tolerance. However, abuse is always wrong and always damages its victims. All types of abuse cause emotional damage.

The qualification of abuse depends upon the people involved. You have probably heard about women who have stood by their abusive husbands for many decades and have taken the abuse without much complaint. Why do women, who have been beaten and demeaned, stay in their relationships?

On the one hand, they may have come from abusive homes and have accepted the abuse as normal. Consequently, they are able to tolerate their spouses' abusive behaviors. Perhaps their confidence has been destroyed and they have been brainwashed so that life without the abuse seems impossible.

On the other hand, there are people who refuse to continue in their relationships if their partners call them names for the first time. For these people, the relationships end permanently.

These are the extreme cases, and most people lie somewhere between.

Physical abuse is overt form of abuse, and it is an awful thing. This type of abuse has led to injury, hospitalization, and death among its victims. But to say that physical abuse is worse than other types of abuse is still subjective.

In the days when spanking a child was acceptable, I knew about many kids who would have preferred a spanking to being sent to their rooms or to receiving verbal criticism or the silent treatment.

Physical abuse is more tangible than other types of abuse. Since people relate to what they can detect, there is a greater social network that is more willing to help than it has in the past. By comparison, covert types of abuse do not exist in the eyes of society.

Sexual abuse is often more difficult to detect and may also be more difficult to prove without witnesses. Sexual abuse leaves emotional scars. Others often convince victims that they are overreacting or that they somehow invited the abuse. Consequently, many victims are encouraged to remain silent and to accept the abuse. This treatment may lead to one or more of a variety of psychological problems, which may include damaged self-esteem, depression, and suicidal feelings.

Emotional and verbal (psychological) abuse are treated with less seriousness than the first two types of abuse, but it is just as serious as the others are. Many of us were raised with the adage: "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me." That is a crock! Words do, indeed, hurt, especially when the victims constantly are bombarded with derogatory names, insults, and profanity.

So, how do you know which form of abuse is worse than the others? What can you personally tolerate? None of these forms of abuse is pleasant, and all are damaging. Some people have greater tolerance for abuse than others, who may have little or no tolerance.

The bottom line is that you may be in an abusive relationship

• if you feel anxious, terrified, or depressed about how you are being treated within your relationship;
• if your partner makes you feel responsible for his or her behavior;
• if you have lost yourself while trying to make your partner happy; or
• if you feel like a prisoner in your own home.

Broken bones will eventually mend, but emotional damage is harder to heal.

Psychological abuse is, by far, the worst. The effects are long lasting, often for life with many long-term relationships, and may affect your ability to trust others in new relationships.

I'm not sure about how one type of abuse can be worse than another. Each form of abuse targets different dimensions of its victims. It does not matter which dimension is destroyed: the person is unable function as a whole person in his/her daily life. So, no, I don't think that one form of abuse is worse than the another. Abuse in any form is a monstrously evil and should be eradicated.

I know, first hand, what physical and verbal abuse are like. I grew up with it. I can't say which is worse because both types leave their scars. Physical abuse leaves visible as well as emotional scars. Some scars heal and some remain. Some effects stay hidden and suddenly surface. When memories surface, you may feel as though you're spiraling out of control. One thought, especially, has helped me through the memories of those horrible times: I am not respounsible for the abuse. Also, as hard as it is, it's important to forgive (but not to excuse) the abuser. By forgiving the abuser, you can move beyond the abuse. My outlook, now, is not that I'm a victom; rather, it's that I'm a Survivor and am strong enough to deal with the memories as they come.

Anyone who is abused needs to tell someone s/he loves and trusts. A sister, a schoolteacher, or a friend are people to consider.

Psychological abuse is treated less seriously than, but is just as traumatizing as, other types of abuse. The recipient of the remarks, gestures, etc. feels degraded and unsafe, but, oftentimes, family, friends, counselors, etc. won't acknowledge that a problem exists. The psychological abuser can mistreat the victim when other people are in the room, but the abuse is often so subtle that it is nearly impossible to detect or to prove.

But, disregarding your struggles, you can get overcome them by realizing that you are beautiful and worthy of respect. Whenever someone hurts you or threatens you, s/he is disrespecting you.

Pschyologists can help you figure out a plan to make you feel safe and happy. When neccessary, psychiatrists can prescribe medication to treat depression. Many victims have been raised in abusive households but have used their anger and sadness to grow stronger and to aid others in need. In the process, they become successful and contented.

The answer to your question really depends upon the person being abused. I know a woman who tolerated her husband's beatings, but, when he started to verbally abuse her, she filed for divorce. Some people can tolerate the emotional pain but can't tolerate the physical pain. Sexual abuse is bad, as well, but it may not seem the worst to certain people.

Whatever treatment makes you feel less than a person is considered abuse, whether it is sexual, emotional, or physical. You have to know what you deserve and and how much respect you have for yourself and others. We are all only human, and each of us competes with everyone else. It is important to understand that being called a b*tch is verbally abusive and can lead to something much worse. Nobody deserves to be called a b*tch, which is a female dog. The name is vulgar and just plain wrong. Everyone handles things differently. Some people are stronger and can tolerate more than others can, but that doesn't mean that those people deserve their treatment.

All forms of abuse can be quite devastating. However, I have to say that sexual abuse is the worst. It happens more often than one would think, and there are many causes which go unreported. Sexual abuse usually occurs between a seemingly vulnerable person and a trusted relative, friend, or acquaintance, and can cause constant anguish. It's, perhaps, the most damaging form of abuse and can cause relationship problems for many years after the abuse. It robs young children of their innocence. This is not to say that other types of abuse don't yield similar results, but suicide occurs most frequently in victims of sexual abuse.