Is psychological abuse worse than physical abuse?

Answer 1

Psychological abuse, in my experience, cuts you up from the inside. Leaving no physical trace of its' existence, at all, but leaves behind some horrific scars on your inner self. While physical damage can lead to bad scarring, or any number of other healing problems, it's the things in your memory bank that you hang on to.
Not by choice, of course, as our choice was compromised by the inflicter of the abuse, but by our running our own tapes within. If you're told you're a bad person long enough, you begin to believe it. Especially children. It will also stay with you until you figure out how to dump this from your personal programming. Not an easy task at all, but possible.

Answer 2

I have never used torture, nor am I in the military. However I am guessing that a person is broken down mentally, even when being physically abused in an interncamp/being a POW. Most often, just the THREAT of violence can cause a person to react/implode/panic. And that is mental abuse, no? Many people were kept in camps without being tortured first, and they did so because they were mentally conditioned. Also, there was an experiment done (the name of the scientist is not coming to mind) where every time the 'lab head' would tap the person on the shoulder, the person was supposed to deliver an electric shock to the victim in the next room (the 'victim was actually acting out being shocked, each time more violently as the fake shocks were 'increased'). The experiment proved to continue until the point of 'death'. That's mental. But to physically abuse someone - I believe one must be mentally dearranged.

Answer 3

I think it depends more on the severity of the abuse and less on the actual type of abuse. Psychological abuse definitely stays with a person longer, and it can really screw with a person's head to the point that the abuse influences everything that person does and the relationships that person has with others. On the other hand physical abuse depending on the severity of the abuse, can lead to the death of that person,or can leave them permantly disabled. Also, I don't really think it is possible for someone to be physically abused, and not suffer pyschological repercussions from it. If a erson is physically abused, you can bet that there is pyschological abuse in that situation. For instance if a man is beating his wife, you can bet that he is also saying things, like" You are worthless" or anything else that would beat down her self esteem. I don't think there is any easy answer because this is not a black or white question. There is too much grey area.

Answer 4

Psychological abuse is for sure worse than physical abuse. With physical abuse, someone can only go for doctor and someday will discover.

With psychological abuse, someone will go for psychology doctor as well but take time to recover. If psychology doctor can't help, the victim might having phobia or loose confidence forever....

Answer 5

I believe so. When I was younger I was abused by my father, and the physical abuse was heightened by the knowledge that my father was hurting me, which is a psychological blow too. He also verbally abused me which could be considered psychological abuse, and although I don’t remember much of what he said, I still have the memory of him degrading me. He later on killed my mother, which was another psychological pain, and I will never forget any of it. The physical can heal by natural process, but the mind is much harder to restore. I struggled with that for many years. I was a very angry person, and it damaged the relationships that I had with those around me. I sometimes struggle with the memories today, but I know that I am out of that situation now, and that I can trust in God to do what He sees right with my life.

Answer 6

Psychological abuse is far worse than physical abuse. The reason is physical abuse heals, but Psychological abuse lasts forever in not only the victim, but also any others closely attached to the victim. (example: I am psychologically abused by my husband, thus I abuse my kids) Psychological abuse is a real sort of perpetuating abuse.

Answer 7

One can lead to the other. Being physically abused can create psychological abuse. I've received both. In some cases, they can make a person stronger and not tolerate it.

Answer 8

Physical abuse can't really exist without psychological abuse. It always makes its victims feel of less value or worth, thus it has a psychological effect.
Psychological abuse has an effect on its victim's physical health by depressing them in several ways. It makes one both physically & emotionally weaker, & one's immune system less strong.
They are both Very destructive, & something to be Avoided!

Help for Battered Women! ...
http://www.watchtower.org/e/20011108/article_01.htm

Help Your Children to Thrive
~ Harsh Words--Crushed Spirits http://watchtower.org/library/g/1997/8/8/article_01.htm

Protect Your Children! ...
http://watchtower.org/library/g/1993/10/8a/article_01.htm

How to Solve Problems Peacefully :
- Why They Resort to Violence
- How to Solve Problems Peacefully
http://www.watchtower.org/library/w/1998/11/1/article_01.htm

Life--Precious or Cheap?
- How Precious Is YOUR Life?
http://www.watchtower.org/library/w/2005/2/1/article_02.htm

Answer 9

I think it is. You can heal from physical abuse... tape it up with a bandaid, even see a doctor and when you look at the bruises you will say .."yep it looks good, it's healed"

Emotional abuse is different. U can see a doctor, but you dont have a sure way of knowing if you have healed completely. You cant stitch it up.. and you can end up in therapy for years before you're completley okay again.

Answer 10

I think so because psychological abuse can be very manipulative. If someone hits you then it's obvious you're being abused, but a psychological abuser can make you feel like you're the one who's crazy.