is there a psychological or mental health difference between a adult that?

Question

was abused as a child and a adult that was not abused as a child

are there any major differences

can you spot a adult that was sexually abused as a child

do these changes happen at the time of the abuse or do they come with age

thanks form your help


xxx vici

Answer 1

An adult raised in a good environment
will usually not have problems but not always. Many adopted kids raised in good environments do have problems, surrounding identity. Some become alcoholics and other destructive behavior may follow them.
Age, extent of abuse, and high or low ego
has an effect on whether a child will grow up and have problems because of the abuse.
Kids raised in homes where autonomy and self-expression are encouraged do better than those where differentiation is lacking. In other words, the kid doesn't know where he leaves off and his mother begins. He is less likely to say no if approached. Kids who feel free to express themselves can say no! forcefully and let the perpetrator know they mean business.
Adults who have been affected from abuse
do tend to be over-controlling of their own kids and everything else around them.
they may be shy and people pleasers who feel "bad" but can't put a finger on why they feel bad. They tend to marry people who are abusive. they blame themselves for things they can't possibly control.
They may be perfectionist's, or they may feel victimized and act like victims all their life. Adolescence can bring perils
that seem appealing to a youngster in pain. Drugs and alcohol, running away, poor school performance where they formerly did well, promiscuity, pregnacy,
smoking, can be traced to abuse of any kind. Kids will often say, the worst kind of abuse is when they are ignored
or treated like they don't matter. I hope this helps. I often write on the subject if you want to sign up for my answers.Good luck
and wee prayers

Answer 2

We are all individuals, and all abuse (sexual, physical, emotional) happens within a context which is unique. Therefore, the psychological issues which someone might manifest will be completely individual to a person.

Someone who has been sexually abused but whose life with their parents has been largely secure and happy may suffer relatively little trauma (I don't mean none, just relatively little). Someone whose family situation is chaotic and lacking in empathy will have a very different reaction. And of course, every individual comes into the world with their own sensitivities - some people are innately much more anxious and fearful than others, for example.

Whatever impact the initial trauma has had, the individual will have fewer problems if life goes well thereafter, and if, in the case of sexual abuse, whatever sexual relationships they have are empathic and sensitive. However, things may get more complicated in their psyche if relationships produce challenges. People who go for psychotherapy when they begin to recognise their problems can often (not always) work through things quite quickly and easily. People who keep themselves safe by shutting off (an entirely understandable way of doing things) may have more problems later on as all the disturbance stays internal.

As a psychotherapist, I often do have a sense within the first session about whether someone has been sexually or emotionally or physically abused, but I'm not always right and it's quite hard to describe exactly what I'm picking up on - but this only happens because the person is intentionally opening up about themselves. I wouldn't spot them in ordinary social contact.

Answer 3

Child abuse is a very traumatic event and can seriously damage somebody permanently, psychologically and sometimes physically.

It's not really possible to 'spot' a victim of child abuse as the trauma manifests itself different due to what's called individual differences. Some will repress it and never speak of it for the rest of their lives, some will become enraged and take it out on any children they may have but in most cases it destroys a person and leaves them unable to or makes them find it very hard to trust another adult on any sort of romantic/intimate level.

A person can 'snap' at any time, repressed memories can come back to light at any age, though usually this doesn't happen until the victim is an adult and away from their abuser. While they are a child and still with their abuser they are too young/scared/powerless to do anything and don't understand what's being done to them often.

Answer 4

There's definitely a difference. The adult who was abused as a child suffered some form of trauma while obviously the unabused adult did not. The difference occurs at time of abuse and as the abusee(person abused) progresses into adulthood. Children who're abused have a higher likelihood to be abusers in the future. Some of the adults who are abused as children might not show.They show depending on the extent of the abuse i.e the duration, the abuser, the age amongest so many other things

Answer 5

A very sensitive area Vici, unfortunately a child that has been abused in any form adulthood can be very difficult, this is something that is not just forgotten, symptoms usually are of a psychiatric nature, self harm, depression and self blame, always remember though this is not the abused persons fault in any way but it is that of the abuser, there are many tools that are used to eleviate some of the distress this can be counselling or sometimes medical help is needed.. Hope This Helps Your Answer..

Answer 6

It really depends on the person.

Some people will have full blown Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or Dissociative Disorders as a result.

Some people who have been abused will become sexual abusers of children themselves.

Some people will not be affected in the least.

However, in mental health settings they will make note of the fact that someone has a history of being sexually and/or physically abused or neglected; whether it was as an adult or in childhood. Apparently, this is done because they want to have as complete a picture of the person's history as possible and something like this may have an effect on their overall mental health (even though it may not be directly related to the patient's primary diagnosis).

Answer 7

My experience is that things get worse with time. It is not too noticeable at first. I may be able to spot an adult victim of abuse but I could not say why.

If you are entering a relationship with a victim of abuse, get out. It sounds heartless but it is not. It is the gift that keeps on giving. For a year or two of abuse to your mate you can endure suffering a lifetime. I have been married 19 years and most of that has been misery. Things are beginning to look up but when that happens your life may be gone. These things take time heal.

Answer 8

It depends on the person. Some people remained damaged and scarred. Some people repeat the behavior onto kids when they are grown and others seem, and are, completely normal. One thing that I have been told and do notice is that women who talk with little girl voice as their regular voice have almost always been sexually abused. I heard that from Dr. Drew on Loveline.
One more thing I would like to add, boys typically come out of abuse better than girls. It affects them less in the long run. However, men are more likely to repeat this behavior as well.

Answer 9

I think there are no physical differences however there are emotional differences. You can't spot a person who has been abused just by going on looks. The changes may occur during the abuse like dissociating while the abuse goes on. Ppl who have been abused may have severe emotional issues and it is recommended that they follow some sort of therapy to help them to be able to manage their issues.

Answer 10

This is purely anecdotal and seen in only a small sampling of people - but I have noticed that there are some sexually abused people who become overweight. My theory is that it is a cushioning against the outside world. But, I could definitely be wrong.