Verbal abuse falls under the category of violence. Verbal abuse involves one person humiliating and assaulting another individual verbally.
It can be identified if the victim is facing:
- Yelling
- Name-calling
- Punishing you for not going along with what they want
- Trying to control your life
- Gaslighting
- invading your privacy
- Insulting
- Ridiculing
An emotionally abused individual might feel it is “his/her fault” for being verbally assaulted by the perpetrators. However, it is important to note that it is never the victim’s fault for the way they’ve been treated. It had nothing to do with the verbally abused individual and everything to do with the perpetrator who would verbally assault an innocent individual.
According to several studies, verbal abuse can be as painful as, or worst than physical abuse and can lead to several negative long-term effects such as:
- Social Withdrawal
- Loneliness
- Guilt
- Chronic Pain
- Insomnia
- Anxiety
- PTSD
The relationship between PTSD and verbal abuse is complicated. However, it exists. Verbal abuse can cause PTSD. Post-traumatic stress disorder can evolve in an individual after he/she had faced a traumatic, shocking, or terrifying event. A doctor might diagnose PTSD in an individual if he notices that the patient has been suffering from high levels of fear or stress for a long period. Such feelings of fear, and anxiety can be so intense, they could interfere with the daily routine of an individual.
Some of the symptoms of PTSD are:
- Insomnia
- Trauma flashbacks
- Negative thinking
- Rapid heartbeat
- Nightmares
- Anger outburst
- Easily startled
C- PTSD caused by verbal abuse can also be called a “complex post-traumatic stress disorder.” This means that its official diagnosis has not yet been made in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). However, numerous medical professionals have perfectly explained the difference between C-PTSD from PTSD and how it can be prevalent in individuals who were verbally abused. C-PTSD is also included as its own mental health condition in the International Classification of Diseases.
PTSD refers to a trauma response to a short-term or a one-time terrifying event such as a terrorist attack or sexual assault. Whereas complex post-traumatic disorder occurs due to ongoing trauma the victim might have faced in a helpless situation such as being a war prisoner, a domestic violence survivor, forced prostitution, or human trafficking.
Moreover, both individuals with PTSD and C-PTSD might experience similar symptoms such as trauma avoidance, hyperarousal, or reliving the trauma. However, the complex post-traumatic disorder might have its own symptoms such as an inaccurate image of the perpetrator of negative self-perception.
When any form of post-traumatic stress disorder is left untreated for a long time, it might manifest itself into stronger and worse mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety, or suicide.
To be able to move forward in life and developing a healthier lifestyle, it is important for an individual to seek proper medical help and develop the skills necessary to heal emotionally. C-PTSD might require intensive treatment and holistic care tailored according to the situations faced by the verbally abused victim.
Remember, it is important to seek treatment than to suffer in silence.