Why I Talk About Child Abuse

 

You're not being too sensitive, causing problems, or living in the past by bringing up issues that have and continue to cause you and other people pain. If we're going to heal, we have to acknowledge our wounds and tend to them. It's a process. Shoving everything down and ignoring harmful and inappropriate behavior will only lead to more pain and suffering in our lives and others. There are so many unhealthy cycles in families that need to be broken.

When I speak about my mental health and address something regarding my upbringing I often hear, "But your parents loved you and they did the best they could." Yes, while this may be true, it is usually irrelevant to the argument I'm making or the point I'm trying to get across. As someone who grew up in an abusive environment—intentional or not—I cannot remain quiet about the effects it has had on me. I would be doing a disservice to other people who went through similar occurrences; people who also felt alienated as children and who now struggle to understand themselves and heal.

We're human. We're complicated, we make mistakes, and most importantly we feel things. It's okay to be open and honest about the bad along with the good. If something needs to be fixed (lack of boundaries, the way someone talks to you, etc.) it has to be addressed first. Let's stop labeling people with traumatic backgrounds as "too sensitive," and avoid telling them that they're "living in the past." Rest assured, they want to move forward, but sometimes getting past traumatic events involves revisiting those painful moments. 

I'm going to start writing about the things in my childhood that I've identified as unhealthy and abusive because I want others with similar experiences to know they're not alone, and I want to raise awareness around child abuse, as it could save future lives.