Bruises on the Inside - About the Book (page 1)

What is emotional abuse?: If we suffer psychological abuse and emotional abuse, is the pain different to what we feel when physically abused? Surprisingly, Neuro imaging scans show that, whether pain is psychological or physical, the same part of the brain - the anterior cingulated cortex - is activated. - D & J Freeman (2008) Paranoia: The 21st Century Fear. When living in a relationship that is abusive, sometimes it is hard to define it as such. What is abuse? I used to believe that domestic violence meant the victim was beaten black and blue or had bones broken, and endured this over and over. For me it was defined as physical. When I first heard the words 'domestic violence' attributed to my own situation, I thought it must be a mistake. I had been physically attacked only a couple of times over many years, but it was the mind games that broke me. Emotional and psychological abuse left me with scars as deep as any cut. I thought that leaving would end the torment , but it was the beginning of a nightmare I thought would never end. I found myself fighting for my life, my sanity and for my children. There were times I didn't think I'd make it. I had no support and didn't know where to find it. I didn't know what existed out there to help, or how to reach out and ask for it. I thought no one else would understand. I doubted my own thoughts, my feelings and my decisions. I was hurt, disappointed and let down so many times I trusted no one.