When people think of abuse, they often imagine bruises or yelling—but mental abuse, especially when it comes from a parent, can be much harder to recognize and even harder to escape. It can be quiet, manipulative, and deeply embedded in the fabric of your life. And yet, it can leave scars just as deep as any physical wound.
If you’ve grown up with a parent who constantly belittles you, controls you through guilt, or makes you feel like you’re never good enough—you are not imagining things. That’s emotional abuse, and you deserve freedom from it.
What Mental Abuse from a Parent Looks Like
Abuse by a parent doesn’t always mean screaming or physical punishment. It can be more subtle, including:
Gaslighting: Making you question your reality—“That never happened,” or “You’re too sensitive.” Guilt-tripping: “After all I’ve done for you…” or “You’re breaking this family apart.”
Playing the victim: Turning every disagreement into your fault and making you feel responsible for their emotions.
Control: Micromanaging your life decisions, even as an adult.
Criticism disguised as concern: “I’m only saying this because I care,” followed by a harsh insult. Withholding love or approval: Making their affection conditional on obedience or perfection.
When this kind of behavior is constant, it chips away at your self-worth and can lead to anxiety, depression, and self-doubt.
Copyright 2025
Crystal Amon
Princess Crystal Says 
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