How to Rise Above Abuse

Anyone that has ever been physically, mentally or emotionally abused knows that the effects persist long after the abuse itself has stopped. Being abused weighs on your mind heavily and reduces your self-worth considerably. Many people suffer from the notion that the abuse they suffered was deserved, and this leads to feelings of guilt and low self-esteem. These things make the road out of abuse a tough one. Once you have learned how to overcome these mental barriers and get to the root of your issues, you'll be able to rise above abuse.

Instructions

Instructions

• 1

  Seek mental health counseling. If you cannot afford a therapist, look for crisis centers and free health clinics in your area. They will be able to provide you with a free-to-low-cost mental counselor or at least refer you to one.

• 2

  Spend time cultivating your interests. Get into gardening or start taking a dance class. The point is to regain self-worth by investing time in things that both make you happy and add to your skill set.

• 3

  Exercise. Getting physically fit will not only increase the level of endorphins and good-mood chemicals in your brain, you will have better self-esteem and a greater feeling of control and power when physical threats are present.

• 4

  Remove the person who abused you completely from your life. This means breaking ties with mutual friends you might have with that person and removing any items from your home that may remind you of them. You are looking for a clean slate to rebuild your life and your mentality.

• 5

  Relocate if possible. Getting away from the environment where the abuse occurred will make it easier to deal with it and eventually get over it. Most importantly, though, you won't have to fear running into your abuser anymore.