1. This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Learn More.

What's the difference between physical and mental abuse?

by Killerbunny the god

Killerbunny the god This is something i thought about doing one night, and it actually disrupted my sleep that night (i managed to sleep after it, don't worry). Anyway, here you go
Since i have experienced both, i think my train of thought should at least be worth to think about (so should any train of thought be but that’s another discussion)


I believe there are numerous small differences but the biggest one is that physical abuse can’t survive without mental abuse while mental abuse leads to the victim abusing itself physically so the abuser can hide behind excuses more easily.


Even if the abuser won’t say anything when they abuse their victim physically, the victim will eventually become paranoid. “If i do/say this, will he/she hit me again?”. That happens quickly and that’s why physical abuse can’t survive without mental abuse. The mental abuse is like it’s built into the physical abuse.


Mental abuse take a longer time to turn physical, and “it’s never the abuser’s fault because he/she never even touched the victim”. Instead it’s the victim that will start feeling like he/she isn’t good enough, and will start seeking comfort in whatever they can grasp. It could be tobacco, alcohol, food or even school work/normal work. Whatever helps filling the hole the victim feel growing inside him/her. Eventually he/she get addicted and that’s when the abuse get physical. Except now it’s not the abuser who does it. It’s the victim that is responsible for what happens to the body.


A physical abuser leaves more obvious marks on the victim, while the mental abuser let’s the victim do the job for him/her. Which one is more dangerous? It’s impossible to tell. A physical abuser is more dangerous in a short time period. But the mental abuser is more dangerous if he/she gets enough time. So it depends on how dangerous the individual is.
Shikowara, k3nd7ix, ~Rinko~ and 2 others like this.
Tags: