What Abuse Does To Your Brain

What does abuse really do to your brain? Whether it’s emotional abuse, psychological manipulation, or physical violence, trauma doesn’t just hurt in the moment—it can actually rewire your brain.

In this video, we dive into the psychology of abuse and explain how it affects your emotions, memory, decision-making, and relationships. From emotional numbness to anxiety and trust issues, we break down what’s really going on inside the brain of someone who’s been through trauma.

If you’ve ever struggled with the long-term effects of abuse or want to better understand someone who has, this video is for you.

Researcher/Writer: Chloe Avenasa
Script Director: Kelly Soong
Voice Artist(s): Amanda Silvea
Animator & Storyboarder: Yoki
Animation lead and Voice Director: Cindy Cheong
Project Manager: Tai Khuong
Producer: Yours Truly Psych2Go

References and sources for further readings:

- Plumptre, E. (2021). *Mental Health Effects of Different Types of Abuse.* VeryWell Mind.
- Gowin, J. (2012). *The Damaging Impact of Abuse on Brain Development.* Psychology Today.
- Telloian, C. (2022). *What Are the Effects of Emotional Abuse?* Psych Central.
- Saeed, K. (2017). *Long-Term Narcissistic Abuse Can Cause Brain Damage.* Psych Central.
- Gruhn, M. A., & Compas, B. E. (2020). *Effects of Maltreatment on Coping and Emotion Regulation.* Child Abuse & Neglect.

[Psychgo]

The first version couldn't be search anymore on Youtube unfortunately, so we released a newly animated version for you. We feel this is a topic that resonates with a lot of people and wanted to get it out again. Hopefully, you find it helpful.

[sandiletwala]

Honestly as someone who has endured verbal abuse, gaslighting, manipulations and physical abuses, I just learned to bottle everything on the inside and just feel numb to the point where I just get used to every type of abuse without reacting or anything. So whether you hurt me or abuse me it's just another day at the office for me honestly. I don't care.

[OneOnOne]

The "do not hesitate to seek out help from loved ones" I have to admit doesn't hit the same when the abuse was by the people who are supposed to be "loved ones" like both of your parents. And my social anxiety and depression got so severe that I have no one else in my life. I believe I'm stuck and will never be ok again. Maybe I could've healed at least partially if things had gone differently. But they didn't. Nobody was there to help me get better and be a reliable, loving presence in my life. And no one ever will be.

[Moonlight-sukl]

To all people who have been abused I hope 🤞 everything will be alright. Warm hug 🤗 and remember it’s not your fault. 😊

[strawberryb.]

As someone who's been abused and am actively being emotionally abused, I just want a hug and to be told it'll all be okay over and over

[supermegaawesomeultragal]

Wow. You just explained my whole life. 29 years of severe abuse. And here I thought my memory and emotional issues were from just not being able to find help to medicate my adhd...
Damn... Abuse can ruin someone's entire life. Even long after the abuser is gone.

[LK-vx-dr]

so anoying that some idiots can just cause so much damage just because they dont know how to control their words and actions .

[LesleySASMR]

It’s wild that I immediately want to minimize my own experience because I read the comments and think “it isn’t as bad as others.”

To anyone reading this, please remember that your experience is no more or no less than anyone else’s. It is your own and it is valid. You are valid. ❤

[Terry-hmbs]

From the age of 4 to 18 I was physically, mentally, and verbally abused. Nobody helped me. At school I have been bullied and was not helped there too. I had no safe haven and I had No childhood. You hit the nail right on the head! I felt like I was always the skeleton in the closet and was called an attention getter as well as insane. After my dear husband died. It took me over 29 years to get the help I needed. I saw this and said wow! Thank you for this.

[kayleighdriessen]

I've been through serious emotional verbal abuse before but thankfully I allowed this past-misery to build character instead of destroying it.

[Falling_star]

My mom was very emotionally abusive and controlling. What’s frustrating is I have reached out to people friends and professionals. Nothing has ever been done besides coping methods don’t help. My friends get tired of hearing me complain and professionals don’t care. I feel so broken and can’t feel happiness or love. Just anxiaty, depression and anger

[harleyy_]

I hate how ppl say that "you are strong because you went thru that, it's OKAY bcs u r strong" i didn't need to be strong!!! I needed to be safe. Every child deserves to grow up in a loving and safe environment. Those who have went thru abuse r more prone to mental illness than those who didn't go thru it. They r more sadder than those who didn't. To say that trauma makes you stronger is to invalidate the persons feelings and what they went thru at such a young age. Especially during our developmental years, we r still learning all about life and what to make of it. Imagine being so young n going thru such horrendous abuse? Smtn no person deserves to experience. What's sad is tht some ppl r better off than others.

Some ppl r blessed to have grown up in a loving n supportive community. Having no trouble at school or at home, and genuinely living a happier life compared to most ppl. While others grow up feeling disliked n hated by everyone, feeling unworthy, unwanted, worthless, unloveable.

Then we have some children who end up self harming themselves at such a young age. Or they end up taking drugs to cope.
I was lucky enough to have restraint, so i didnt do drugs n i didnt engage in self harm behaviours, but ik ppl who did!

Thanks for making these self help videos. More n more ppl need to hear this.

[JamieVanBerg]

The hardest part of my healing journey was realizing how much I was holding onto. I had no idea how to let go of the past until I started practicing mindfulness. Shift Your Mind by Alexander Brooks was a turning point—it showed me how to release the weight I had been carrying for so long. Forever grateful. 💙

[Torivic]

No matter how many times i got physically and verbally abused i never stop crying. People do say it makes me look ugly and weak when i cry, they also do say I am stupid if i cry, or they will slap me if i cry. No matter what they say, I do still want to cry because i want to allow myself to feel that the stuff i see and experience isn't right. I do want people to see that they hurt people. I do want to warn people that those people are abusive if simply reporting on them doesn't work.. I do want to let people know that I am alive and my feelings and emotions are valid and i am not a robot.

[halland]

TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 Firstly, intro the video
1) 0:37 The Brain Under Stress
2) 1:25 Memory and Learning
3) 2:14 Emotional Blunting
4) 2:56 Emotional Dysregulartion
5) 3:44 Inplusive Decision-Making
6) 4:43 Depression and Anxiety
5:43 Outro video. ❤

[arthurpenfield]

30 years of abuse, really took its toll on my outlook on humans.

[Popmycherryyo]

The choice of Moonlight Sonata as the song in the background is good damn close to PERFECT

[jagritikumari]

As someone who's been through physical abuse in the name of parental discipline, constant emotional & physical scars inflicted by both parents & teachers, faced minor bullying & loneliness in all of my school - life & finally, someone who herself relates to this video; I have already detected most of what is stated here. However, to listen from some other person that my feelings are valid, just makes me more confident about myself & I'm healing myself ❤❤.

[DailyReadMotivationHub]

This is such an important topic! The way abuse rewires the brain is something more people need to understand. The breakdown of emotional numbness, anxiety, and trust issues really sheds light on the long-term effects of trauma. Thanks for making this—it’s eye-opening and informative!

[rindenauge]

I am thankful for all the abuse I received in my life, because it opened my eyes about humanity. Realizing how stupid humans actually are makes it easier to live alone by yourself.