The shocking truth about words: How childhood comments can scar for life
As children, we absorb the words of adults without question. They become the mirror through which we see ourselves.
According to Eamon McCrory, clinical psychologist and professor at University College London, harmful words can deeply influence a child’s self-perception.
These early experiences can later manifest as anxiety, pain, and feelings of inadequacy.
Rather than being forgotten, harsh comments can stay hidden inside us, quietly steering our lives without our awareness.
The brain rewires itself under verbal attack
Recent studies show that repeated verbal abuse does not just hurt emotionally.
It can physically alter the brain’s structure and function.
Eamon McCrory’s brain scans demonstrate how threat and reward centers are impacted.
Children who grow up surrounded by verbal hostility often see the world as dangerous.
Neutral situations can seem threatening, pushing them away from social connections and relationships.
The psychological damage
Experts such as Peter Fonagy from UCL and Andrea Danese from King’s College London warn that verbal abuse is widespread yet often ignored.
In the UK alone, 41 % of children regularly experience it.
The psychological damage can rival that of physical abuse.
Researchers are now urging governments to recognize verbal abuse as a serious cause of mental health problems.
Kind words and emotional support are not just comforting. They are critical for children’s healthy development and sense of self.
Artiklen er baseret på informationer fra The Guardian.