How can you help an adult man whom you think may have been abused as a child? It might be a fog thought. Maybe it's completely off base. There are so many signs that something...wrong happened to this man. Something inside him hurts. There is more in the onion waiting to be peeled away. Maybe he's a better liar and actor than I think but there is something at the base of this that I need to understand.

Does anybody have any experience with this?

How can you help an adult man whom you think may have been abused as a child

What makes you think he was abused as a child?

Carol,

Your post draw my attention because I was abused as a child. If your H was abused, he must first come to the realization himself that he needs help. He must first become willing to receive professional help. This is very important. However, you sound like a very caring and loving W – someone who is able to see ‘further than the surface’… Try to create an atmosphere that will give your H the opportunity and allow him to open up towards you. Show your H that you are concerned about him but don’t put too much pressure on him.

If I may ask, what exactly are the signs that gave you the impression that he may have been abused as a child? And what type of abuse do you suspect? Emotional, physical, sexual? Do you suspect abuse from his parents? If so, there is a very good book I can recommend. The name of the book is “Toxic parents” and Dr Susan Forward wrote it. It's a self-help book but best to work through it with a professional therapist.

If you suspect sexual abuse, you can go to this thread. You will find some good book recommendations, website links and other useful info. Some of the info on this thread will be useful for other types of child abuse as well.

Suzet

<small>[ January 25, 2005, 07:10 AM: Message edited by: Suzet* ]</small>

^^Bump^^