Have to respectfully disagree. Yes, many things hurt and even damage us to some extent. But it can be overcome. When people criticize and harass or whatever, I try to 1) examine what they are saying, and if true do something to correct. 2) More often, the actions of the other reflect their own issue, anger, poor lives or whatever. I like the line, the critic (or troll) sees a mirror and doesn't like it. Words, actions, whatever have no meaning other than what you choose. And you can choose.

Good luck.

@Mitch07102 Maybe if it was occasional or just one or two people harming a person but once the spirit gets broken it cannot be repaired completely if at all. Also, there is a small window of opportunity during brain development for certain things to ignite like bonding for example. If the child is living in constant fear during critical times of growth there is no repairing the damage done and that is a fact. We can learn to live with a lot of damage but there is a point of no return and scars that are left in the wake. Consider the woman that was locked in her fathers basement her entire life, raped and bore his children. Do you honestly believe she can overcome all that? Emotional damage is not much different than physical damage...some things can be fixed, some can be overcome but it is not true that everyone can overcome the damage or even live in society for that matter. I spent a year in a top security mental institution and I can tell you for a fact that if a person/animal is continuously abused they will die inside their own body. I have witnessed far too many empty shells, defeated souls to see eye to eye with you on this. I have also spent the past 50 years trying to overcome my own issues and I am consider "high functioning" but I feel terrorized ALL the time and have to be vigilant of my thoughts just to get off the couch. Therapy, drugs, yoga, college education about my illness, meditation....has only served to be a band-aid for me. My wounds do not fester as much as they used to but I never feel safe and THAT is a result of being consistently abused by care takers.

[dana.org]

[blueknot.org.au]

I can relate. Childhood was hell. At age 12, I made a promise that IF I survived to adulthood I would never have children. I even promised that I would not become sexually active until I had the right to control my fertility. I even promised that if I got pregnant and could not get an abortion, I would kill myself. If I could turn the clock back and get born dead, I would do it. But I am here and I am trying to do useful things with my life. I cope the best I can. But to completely overcome all that abuse - no. I am still doing the work of healing. I look forward to the day when people quit saying "Just get over it." I look forward to the day when people say "It is good that you are doing the best you can with the abilities you have."

I think it is fine to admit that we got badly hurt. It is only human to go through a lot of pain because of abuse. What is not okay is to abuse others. I have met bullies who I know for a fact come from awful backgrounds, and other bullies I strongly suspect come from sick families. It does not excuse taking out one's anger on others. That just keeps the cycle in motion.

@SKH78 I am so sorry to hear you can relate to severe childhood trauma and the lifelong work to function on a basic level. The comment I hate most is "There is always someone that as it worse than you do." as though that is supposed to make me feel better? I am a smart ass though so I come back with "And they haven't offed themselves yet?" People sure say dumb shit don't they?