What is Abuse?

There is no universally accepted definition of abuse.  I propose that,

The experience of abuse causes a feeling of having been seriously injured at a deep core level regardless of what did or did not occur physically as in sexual abuse, or physical abuse, or verbally, as in verbal or emotional abuse.

As you allow this definition to sink in, remember that a major premise is that it is absolutely possible to heal from this type of core injury.

Hair pulling can teach me so much about myself. It may have saved my life or kept me from losing my mind. I can now use it to understand exactly how I abuse myself and how to transform my entire life for the better.

In my Pull-Free, At Last! program, I offer this antidote.

Can you imagine being grateful for your hair pulling? Pulling your hair out helped your sensitive inner self to survive through situations that might otherwise have emotionally wiped you out or caused you to lose your sanity. You too can get to this place where you feel grateful for your hair pulling.

A “No” uttered from deepest conviction is better and greater than a “Yes” merely uttered to please, or what is worse, to avoid trouble.
-Mahatma Gandhi

One of the things that we learn when healing a compulsive behavior is to get really honest with ourselves and others. We learn to state the truth and to more effectively set boundaries. Why? Because to do less than this is to continue to abuse ourselves. There is no healing and freedom from compulsive behavior without standing up for ourselves!