What should I do about this?

My dad has anger issues and my mom unintentionally made him pissed. He threatened to hit her. I'm scared to tell anyone because my parents don't realize that I heard them. I thought he was "only" verbally and emotionally abusive. Apparently he can be physically abusive too.

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SW-User

Unfortunately, there isn't much you can do. Talk to your mom about it, and if he ever does physically assault her, call the police. There are places that would help your mom. At the very least she needs to see a therapist. Abusers are very difficult to get away from, especially because they have drained all self-confidence from their victim. Good luck

fluteacorn · 22-25, F

@Laifu1: I'm scared to talk to her about it.

SW-User

@fluteacorn: it doesn't say your age. Are you under 18?

fluteacorn · 22-25, F

@Laifu1: I'm 16.

SW-User

@fluteacorn: My guess is that your mom has been intentionally hiding things from you and will deny it if you confront her. She most likely thinks she is protecting you. Do you have another trusted adult who might be able to intervene? Grandparents, aunt, etc...?

fluteacorn · 22-25, F

@Laifu1: No I don't.

SW-User

@fluteacorn: I'm sorry. Personally, I would tell her what I overheard and tell her that no one should ever be treated that way. Tell her that she has options, and it hurts you to see her treated like this.

fluteacorn · 22-25, F

@Laifu1: I can't be strong anymore. I used to try, for other people, but I can't. Otherwise, if I was strong and brave, I wouldn't have tried to kill myself on May 3rd.

SW-User

@fluteacorn: awww. pm me.

fluteacorn · 22-25, F

@Laifu1: It won't let me go to your profile so I can message you.

SW-User

@fluteacorn: it must have something to do with their new age thing. weird

fluteacorn · 22-25, F

@Laifu1: More like annoying.

SW-User

@fluteacorn: check your settings

fluteacorn · 22-25, F

@Laifu1: It isn't set so I can't talk to certain people.

SW-User

@fluteacorn: weird. neither is mine. anyway, I assume that your father is abusive to you too? emotional and verbal abuse can actually be worse than physical abuse

fluteacorn · 22-25, F

@Laifu1: Yes, he is. How can they be worse than physical abuse?

SW-User

@fluteacorn: everyone deals differently with abuse. Physical abuse often causes the victim to be extremely angry, which is actually better than the depression brought about by emotional abuse. Anger gives you a reason to keep going. Depression is when you take that anger that should be directed at your abuser and direct it at yourself. I was also abused, and I understand how awful it is. At least part of you ends up believing that you must deserve this or that some of the things they say about you must be true. You eventually become unable to fight back. And so you hurt yourself, because you can't hurt them. And they have made you believe that you deserve this and that things will never improve and that there is simply no point in trying to fight.

fluteacorn · 22-25, F

@Laifu1: It seems like there really is no reason to fight. The world would be better off if I was dead.

SW-User

@fluteacorn: no. it would not. I know that depression makes you feel that way. But it is a lie

SW-User

@fluteacorn: you need to be on medicine. You should be seeing a psychiatrist, at the very least. I understand depression. I have attempted suicide more than once. And I know that right now you can't imagine ever being happy. But it ISN'T TRUE.

fluteacorn · 22-25, F

@Laifu1: I'm seeing a psychiatrist next Wednesday.

SW-User

@fluteacorn: good. hopefully they can help some