Hi and welcome to the Sabby Psychologist podcast I'm your host Dr Ellen

Hendrickson and I'll help you meet life's challenges with evidence-based

research a sympathetic ear and zero judgment.

In today's episode, we'll tackle a challenging issue.

Listener Yvonne from Dublin wrote in and asked if it's possible to help individuals who get into one

abusive situation after another.

Yvonne wants to help a friend, but is getting frustrated.

Her friend defends the very people who hurt and manipulate her and protects

those who take her money and belongings.

Yvonne notes that her friend suffered abuse as a child and again in a marriage.

She wonders if there's a connection, but mostly she wonders,

how can I get through to her? How can I help? And if I can't, how can I cope without being dragged into

her choices.

Therefore, this week we'll examine some common challenges

that abuse survivors face, how to help,

and how to set some boundaries to protect yourself. First off, it's important to say that there is as much diversity among people who have been abused as among people who have not.

Many individuals who were abused grow up to be highly functional adults and model parents.

But through no fault of their own, others aren't so lucky.

They face an uphill battle, like these four common challenges faced by survivors of abuse.

Challenge number one, a sense of worthlessness.

It's frustrating for outsiders to see someone they care about get treated like a doormat.

But many individuals in abusive situations have been taught that if they're being treated like

...