The Impact of Domestic Violence on Missy Elliott's Childhood

  Missy Elliott is one of the world's best-known rappers. She has been active in the music industry for over twenty years and produced many hit albums along the way. She grew up in Portsmouth, Virginia with parents who taught her independence and determination - her mother being a dispatcher and her father being in the United States Marines. From them she learned to be self-reliant. 1. Physical abuse Physical abuse refers to any misuse of force against another individual without their permission, usually as a way of controlling them or exerting power over them. Physical abuse often causes severe and lasting physical injuries to the victims and has various psychological, social and economic repercussions. Physical abuse often goes undetected and unreported because victims feel ashamed or guilty about what happened to them, particularly if it involves sexual misconduct; often these victims try to conceal that they have been hurt or molested by their partners. Abuse can affect anyone, regardless of gender, race or sexual orientation and can have lasting psychological ramifications - from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), eating disorders, addiction and emotional problems to more long-term psychological issues like PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). Neglect can have a lasting impact on a child's self-esteem and ability to form close relationships, possibly altering life and career opportunities as well as making it challenging to develop meaningful bonds with one's own children. If you suspect a child of being physically abused, seek immediate assistance by reaching out to 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or through online chat. Physical abuse of children can have devastating repercussions for their development. This may include issues in schooling and their ability to focus, poor self-esteem, anxiety depression and other mental health conditions. As physical abuse can often go undetected, it may be hard to notice its symptoms. There are certain indicators that could signal physical abuse such as frequent injuries that don't heal correctly or appear linked to something they are doing; this could be a telltale sign. Other indicators of abuse may include cigarette burns or skin irritations from nicotine use, broken bones are another telling sign - particularly among infants or small children. Physical abuse of children puts them at a much greater risk for psychological and physical health problems, including depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), sexual abuse, drugs use, anxiety and phobias, as well as difficulty managing their emotions. 2. Sexual abuse Sexual abuse refers to any act committed without consent and which involves unwanted sexual touching, forced oral sex or even rape. Sexual abuse has physical, emotional and even mental consequences so if someone you know has been subjected to sexual violence it is vitally important they seek help immediately. Some survivors can overcome the trauma of sexual abuse with therapy and support from friends and family; others must work through it on their own. After being exposed to sexual assault, survivors may feel angry, scared, sad and have difficulties sleeping, concentrating and remembering details from what occurred. Luckily there are numerous therapies available that can assist victims and survivors recover from abuse. Trauma therapies like Cognitive Processing Therapy, Prolonged Exposure Therapy and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy may be especially useful to survivors of sexual violence. Art therapy may also offer them valuable therapy outlets. Sexual abuse survivors often struggle with feelings of guilt, anger, shame, and fear, often finding it difficult to express these emotions or feeling safe within themselves. Over time these emotions can become part of their identity. Feelings such as these can interfere with their daily lives and lead to poor relationships or a decreased interest in social activities, while they could even affect career or educational choices. Other signs of sexual abuse may include changes in behavior, such as avoiding intimacy, disguising body parts or acting out physically. Sexual abuse can also lead to depression and anxiety. Women are at higher risk for sexual abuse than men and more likely to develop psychiatric disorders in adulthood. Fear or retaliation may make discussing abuse difficult, yet it's crucial for victims to come forward so they can receive support. At the end of the day, it is important to remember that your abuser was not acting with your permission and will only change their ways if allowed to do so. 3. Drug abuse Drug abuse is an issue that affects people of all ages, whether through addiction or mental illness. Anyone experiencing issues related to drug use should seek help immediately - no matter where it stems from. Missy Elliott endured physical and sexual abuse throughout her childhood. At 8 years old, a cousin molested her while Ronnie dislocated both shoulders in one violent encounter. Though her career as a rapper wasn't directly affected, the abuse had an adverse effect on both her mental health and self-esteem. Later she would develop an eating disorder and was ultimately forced into rehabilitation. As she experienced abuse first-hand with her family, it was very upsetting. When she turned fourteen she fled with her mother for safety. She eventually was able to overcome both abuse and her family's financial strain and flourish into an accomplished rapper, singer-songwriter. Elliott began singing as part of Fayze at age 15, employing Tim Mosley (Timbaland) from her neighborhood as the group's producer. They impressed Jodeci's DeVante Swing who then signed them to his Swing Mob label and gave them their debut single, "Supa Dupa Fly." Elliott leveraged her success with other artists. She co-wrote and produced songs for American R&B singer Aaliyah as well as Jodeci, later working with SWV. In the late 1990s, she quickly rose to become the best-selling female hip-hop artist of all time with albums like Supa Dupa Fly and Da Real World each selling over 10 million copies each. She challenged hip-hop's boundaries through her songs and videos, covering topics of feminism, body positivity, and sexual empowerment. Additionally, she pioneered new innovations in music video production. She has inspired generations of artists with iconic hits like "Work It," "Lose Control" and "Get Ur Freak On." Missy Elliott shares her journey in overcoming an extremely traumatic childhood through Behind The Music interviews. She details its effects, why she decided to leave music industry, and the significance of health communication. 4. Mental illness Evidence exists demonstrating how domestic violence exposure can contribute to mental health issues in children. Such trauma may trigger various psychological conditions including anxiety, fear, anger, guilt, PTSD depression and substance abuse. Mental illnesses are disorders characterized by specific sets of symptoms which interfere with or reduce an individual's ability to function socially, at work or family life. There are various kinds of mental illnesses; most affect thinking, feeling and mood as well as external activities such as family life, marital affairs, sexual activity, work recreation management material affairs relationships emotionally Mental illnesses arise from various causes, including genetics, environment and trauma. Stressful employment or home life environments increase one's likelihood of mental illness while an acute event can exacerbate existing disorders. Mental illnesses have varying symptoms, but some of the most prevalent ones include depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders; other disorders may include obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety and phobias, as well as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Understand that although some psychiatric conditions can present serious obstacles in social and work environments, most individuals who experience mental illness do indeed recover fully from them. Recovering includes finding effective strategies for dealing with daily challenges and stresses as well as ways of creating positive results across all areas of life. McLean Hospital and National Alliance on Mental Illness have both done much to increase public understanding and de-stigmatize mental illness as a legitimate medical condition, yet more must be done so people feel comfortable talking openly about their mental health as well as any related concerns. Though many Americans understand mental illness, stigma and discrimination continue to exist in America. A CBS News poll, for instance, revealed that over 90% of respondents had an awareness of issues surrounding mental health as well as some knowledge regarding causes and treatment for mental illness - this trend bodes well as it shows people starting to realize mental illness is nothing to be ashamed about.