This article was co-authored by Trudi Griffin, LPC, MS. Trudi Griffin is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Wisconsin specializing in Addictions and Mental Health. She provides therapy to people who struggle with addictions, mental health, and trauma in community health settings and private practice. She received her MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Marquette University in 2011. This article has been viewed 664,995 times.

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If your parents emotionally abuse you, understand that it isn't your fault, since abuse is never okay, no matter what you've done. Remind yourself that abuse is a reflection of the abuser, not you, and try to stay calm when your parents belittle or yell at you. Before responding, take a few deep breaths while slowly counting to 10 in your head. You may want to step out of the room for a moment to regain control of your emotions and collect your thoughts. When you're ready, talk to your parents calmly about how what they say affects you. For example, say something like, "I know you don't think I'm doing well in school, but I am working hard and there's no need to humiliate me." For more advice from our Mental Health co-author, including how to minimize the time you spend around your abusive parents, read on.