[quote]*Sleeplessness, fears of going to sleep, nightmares, dreams of danger
*Headaches, stomachaches
*Anxiety about being hurt or killed
*Withdrawal from other people and activities
*Listlessness, depression, little energy for life
*Feelings of loneliness and isolation
*Talk of suicide or suicide attempts
*Frozen watchfulness or excessive fear around the abusive person.
*Acting perfect, overachieving, acting like perfect adults (!!!!)
*Worrying, difficulties in concentrating & paying attention
*Eating problems
*ulcers
*Posttaumatic stress Disorder [/quote]

A few extra:

* becoming the caretaker
*buffer between parent and other siblings, "taking one for the team"
*distrust/having no clue about relationships

I agree with the above about children that witness abuse of parents. Fathers and mothers towards each other, towards the kids.

In my instance the father was the abused.

Ah...and then comes in the preceding years the absence of one parent. I read something years ago in school that really hit a nerve with me about not just what a child experiences with an abusive parent, father OR mother, but also what kind of influences a parent makes. One of the things mentioned was something as simple as a father wrestling with their daughters. To, not be afraid to allow that kind of playing. It actually helps the daughters build self-confidence, independence, trust in males.

Anyways, off topic kind of, but thats how my brain works at times.

Good post