We can create healthier inner landscapes
All of our emotions serve a purpose. Being disgusted by the look, taste, smell, and other features of physical objects such as rotten food and open sores serves as a warning — these things might be harmful to ingest or touch. In this way, disgust keeps us safe from pathogens and disease — and even potentially harmful people.
“My mother was horrible to me. When I remember the look on her face when she spewed her dripping sarcasm, her vicious insults, I feel like I want to throw up,” says Dina.
Naturally, abuse generates feelings of disgust. We want to expel the emotional toxin from our system. Doing so is a vital step in restoring our sense of goodness and lovability. It’s an essential part of the therapeutic process for victims of childhood abuse.
But how does the behavior of another person become woven into our inner fabric? How does remembering or experiencing revolting treatment make us sick?
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