What's the worst thing someone has done to you?
The question of the worst things people have experienced at the hands of others is a poignant and varied one, as evidenced by several sources:
Severe Emotional and Physical Abuse
Many individuals have shared experiences of severe emotional and physical abuse. For example, one person described a childhood marked by physical abuse from their father, who used belts, hangers, and brushes to beat them and their sister repeatedly. This led to long-term psychological trauma, including PTSD and a fear response to sudden loud noises or smiles4.
Manipulation and Gaslighting
Some people have endured manipulative and gaslighting behavior in relationships. A man shared his experience with an ex-partner who cheated on him multiple times, tried to manipulate his son into calling other men "father," and engaged in drug addiction, leading to significant emotional and legal battles2.
Betrayal and Infidelity
Betrayal and infidelity have also been cited as deeply hurtful experiences. For instance, a person recounted how their partner cheated on them and then tried to justify the infidelity by claiming it was for a trivial reason, such as a $20 dab cartridge. This betrayal was compounded by the partner sleeping with the person's best friend in their own home2.
Financial and Legal Exploitation
Financial exploitation is another form of severe harm. A person described how their stepdad stole significant assets, including houses and cars, after their mother's death and committed perjury. Another individual mentioned being forced to pay child support for a child that did not exist, due to their mother-in-law's elaborate deception4.
Public Embarrassment and Humiliation
Public embarrassment and humiliation can also be deeply painful. Examples include experiencing public mishaps like spilling coffee on a new shirt, having the back of one's dress tucked into underwear in public, or tripping and falling on the dance floor in front of others1.
Loss and Neglect
Experiences of loss and neglect are also profoundly impactful. A person shared how they were locked out by their mother on Christmas Eve and had to sleep in a car park, highlighting the emotional neglect and manipulation they suffered from both parents4.
These accounts underscore the wide range of harmful experiences people can face, each with its own unique impact on their well-being and life trajectory.