I think I have abused my little brother.

I've had a difficult time - mental illness, severe emotional abuse as a child, a few abusive relationships, and just an overall hard time adjusting as a young adult.

My brother is only twelve. He is the only person I have had for a long time to talk to. Now that I am more stable and rational, I realize that he has been extremely burdened both by my parents and myself. I have told him about things eons above his age without understanding how bad that is for him. He has had to put on a mature face but I know how damaging that is.

And my mother does the same thing, constantly talking about her terrible marriage and how my father may or may not be cheating on her. I've also been so disturbed growing up that I have been extremely mean to him and I realize that now.

Not only that, but he is the third child and my mother is so tired mothering that he often feels unloved, bored, lonely, and not cared for. She takes him to many hobby lessons but often guilt trips him and only does so with a grumpy attitude.

I guess it just breaks my heart to see that the abused has become the abuser and that my brother's innocence has been lost faster than it needed to be, partly because of me. It breaks my heart to see my little brother grow up in the house that I feel has seriously damaged me and my ability to function.

What should I do? Apologize to him?

Yes, and tell him you love him. You knew no better, you were abused yourself its not your fault.

Abused to abuser... I feel for you... it is very painful... I guess you should apologize to him...

I think it shows a lot of insight to be having the thoughts you are having and this is good. However please dont beat yourself up. You have been abused and this has in all likelihood had a significant impact on you and caused you to behave in the manner in which you did to your brother. All is not lost tho, apologise to him, change the way you are behaving as you have the insight to do that and work on rebuilding your relationship with him.

Cracked