Abuse can leave many different types of wounds. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, some of the possible effects of teen dating abuse include:

• Increased difficulty in school
• Higher risk of developing an eating disorder or depression
• Increased use of alcohol and other drugs to cope
• Higher likelihood of having an abusive partner in the future

Those can sound like pretty big, scary things, but it doesn’t mean that if you’ve experienced abuse that you’re doomed. Not everyone experiences those effects and a lot can depend on what kind of support you have in your life and whether you’re able to seek out help.

If you are experiencing abuse in your relationship or you’re worried that it’s just not healthy, there’s help available. One place you can start with is the National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline, which can be reached 24/7 at 1-866-331-9474 (TTY: 1-866-331-8453).