Written by Online therapist Dr. Gloria Vanderhorst, Ph.D.

What Scourges, and Other Hidden Threats, Reveal About Our Past and Ourselves

What comes to mind for you when you hear the word “scourge”?

My latest thought is lanternflies. They appeared last summer in the backyard, and at first I was fascinated by their bright, intricate markings. But then I read about them. These pests are native to Vietnam, China, and India, where natural predators keep them in check. Here in Maryland and Washington, DC, not so much. A friend believes local birds will eventually eat them, reducing their population. I worry it won’t happen soon enough to save my young birch trees.

Scourges have existed since the beginning of time, and some modern ones cause real havoc. The kudzu vine now blankets highways, trees, buildings, and power lines. Ironically, power lines might be better buried underground than left exposed.

A scourge is, in fact, an instrument of pain—a whip with added thongs to cut and tear flesh. Used for punishment or even self‑mutilation, these whips are brutal. Right now, I wish I could use one on those flies.

The word “scourge” can describe both a person and an instrument. When someone causes great suffering or destruction, we call them a scourge. Attila the Hun, for example, devastated people and property. Any dictator can be a scourge to those who suffer under their rule.

The lanternflies in my backyard likely arrived hidden in some edible cargo, such as fruit. They hid in plain sight. Our personal enemies can be the same—sometimes hiding right before us.

The parent meant to protect us can be monstrous and cruel. Cruelty may be overt—hitting and whipping—or covert, such as deception, undermining, or cloying solicitation that lulls us into comfort before betrayal. These histories get buried deep in our memories. Yet, even boxed up and unrecognized, they can leap into the present and throw us off.

A clear sign of the past resurfacing is repeated behavior that troubles you or a significant family member. When a behavior causes stress for others, the past is intruding. You want to uncover its history and squish it like a bug.

For more reflections on emotional development and the impact of past experiences, explore articles on Psychology Today and research from Greater Good Science Center.

If you recognize patterns resurfacing in your own life, therapy can help you understand where they began—and how to change them. Learn more about individual therapy in Maryland and DC or explore therapeutic approaches that support emotional healing and healthier relationships.