WHAT EMOTIONAL ABSUE LOOKS LIKE?

When it comes to any kind of abuse, you may often think about physical or sexual abuse or even domestic violence. But emotional abuse or psychological abuse is a type of abuse that may involve attempts to control, frighten or control you. In this kind of abuse, the victim goes through anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder because of the abuser. Because this abuse is emotional rather than physical in nature.  The abuser may make false accusations, and false convictions and may try extreme defamation against the victim.

Emotional abuse may involve blaming, shaming, and name-calling that affects the victim emotionally. The victim’s self-confidence and mental-emotional well-being are diminished due to this verbal abuse. Because emotionally abusive traits may mostly include causing anxiety and fear to the victim by threatening, intimidating, or trying to cause harm. Some abusive behaviors may also include insults, putting down, gaslighting, etc. Also advancement in today’s technology has led to a new form of emotional abuse through text messaging and cyber-bullying.

HOW DO YOU RECOGNIZE SIGNS OF EMOTIONAL ABUSE?

HUMILIATION

• Calling nicknames
• Yelling and patronizing
• Public embarrassment
• Sarcasm
• Belittling your achievements
• Pushing your buttons

CONTROLLING AND SHAMING

• Making threats
• Monitoring and showing up where you are
• Also spying on social media and insisting you for passwords
• Making all your decisions.
• Emotional blackmail
• Constant lecturing
• Stonewalling you
• Love bombing
• Triangulation
• Devaluation
• Projection
• Guilt-tripping
• Making unreasonable demands of you
• Setting unrealistic expectations and criticizing you by saying that you are not “GOOD ENOUGH”

ACCUSE, BLAME, AND DENIAL

• Jealousy
• Using guilt
• Goading and blaming
• Denying that they are abusive
• Trivializing
• Playing blame games
• Especially accusing you of being too emotional, too sensitive and calling you crazy
• Constant opposing and arguing
• Getting angry when you have your own opinion

EMOTIONAL NEGLECT AND ISOLATION

• Dehumanizing
• Keeping you away from socializing
• Invalidating your feelings
• Creating distance between you and your family
• Silent treatment
• Playing the victim card
• Turning people against you
• Denying support

HERE’S WHAT YOU SHOULD DO…

• Do not try to fix such a person and walk away
• Avoid blaming yourself and taking the blame
• Prioritize yourself and your needs
• Set boundaries especially emotionally
• Love yourself and find peace within yourself!