Recognizing Emotional Maltreatment in Intimate Relationships: Indicators of Emotional Abuse
In relationships, emotional abuse can be a subtle yet damaging force that often goes unnoticed. This form of abuse involves controlling, humiliating, and manipulative behaviours by a partner that are intended to scare, hurt, or diminish the other person.
According to experts, signs of emotional abuse include embarrassing or humiliating a partner in public, displaying anger that scares them, making controlling decisions, expressing extreme jealousy, putting down and insulting, isolating, demanding access to personal information, blaming others for actions, pretending not to understand, behaving as if their needs are more important, and dangerous behaviours to scare.
One of the reasons people may stay in emotionally abusive relationships is because they are high in empathy and want to help the abuser change. However, it's important to remember that it's never the victim's responsibility to change or fix the abuser.
Another factor that contributes to emotional abuse is unresolved trauma. Many abusers may have anger issues that they don't know how to display in appropriate ways, and their source of anger often stems from a traumatic life event.
Victims of emotional abuse may start to agree with the abuser, feel trapped, and suffer consequences even after leaving the relationship. They may also lose their sense of self-identity, develop low self-esteem, and experience mental health problems such as depression and anxiety.
If you are in an emotionally abusive relationship, it's crucial to set boundaries, take care of your own needs, and have an exit plan. You can also seek help from support networks, helplines, and charities such as the National Domestic Violence Hotline, Women's Aid, the Men's Advice Line, and the National LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline.
It's also important to note that emotional abuse can occur in various relationships, including friendships, families, and the workplace. If you suspect that you are being emotionally abused, it's important to seek help and support to protect your emotional well-being.
References:
* Fader, S. (2022, April 19). What Is Emotional Abuse? Spotting The Signs. Better Help. * Hammon, C. (2017, March 22). 13 Reasons Why People Abuse. PsychCentral. * Karakurt, G., & Silver, K. E. (2013). Emotional abuse in intimate relationships: The role of gender and age. Violence and Victims, 28(5), 804-821. * Stark, S. (2015). Psychology and Behavioral Health. (4th ed.). Salem Press at Greyhouse Publishing. * Tracy, N. (2021, December 30). Emotional Abuse: Definitions, Signs, Symptoms, Examples. Healthy Place. * World Health Organization. (2012). Understanding and Addressing Violence Against Women.
- Emotional abuse in relationships can involve controlling, humiliating, and manipulative behaviors, as explained by experts.
- Signs of emotional abuse may include embarrassing or humiliating a partner, displaying anger that scares them, making controlling decisions, expressing extreme jealousy, putting down and insulting, isolating, demanding access to personal information, blaming others for actions, pretending not to understand, behaving as if their needs are more important, and dangerous behaviors to scare.
- People may stay in emotionally abusive relationships because they are high in empathy and want to help the abuser change.
- Unresolved trauma can contribute to emotional abuse, as many abusers may have anger issues and their source of anger often stems from a traumatic life event.
- Victims of emotional abuse may start to agree with the abuser, feel trapped, and suffer consequences even after leaving the relationship.
- They may also lose their sense of self-identity, develop low self-esteem, and experience mental health problems such as depression and anxiety.
- If you are in an emotionally abusive relationship, setting boundaries, taking care of your own needs, and having an exit plan is crucial.
- Seeking help from support networks, helplines, and charities such as the National Domestic Violence Hotline, Women's Aid, the Men's Advice Line, and the National LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline can also be beneficial.
- Emotional abuse can occur in various relationships, including friendships, families, and the workplace.
- If you suspect that you are being emotionally abused, it's important to seek help and support to protect your emotional well-being.
- Self-care, such as prioritizing your mental health and seeking professional treatment, is essential for recovering from emotional abuse.
- Understanding and addressing emotional abuse requires knowledge of psychology, mental health, and science, as well as practicing health-and-wellness and adopting a mentally-healthy lifestyle.
