How to know when your being Emotionally Abused

An individual can experience on form of abuse in a relationship, and it can happen to almost anyone. More so than ever the problem is often overlooked, excused or denied. The main types of abuse are:

Domestic Abuse
Physical Abuse
Sexual Abuse
Violent Abuse
Emotional Abuse

In this post I will be covering Emotional Abuse and the signs, types and problems an individual can experience when in this situation.

So what is Emotional Abuse?

Emotional Abuse usually involves a regular pattern of verbal offense, bullying, threatening, shaming, intimidation, constant criticism and manipulation. Emotional abuse is used to control the other person, and quite often it occurs because the abuser has childhood wounds and insecurities they haven’t dealt with – perhaps as a result of being abused themselves. Usually the individual didn’t learn healthy coping mechanisms or how to have positive, healthy relationships. Instead they feel angry, hurt, fearful and powerless.

Emotional abuse can feel equally as destructive and damaging as physical abuse and can do terrible amount of damage to a person’s mental health. It’s common for physically abusive relationships to also include aspects of emotional abuse as this is how power and control is maintained within the relationship. In some cases, neither the abuser nor the victim are fully aware its happening.

Some of the types of emotional abuse include:

Verbal – Insulting, yelling or searing at someone
Bullying – Purposely and repeatedly saying or doing hurtful things to someone
Money – Controlling someone’s money, withholding money, preventing someone from working, stealing or taking money
Put Downs – Name calling, public embarrassment, calling someone stupid, blaming them for everything
Rejection – Pretending not to notice someone’s presence, conversation or value
Being Afraid – Causing someone to feel afraid, intimidated or threatened.

The scars of emotional abuse are real and long lasting. Emotional abuse can leave a person feeling depressed, anxious and even suicidal, as well as having a negative impact on self-esteem and confidence.

It’s important to seek help during this time through family, friends or a medical practitioner. There are a number of services which can help if you need someone to talk to.

Amanda Ogden is from Sydney Australia, and has spent the past 13 years working within the welfare industry in both administration and case management assisting people with mental health issues, mild intellectual disabilities, acquired brain injuries, drug & alcohol, homelessness gain employment. She also loves travelling, creating jewellery, music, friends and family.