                                                                  Emotional Abuse is Still Abuse
Abuse in relationships can occur in many forms. Unlike physical abuse that is riddled with obvious physical signs, such as hitting and shoving, emotional abuse is characterized by controlling and manipulative behaviour that can be confusing and oftentimes difficult to recognize.
But this kind of psychological abuse, even when delivered subtly, is toxic to relationships, and in many cases, is a forerunner to more extreme offenses.
For many victims of emotional abuse (mostly women, but some men, as well), the insolent behaviour seems to gradually sneak into the relationship over time. As the relationship deepens, the abuser attempts to persuade or control their partner’s perception of reality or their stance on what is acceptable or not acceptable.
It begins to steadily chip away at the victim’s self-esteem and feelings of self-worth, leaving feelings of doubt and helplessness in its wake.
It is important to identify the warning signs of mental abuse in order to prevent it from escalating to a more extreme or dangerous situation. Accepting that the abuse is not your fault is the first step to recognizing that you may be a victim of mental or emotional abuse. Browse through the list below to learn seven signals to be aware of.
Browse through the list below to learn seven signals to be aware of.
- Frequent Calls
Many abusers make frequent calls to their partners in an attempt to confirm their location at all times. If your partner wants to know your whereabouts 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, consider this a strong indication that you are being controlled.
- Avoid’s Social Interactions
Some abusers will distance their partner from social situations where other men or women will be present, for fear that their partner will cheat or leave them for another person. The victim may be aware of the fact that they’re being separated from the herd, but sometimes the abuser is able to convince the victim that avoiding these social situations is actually their (the victim’s) idea.
The victim may be aware of the fact that they’re being separated from the herd, but sometimes the abuser is able to convince the victim that avoiding these social situations is actually their (the victim’s) idea.
- Your Time is Their Time
Many abusers insist that they and their partner spend all their free time together. The victim’s hobbies, friends, and even family may be pushed to the back burner in order to accommodate the abuser’s wishes, a behaviour that further isolates the victim from others and strips away their self-esteem.
- Degrading or Humiliating Treatment
One way abusers attempt to control their partners is by purposely causing embarrassment or humiliation. This behaviour includes belittling, hypercriticism, and persistent put-downs, and may occur around others or behind the privacy of closed doors.
It helps the abuser to gain more control over their partner by making them feel unworthy, and therefore, more reliant upon the abuser.
- Overly Jealous Behaviour
Unreasonable jealousy, such as getting angry when their wife speaks to another man or threatening violence to keep men away, is a common sign of emotional abuse. Many victims attempt to justify their partner’s behaviour by seeing jealousy as a sign of love and commitment, instead of the form of power and emotional control that it truly is.
Many victims attempt to justify their partner’s behaviour by seeing jealousy as a sign of love and commitment, instead of the form of power and emotional control that it truly is.
- Withholding Affection
Conditional love is not true love, but many abusers attempt to control their partners by withholding affection as a way of getting what they want. These individuals act lovingly and graciously while things are going their way, but turn cold and distant the moment their partner shows an interest in something or someone else. A Determination to regain that affection is one of the factors that drive many victims to remain in mentally abusive relationships.
A Determination to regain that affection is one of the factors that drive many victims to remain in mentally abusive relationships.
- Using Other Women (or Men) to Make their Partner Jealous
While the toxic member of the relationship may forbid their partner from socializing with members of the opposite sex, they themselves sometimes use others to incite jealousy in their spouse.
They enjoy watching the inner turmoil this inflicts on the victim and the lengths at which some victims will go to in order to hold their abusive partner’s attention and affection.
If you feel that you are trapped in an abusive relationship then maybe it’s time to talk to your partner and explain to them how their behaviour is deeply affecting you, get counselling if that doesn’t work and finally if your partner’s behaviour does not change, then maybe it is high time that you got out of the relationship before it does too much emotional damage.