Emotional Abuse is a real-life phenomenon and problem most people fail or refuse to acknowledge. Emotional abuse isn’t gender-based or limited to a specific age group or sect. This means that anyone can be emotionally abused. There may be no outward indication of abuse, but that does not imply it is not an issue or that it is not illegal in at least some nations. Damage to relationships and the well-being of all parties involved is a common result of emotional abuse.
What is Emotional Abuse?
Also known as psychological abuse, emotional abuse can be referred to as any act, such as imprisonment, isolation, verbal attack, humiliation, intimidation, infantilization, or any other behavior that has the potential to impair a person’s sense of identity, dignity, and self-worth. Most people take physical abuse as the only type of abuse there is.
At one point in time, every human has faced emotional abuse, and many times, these acts of abuse are not always visible or easily identifiable but their effects are normally long-lasting on the victims. Most people don’t even know they have or are being abused.
Types of Emotional Abuse
There are many signs of emotional abuse, and these symptoms vary from person to person based on the different experiences each person has had. Here are some types of emotional abuse;
- Aggressive speech / Verbal Abuse
- Intimidation
- Neglect
- Silent treatment
- Isolation
- Gaslighting
- Withholding attention/ Affection
Effects of Emotional Abuse
A person’s entire identity can be shattered by severe and prolonged emotional abuse. The constant barrage of accusations, verbal abuse, name-calling, criticisms, and gaslighting can eventually cause a person to lose all sense of self-awareness.
It’s natural to start agreeing with the abuser and judging yourself harshly as a result. When this happens, you start to believe that no one will ever love you or value you the way the abusive partner does. Because you start to believe that no one likes you, you may withdraw from friends and eventually isolate yourself.
Severe and persistent emotional abuse can cause someone to lose all sense of who they are. The constant barrage of accusations, verbal abuse, name-calling, criticisms, and gaslighting can eventually cause a person to lose all sense of self-awareness.
You may start to feel bad about yourself, which may lead you to agree with the abuser. When this happens, you start to believe that no one will ever love you or value you the way the abusive partner does.
You may eventually withdraw from connections and isolate yourself because you’re persuaded that nobody likes you.
Additionally, there are a variety of health issues that can be brought on by emotional abuse. Abuse can lead to mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, and even eating disorders. Physical symptoms like stomach ulcers, heart palpitations, and insomnia have been linked to emotional abuse.
How to heal from Emotional abuse
Accept that you’ve been abused
If you’re in an emotionally abusive relationship, the first step is to recognize the abuse. First and foremost, you should recognize that you have a problem if you can identify any form of emotional abuse in your relationship.
Value Yourself
You should put yourself first when it comes to taking care of both your mental and physical health. Put an end to your preoccupation with trying to please the person who is abusing you. Attend to your own requirements first. Take part in activities that will encourage you to think positively and that will help you affirm who you are.
Don’t blame yourself
If you’ve been with an emotionally abusive partner for a while, you might be starting to think there’s something seriously wrong with you. But you’re not the problem at hand. Abuse is always a deliberate decision. Stop beating yourself up about things that are out of your hands.
Socialize and Make new friends
Despite the fact that it may be difficult, it is important to speak up if you are experiencing emotional abuse. You should share your feelings with someone you trust, such as a close friend, family member, or counselor. Spend as much time as possible with people who love and support you, and as little time as possible with the abusive individual.
You’ll feel less lonely and alone with this supportive group of pals and confidantes. They are able to provide you with insight and truth by speaking into your life.
Seek Therapy or Counselling
Psychotherapy can help you gain perspective on an emotionally abusive relationship and equip you with the skills to leave an abusive partner behind for good. Help for victims of emotional abuse can also be found through a wide range of humanitarian organizations, the Women Reform Organization is one of those that organizations help out victims of abuse.
Conclusion
It takes time to recover from the effects of emotional abuse. Help can come from taking care of oneself, reaching out to loved ones who are supportive, and having a conversation with a therapist.
Very Insightful 🙂