5 Signs of Emotional Abuse
Most people have an understanding of the signs of physical abuse, but the same isn’t always true for emotional abuse. Missing them can be easier since emotional abuse is more challenging to identify and comes in several forms.
Emotional abuse involves the abuser using power over you to intimidate and exclude you mentally using actions and words. Many can remember the words a bully from school said to us, even if it was a long time ago. It feels even worse when those things come from a partner, parent, other loved one, or coworker.
While emotional abuse comes in many types, there are five that are important to be aware of. We’ll give more information about each below.
Love Bombing
Whether you have heard the term love bombing or not, you’ve surely seen it in real life or on television. So what is love bombing? It involves a partner who gives you positive behavior, sweet words, and affection to the point where you trust them, and they can manipulate you in the future.
However, love bombing only lasts so long. At some point, the abuser will remove affection and make you feel bad. This can occur in romantic relationships and with colleagues, family members, and friends.
Continuous Criticism
Everyone makes mistakes, but continuous criticism can make you feel you do nothing right. The abuser is happy to latch onto anything about you to make you feel self-conscious. Criticism of this kind is emotional abuse. You’re taught that you aren’t good enough and don’t deserve them.
Controlling and Possessive Behavior
Being cared for is nice. A phone call to make sure you made it home okay is harmless. Making several calls and leaving angry voicemails when you’re out with friends is not. There is a line between care and control. Condescending or patronizing language may also be used, or you may feel you can’t do things without getting permission.
Swearing, Insults, and Aggression
If an abuser realizes they can control you, they might start to use rage on you. This could be a manager at your job who starts to verbally abuse you because they are having a bad day. It also might be a partner who says and does terrible things to you. In addition, some abusers use physical aggressiveness, like punching a wall or throwing a phone, to show their anger.
Gaslighting
When someone often denies or distorts the truth, it can make you doubt your own perceptions and reality. This can make you second-guess yourself and question whether your memories are accurate. After all, you’re being told that it isn’t true. This is what is known as gaslighting.
This might manifest as someone saying they didn’t do something you know they did. Or it might include comments that question whether what you say happened really did. It can get under your skin and make you question yourself.
Steps to Take
If you experience one or more of the signs of emotional abuse above, seeking help could be the right tactic to take. Those who notice these signs in others can offer assistance to those experiencing abuse. While emotional abuse is harder to see than physical abuse, knowing the signs is a large part of the battle.