Psychological Abuse...5 Signs You Need To Recognize

It is no secret that many people think that our society has too many “weak” people. Perhaps they are right, but that is a deep dive is for another blog. What I do know is that people often try to justify their nasty behavior by calling the other person weak.

Not that what was done or said was cruel or hurtful, but if you weren’t such a big baby I could mistreat or insult you without consequences.

I agree that it seems people are offended by everything these day. But sometimes individuals can be downright cruel or abusive, and do not want to own their crap so they gaslight. It’s you, not me. You made say those horrible things to you.

You made me betray you and treat you poorly. They take zero ownership of their own bad behavior.

Psychological abuse is basically emotional abuse. Psychological abuse is a form of abuse, characterized by a person subjecting or exposing another person to behavior that may result in psychological trauma, including anxiety, chronic depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder.

Psychological and emotional abuse can happen in just about any relationship, but it most often occurs in our closest relationships with those we trust and should be safe with.

5 Signs Of Psychological Abuse

Shaming

An emotional abuser will make you feel ashamed of your body, your looks, your intelligence, and even your parenting skills. They put you down and shame to make you work harder to please them.

Like a narcissist, the psychological abuser enjoys making you jump through hoops to try and please them, only to make you feel like a failure when you do not live up to their unrealistic demands.

Blaming

Emotional abusers are great at blame shifting. They will blame their abusive behavior on work stresses, alcohol, and especially you. They will not take responsibility for their actions.

The psychological abuser is also a notorious gaslighter, and will somehow turn every bad decision they make into being your fault.

Controlling

Emotional abusers are controlling. They want to make all the decision, and control all the money, and to control the relationship. The more control they have in the relationship, then the more power they have over you.

The psychological abuser will make you question your ability to make decisions on your own. They convince you that you need them and that without them you would be a complete failure. They “remind” you that you cannot make it on your own.

Isolating

Isolation is a common tactic for an emotional abuser. By limiting contact with people outside the relationship, the abuser is able to make their partner more mentally and emotionally dependent on them. They don’t like your family and friends and convince you that they are bad for your relationship.

Mood Swings

Emotional abusers moods are unpredictable. One moment they are happy and light hearted and the next they are sullen and angry. You have to walk on eggshells with this person because you never know when their mood will turn.

You will find the relationship both mentally and physically draining, but you do not want to give up. You so desperately want the Prince Charming you fell in love with to return. The problem is that he was never Prince Charming. It was just an act to win you over.

Psychological abuse is just as damaging as physical abuse, the only difference is that it leaves invisible scars. No relationship, and no one, man or woman is worth tolerating any type of abuse.

Since psychological abuse is often invisible to others, victims often feel alone, and convince themselves that because they are not being physically hurt that it is not that bad.

Victims of abuse are not alone, and there are many people and organizations available to help. If you or someone you know is the victim of physical, sexual, or psychological abuse please contact Live Your Dream or RAINN for help.

What are your thoughts on psychological abuse? Do you agree with the signs? Please share your thoughts or experience!

“If you alter your behavior because you are frightened of how your partner will react, you are being abused.” ― Sandra Horley

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5 Signs You're In An Emotionally Abusive Relationship

Unfortunately, sometimes people find themselves in emotionally abusive relationships, without even realizing it. Unlike physical abuse, the scars from emotional abuse are invisible, but just as damaging.

Emotional abuse can destroy the person that you once were, and leave behind an empty shell.

Sadly, many people stay in emotionally abusive relationships because they make excuses for the behavior of their partners, often blaming themselves. All signs of emotional abuse are not cut and dry. Relationships have ups and down, and people have fights and disagreements, but it is how you fight and disagree that can be abusive.

Signs Of Emotional Abuse

Talked To Disrespectfully

In an emotionally abusive relationship there is a lack of respect. You may be told to shut up, yelled at, or completely dismissed as you try to communicate your feelings or concerns. Sometimes the verbal abuse happens in front of others, but many times while you are alone. Emotional abusers are good at hiding their abusive side.

Blamed For Everything

Your partner is mean and disrespectful to you, but guess what, it’s your own fault. If you were not so overly sensitive, or whiny, or demanding, then they wouldn’t lose their temper and have to be mean to you.

They make you feel like everything is your fault, including their poor choices and mistakes. You often fear their anger here.

Gaslighting

Gaslighting is a form of abuse, as it diminishes your self-esteem, your self-confidence, and your self-worth. The gaslighter convinces you that it's all in your head and you are just being paranoid or remembering incorrectly.

Your partner makes you feel completely faulty. As if you have the worst memory ever, and are going completely crazy. It’s not them, it’s you.

Made To Feel Stupid

An emotionally abusive partner loves to belittle and make you feel less than. Your partner will humiliate and embarrass you in front of others with blatant disrespect, or making you the butt of a joke. They are even worse in private.

If you dare to challenge or question their judgement, they are quick to remind you how mentally superior they are to you. They do not value you or your opinion.

Controlling

An emotionally abusive partner tends to also be controlling. They want to know where you are at, where you are going, and who are you with. They want to tell you how to dress, how to act, and what to do. You are punished with silence or withdrawals of affection if you do not do things their way.

An emotionally abusive relationship can leave you feeling depressed, alone, and questioning your self worth. It is important to remember that you are not worthless, you do not need to stay in an abusive situation, and that you will be loved again, the right way.

What are your thoughts on emotional abuse? There are many signs to look for, which would you add? Please share your experience!

“Sometimes we refuse to see how bad something is until it completely destroys us.” - Unknown

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