Abuse of any kind can leave lasting damage, and emotional abuse is one of the most prevalent forms. Tens of millions of men and women in the United States have experienced emotional abuse through parents, an abusive relationship or authority figures.
One of the most effective means of preventing emotional abuse is to learn to identify the signs and symptoms in yourself as well as others. You can pinpoint manipulation and other controlling tactics that tie into your emotions and wear down your self-esteem. Read on to discover the signs and symptoms, similar conditions and the steps you can take to begin overcoming your trauma today.
What Is Emotional Abuse?
It’s easy to conflate emotional abuse with conflict, and knowing the difference can aid your mental health. While conflict is challenging, it’s a healthy method for two or more people to express their emotions and work through potential issues.
Signs of emotional abuse entail nonphysical behavior used to belittle someone else. Typical forms of emotional abuse include:
- Verbal threats
- Insults
- Put-downs
- Scare tactics
Here’s a more in-depth look at the signs and symptoms of emotional abuse to watch for in your life and relationships.
Invalidation
One of the first signs you may notice when experiencing emotional abuse in an abusive relationship is invalidation. Invalidation comes in many forms, the most common of which include dismissing your feelings and experiences, defining how you should feel and floating accusations of being too sensitive or emotional.
Chaos Creation
Another sign to watch for if you suspect someone in your life is emotionally abusive is chaos creation. Chaos creation can manifest with the abusive friend or partner through arguments that happen for the sake of arguing.
Drastic mood swings are another sign to keep an eye out for. The mood swings can put you in a position to manage the abusive individual’s emotions at the expense of your own.
Emotional Blackmail
Individuals in an abusive relationship may also have their emotions used against them. Often called a “guilt trip,” the ultimate goal is to leave you feeling guilty for feeling specific ways about your treatment and experiences, giving control to the abusive individual.
Other instances can include exaggerating your flaws to spur insecurity and degrade self-esteem and using your fears and values against you.
Control and Isolation
When you’re experiencing emotional abuse, it’s common for the abusive individual to attempt to keep you away from family and friends. These people may try to control who you spend time with and where you do so.
Digital monitoring is another sign to watch for if you fear being controlled. If your romantic partner begins accusing you of cheating or being jealous, you may be in the early stages of emotional abuse.
Emotional Abuse vs. Common Emotions
Separating emotional abuse from common emotions like sadness, stress, and anxiety is critical for an accurate diagnosis. Sadness is a temporary condition that a variety of factors can cause, but emotional abuse is more lasting.
Stress has similarities to emotional abuse, but it has different triggers and roots. Common sources include grief, divorce and unexpected financial issues. These unexpected incidents can leave trauma, but they’re not always the result of abuse from prominent people like parents, romantic partners or work colleagues.
Similar Conditions
Mental abuse is similar to emotional abuse and often starts as gaslighting, which causes the victim to question their reality.
Financial abuse is another similar condition, and it results when a partner has limited access to funds. The abuser keeps the victim in a position of financial dependence.
Coping Mechanisms in an Abusive Relationship
You can try several strategies to cope with an abusive partner or friend. Setting boundaries can position you for protection and success, but other ways exist to maintain or boost your emotional wellness. Let’s take a closer look at ways you can cope when attempting to manage or leave an abusive relationship.
Identify the Problem
The first step is often the most difficult, but you must identify the problem and acknowledge that you’re being abused by someone who supposedly cares about you. Many people dismiss the abuse by stating how the individual in question has always behaved. Learning what healthy relationships look like can help you learn about emotional abuse in relationships.
Leave the Situation
A safety plan is ideal when you decide to remove yourself from the relationship or situation. This plan can help you move, and it’s best to trust close friends, family and neighbors to aid you. You can also work with law enforcement and support groups in these situations.
Keep Receipts
Having evidence of the abuse can help you prove you’re a victim of emotional abuse, but it’s also vital when putting a halt to gaslighting behavior. Write down details of the abusive situations you face to have an accurate record of what occurred.
Take the Next Steps for Your Health
If you’re looking for options to manage or treat emotional abuse, you’ve found the right spot. Mental Health Hotline works with top-notch mental health care providers to help you find the necessary resources to begin your recovery. Don’t hesitate to contact us to speak with a compassionate and helpful mental health expert to start your growth journey today.
