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Emotional abuse can be just as psychologically damaging as physical abuse, but it is also in some ways easier to explain and justify. People who are emotionally abused tend to downplay their victimization by comparing themselves to people who are physically abused. But abuse is detrimental, whether it is emotional, physical, or mental.
Are you accepting treatment that you shouldn’t? Are you being emotionally abused? Here are some indicators:
Lack of reciprocity. You feel as if you are always giving and they are always taking. You don’t give just because you want to make them feel good, you give to avoid having them make you feel bad.
Everything is made to be your fault. He or she is always looking for a way to put the blame on you.
Your self-esteem is being ripped to pieces. A way of maintaining the power dynamic is to make you second guess yourself and put all your faith and trust into the abuser.
Your abuser has isolated you. Again, that maintains the power dynamic in their favor. This might also increase your financial dependence, another way of controlling you. Or maybe you don’t want to approach others because you are ashamed to say what is going on in your relationship.
You’re minimizing the occurrences, and the ways they make you feel. You make excuses, and you make it your fault when your partner says something demeaning or does something controlling. You say that the abuser is right, you do need to correct those things. Because if you did, then he/she wouldn’t have anything to complain about.
Emotional abuse breaks you down, shames, isolates, and confuses you. It’s time to call it what it is and let other people know what’s happening. Then you can start to figure out what the right next step is for you–if it’s seeing a therapist, confronting your partner, or making plans to leave the relationship.
Call to schedule an appointment with a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and begin living the life that you deserve! (813)244-1251 www.starpointcounselingtampa.com
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