Emotional abuse can be a tricky thing to identify. Because it is not as visible and apparent as physical abuse, people tend to think there’s much more of a ‘grey area’. People assume it is less harmful than physical abuse, but it leaves a mark on the mind.
A challenge for people who are being emotionally abused is it can creep up on them, be very subtle and grow over time so they may not even realise it initially. Abusive people may attempt to control the narrative of the behaviour, creating confusion as to whether the behaviour is harmful.
If you are unsure about whether or not you are being emotionally abused, here are some signs to watch out for.
1. You feel criticised or humiliated
This could be things like name-calling or making lots of unpleasant or sarcastic comments. There is a difference between jokes and insults. If your partner constantly criticises or humiliates you, chances are that they are emotionally abusing you.
2. You feel isolated from your family and friends
Abusers tend to place their own emotional needs ahead of yours. Many abusers will try to come between you and people who are supportive of you to make you more dependent on them.
3. Your partner limits or controls your access to money
Another form of abuse can be withholding money. They could also not be excluding you from finances or prevent you from getting a job. This could be a way of stopping you from feeling independent and that you’re able to make your own choices.
4. You feel trapped in your relationship
Feeling trapped is one of the key aspects of emotional abuse. An emotionally abusive partner works hard to create an illusion of powerlessness within you so you feel trapped and can’t leave them.
5. You are afraid of your partner
Emotional abusers use fear to keep you stuck in a relationship with them. This ties in with them creating the illusion of powerlessness. If you feel fear when you are around your partner or when you’re thinking about them, you are a victim of emotional abuse.
Anyone who makes jokes at your expense, mocks, isolates, traps and scares you definitely does NOT love you. Detach yourself from that person and start rehabilitating from that toxic relationship. You have to look out for yourself and put yourself first.
