Jun 27, 2014

Emotional abuse is serious, but it isn't always as clear to spot as physical abuse. If you are being emotionally abused, you may have felt like something was "off" when the abuse started. If it has been going on for a while, though, it changes you into thinking that the emotional abuse isn't abuse, but instead truths about your life. Before you know it, you have no self-esteem or confidence to make decisions about your life and start to doubt that you know what is best for yourself. This only empowers the abuser and it becomes a vicious cycle.

There are some signs of emotional abuse that you can be on the lookout for to help protect yourself, and maybe loved ones, in relationships:

• Insults. Your spouse will find anything to insult from things that you do, make, or even wear. Anything is "fair game" to them.
• Stonewalling. They emotional disconnect from you most or all of the time. The silent treatment is one of the most used technique for this form of abuse.
• No respect. Your spouse doesn't respect you as a person who needs to be loved and who has needs. You exist only for them and they are the only thing that matters.
• You are the problem. When conflict arises and you want to solve it, the blame is put on you that you are too emotional, dramatic, or aggressive. Your spouse will blame you and then refuse to work out the problem (stonewalling).
• Belittling. Your spouse makes you feel like you are not capable of making a good decision. No matter what you decide, he or she will tell you that it is wrong and a bad decision. Soon, you feel like your spouse may be right and you can't decide for yourself.

These are just some of the signs of emotional abuse, not an exhaustive list. If you are being abused, or are the abuser, seek help because this type of behavior is not healthy for anyone involved.