It is important to recognize different types of emotional abuse. The first is the overt type. Overt verbal abuse includes threats, criticism, lying, blaming, name-calling, and raging. The more subtle types of emotional abuse can be just as harmful and may result in distrust and doubt. These types of abuse may not be easily identified, but they can have serious consequences for both the victim and the abuser.
It's important to note that emotional abuse is very painful and can have very little boundaries. Because the abuser changes the victim's perception of reality and tells them lies, these messages are damaging to their self-image. Fortunately, there are steps that can be taken to heal from emotional abuse. Here are some of them:
The abuser will often try to blame the victim for everything, including their own behavior. The abuser will use their victim as a scapegoat, using their feelings of guilt to push them to do something. The abuser may also use fear and confusion to make the victim feel bad. Ultimately, emotional abusers don't want you to know how to respond to their behaviors. They want control of their lives.
Victims of emotional abuse often don't see the harmful dynamics clearly, and believe that they are the cause of their circumstances. These people often make the victim believe that they are the only person they care about, or that the difficulties in their relationship are their fault. They may spend a lot of time ruminating, bargaining, or avoiding confrontation, which can erode their self-esteem and cause depression and anxiety.
Victims of emotional abuse may feel that they need to apologize to their partner. They may also think that the abuse is their fault. In some cases, their abuser may also send mixed signals, keeping the victim on their toes and triggering insecurities about their partner's desire for them. Some abusers may even withhold essentials, which the victim might perceive as punishment for not fulfilling the needs of their partner.
Recognizing emotional abuse is critical for healing. While it is easy to ignore these abusers' behavior, recognizing the signs of emotional abuse can make the process much easier. Victims of emotional abuse should seek counseling to help them cope with their experiences and heal. The abuser will not hesitate to use various tactics to make a victim feel uncomfortable. Once you know what you are dealing with, you can move forward.
Another symptom of emotional abuse is control. Control is the primary tool of an abuser. By making the victim feel powerless, the abuser can more easily coerce the victim. Once a victim feels powerless, the abuser can control the key aspects of their life. A victim of emotional abuse is likely to withdraw from their relationships because they fear they will be unable to assert their independence. And when that powerlessness becomes physical, the abuser can use threats and intimidation to make the victim feel threatened and afraid.