Here’s 15 Devastating Signs Of Emotional Abuse Revealed Now
If you are not sure what the signs of emotional abuse are, then read this post carefully, as I will reveal them to you here in this post.
The reason is that, when you know the signs, you’ll be vigilant to avoid them in relationships. If your partner has started showing you some serious care and love lately and you are unsure why,?
Then you should be alert.
Could you tell me why I said that?
You see, those could be clear signs of emotional abuse.
Lisa Ferentz describes emotional abuse as subtle, which is unlike physical and sexual abuse that you quickly notice in a relationship.
This usually comes to the victim subtly, as if the partner is on a new level of care. The abuser pretends to be kind and more attentive until they gradually make the victim vulnerable by gaining their trust and confidence, and then they keep abusing the victim.
All these emotionally abusive behaviors are just the little tricks he or she employed to distract you from suspecting the reality of all his or her manipulations of you.
What is emotional abuse?
This is a form of control and manipulation that erodes a person’s mental well-being and self-worth. This can include humiliation, intimidation, and manipulation.
According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, it usually comes subtly, and it can be challenging to recognize. Statistics show that 48.8% of men and 48% of women in the US have suffered at least one form of this abuse from their intimate partner.
Another survey described this like this: “It is death by a thousand paper cuts.” A recent survey by the World Health Organization found that emotional abuse has affected millions of people all over the world, showing it’s passive nature.
Now that you know what emotional abuse in relationships means, let’s get ourselves acquainted with the signs of emotional abuse.
Here they are:
Signs of emotional abuse.
Related post:
11 subtle marriage killers to avoid in your marriage.
Signs Of Emotional Abuse One: You’ll be Getting Threats From Them:
The threat is one of the ways an emotionally abusive partner gains more power from the other partner. They use these manipulative scare tactics to make you accept their views or actions.
They may threaten to commit suicide if faced with some breakup issues; they may also threaten to expose you in an embarrassing way or even to take any of your valuables, like a child or money. Jewelry, or home.
Some may even threaten to dump or tell you or your family any of your secrets that he or she knows about. All these are just to make you defenseless from their further actions.
However, when you see all these, you know you have a married and emotionally abusive partner.
Signs Of Emotional Abuse Two: No Respect for Your Privacy:
If your partner starts disrespecting your privacy, then it is a clear sign of emotional abuse. An abusive partner may wake up one day and demand that you hand over your password or codes to him/her.
He may want to read your private messages or listen to your voicemails, whether by insisting you hand over the password or by hacking into it. Those are clear signs that they are emotionally abusive.
Signs Of Emotional Abuse Three: Jealousy:
To some degree, jealousy can be said to be good in a relationship.
Jealousy is only triggered when there are perceived threats in a marriage or relationship.
Diana R. Gerhart, Ph.D., a family therapist, said that jealousy is only bad “if you act on it aggressively.”.
She also said that “it can be useful if it’s approached as a force of good.”
When jealousy is mild in a relationship, it makes the couple careful not to take the other for granted, and it also encourages partners to appreciate the other.
However, when jealousy becomes more than “occasional fleeting feelings,” it is then a sign of emotional abuse.
For instance, if they become jealous of people you relate to, the times you leave the house, the clothes you put on, the books you read, or want to fight anyone that looks or comes closer to you, then that’s a red flag.
Signs Of Emotional Abuse Four: Intimidation:
The abusive partner has so many ways to make you his or her puppet without saying a word.
They use intimidation. According to the dictionary, Intimidation is the act of frightening or threatening someone to do what you want them to do.
Example: If your partner is the type that constantly interrupts your ideas or criticizes what you have said in the past, then it is a sign of abuse; they are just trying to prove that your opinions are of no value.
Sings Of Emotional Abuse Five: Blame game:
The blame game is another serious sign of emotional abuse you should not neglect in your relationship. This is simply when your partner wants to point fingers on you for almost everything.
An example is probably He/she tries to wear a pair of shoes but doesn’t see one of his stockings, The next thing is blaming you When she feels her desires are not met, you receive the blames again.
Dr. Neil, a writer in Forbes, says that ” chronic blaming is a form of emotional abuse… And blame reduces intimacy“.
Blaming create a negative environment between you and your partner; when you allow it to linger a little bit longer, resentment follows, and it also makes the other person feel as though he/she can never get anything right.
Be watchful to know when these signs of emotional abuse stays showing.
Signs Of Emotional Abuse Six: When your partner always refuse to accept flaws:
abusive partner never admits their flaws, and so they always want to make you feel they are perfect. However, they are very far from perfection. If your partner is someone who wants to project perfection images to you, then always take time to look good; you must see those cracks on the wall.
Signs Of Emotional Abuse Seven: Judgemental
Emotionally abusive partners are always very quick to judge the other, even without understanding his/her points.
They are easily provoked, so you won’t know what will get him/her furious the next second.
All these didn’t just start; they usually started from the different little strokes of intolerance and then grew, writhing a short time and become rigid.
Signs Of Emotional Abuse Eight: The Quest To Be In Control
The truth is that power and control are the most important thing an abusive partner wants in the first place. So if you realize that your partner always wants to be in control at every point in time, then that’s a red flag.
This manner of control may not be as obvious as getting you to give him your car keys; he/she may just convince you to quit your job just to take care of the children.
That’s a sign to watch in your relationship before it becomes a threat.
Signs Of Emotional Abuse Nine: Name-Calling:
This is another sign of abusive behavior It is true that we have the right to joke and tease each other in a relationship, but there is a very thin line between making jokes and being rude.
If your partner calls you names like stupid, ugly, dumb, useless, unlovable, then that’s another red flag that he is an abuser.
name-calling makes the other partner look like someone “negative”. But all the abusive partner wants is to exert power over your sense of worth.
Signs Of Emotional Abuse Ten: They Will Gaslight You
Gaslighting is another form of psychological manipulation where your partner makes you doubt their sanity, memories or perception. Most times, they will deny things they said or did earlier just to make you feel confused and question their reality.
For example, they may say, “You are imagining things” or “I didn’t say that” when you confront them about their actions. As time goes on, this can make you feel dependent or powerless on their vision of reality.
Signs Of Emotional Abuse And Manipulation Eleven: Isolation:
Another sign you will notice from your emotional abuser is their plans to isolate you from your family, friends and support networks. They will discourage you from all social activities, constantly criticize your loved ones, or even prevent you from mixing up with certain people.
By controlling who you interact with, your abusive partner will maintain control and power over you. This behavior will make it harder for you to seek help or throw in the towel.
Signs Of An Emotional Abusive Partner Twelve: Financial Control
You will also notice their plans to control the overall finances, limit your access to resources or money, or even sabotage your efforts to become financially independent.
This dependence they are creating for you in your relationship for financial support will make it difficult for you to assert your independence or leave the relationship
Signs Of Emotional Abuse Thirteen: Manipulation:
Your emotionally Abusive partner will also employ the tactics of manipulation in order to undermine your confidence. This can include playing the victim, emotional blackmail or guilt-tripping.
For Example, they may threaten to harm themselves or commit suicide if you try to leave they. They may also use promises of change and affection to keep you trapped in your relationship.
Signs Of Emotional Abuse Fourteen: Constant Criticism
Another sign you will see from your abusive partner is constant criticism and nitpicking. They will want to use it to undermine your confidence and self-esteem.
They will battle your abilities, decisions or appearance to make you feel worthless or inadequate. Overtime, this can destroy your self-worth and make you depend solely on them for approval and validation.
Signs Of Emotional Abuse Fifteen: Emotional Withholding:
Your emotional abuser will only start withholding attention, support or affection as a way of pushing or manipulating you.
They may ignore your feelings and needs and give you the silent treatment or withdraw affection as a means of punishment. This can make you feel lonely, desperate for their approval and unloved. When they succeed with this, they will reinforce their dynamic power in your relationship.
Conclusion:
Recognizing and taking care of the traits of emotional abuse in your relationship is crucial when you want to maintain a healthy relationship. From threats and invasions of privacy to control tactics and manipulation, it is important that you are vigilant.
Seeking support from a good marriage therapist will also be a good help in addressing these issues. Do not neglect any red flag, as early detection is the key to winning.
By prioritizing your emotional well-being and seeking guidance from professionals, you can break free from the cycle of emotional abuse and build a fulfilling relationship.