Is There Really Such Thing As Emotional Abuse?

Although I grew up in an emotionally abusive environment, I didn't recognize what went on as abuse. Emotional abuse is any type of abuse that is not physical in nature and it can include everything from verbal abuse to the silent treatment, domination to subtle manipulation. While there are several forms of emotional abuse, most happens as an attempt to control another person. I've heard it described as being similar to brainwashing because it wears away one's self-confidence and their sense of self.

Emotional abuse doesn't just suddenly happen, and then just as abruptly, stop. It's a behavioral patter that occurs over a period of time.

Women who have been emotionally abused as children often find themselves in abusive relationships as adults. If you find yourself in a position where you begin to doubt your perceptions, becoming increasingly depressed...and then you notice that you are isolating yourself from those who are close to you...then know that these are signs of emotional abuse.

Doctors agree that those who experience emotional abuse usually come from abusive families. They either witness the abuse of one parent by the other, and/or they were abused themselves by a parent.

Emotional abusers have a tendency to push their limits. They will go as far as their partner will allow. When they learn their partner will no longer allow it, some will back off. Others may try different tactics. Still, it is worth the risk.

Many emotional abusers have been indoctrinated with their behavior to the point that they don't even know they are being abusive. Even when they don't realize it, they are merely continuing a pattern they themselves learned in their childhood. Some emotional abusers are very shocked to realize they are acting like their parents. Some are willing to get help in order to stop the behavior, especially if they feel they will lose their partner if they continue to be abusive.

Emotional abuse can be just as damaging as physical or sexual abuse and sometimes even more so because the damage is deep and all encompassing. The worst thing that can be done to a person is to make them doubt their own perceptions, and in turn, their very sanity. Emotional abuse destroys your self-esteem so much so that many women become prisoners of their own fear--they become immobilized and won't leave the situation because they believe they won't be able to make it on their own.

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