What are the Signs of Emotional Abuse?

What are the signs of emotional abuse? Emotional abuse is often more subtle than physical abuse. You may have heard of emotional abuse described as mental abuse, psychological abuse, or verbal abuse. It is when someone demeans or manipulates you in order to control your behavior. They use aggressive or passive-aggressive behaviors to force you into a people-pleasing behavior.

People who experience emotional abuse tend to try to please the abuser, either because they are unaware that the abuse is happening or because they are afraid of the abuser. They may become codependent on the abuser and believe that they cannot live without them.

Emotional abuse can lead to mental health concerns and damaging behaviors. It is never okay to manipulate others to control them, whether that is a spouse, parent, child, or family member.

Signs You Could Be in an Emotionally Abusive Relationship

Not all signs of emotional abuse are blatant. For example, you may have started a side hustle to help with the bills. Although the extra money is helpful to the family’s income, your spouse feels threatened and constantly makes snide comments about the job.

This is an attempt to make them feel better about themselves, but they take it out on you. When this behavior forms a pattern, you may realize that this has happened in the past. Unfortunately, the behavior may continue unless you either leave the relationship or seek counseling.

The following is a list of red flags of emotional abuse:

• Gaslighting
• Silent treatment
• Verbal threats
• Controlling behaviors
• Demeaning comments or insults
• Isolation

No one is perfect, so you or someone else may display one of the above behaviors in an argument. However, take note of how often the behavior presents itself. If it is coming from someone else, and you confront them about it, how do they respond? If you feel like you have to walk on eggshells to keep from upsetting them, you are in an emotionally abusive relationship.

Effects of Emotional Abuse

Emotional abuse wears away at a person’s confidence. You may feel like giving up and losing your identity to please your abuser. The effects of emotional abuse can last months and years after you have removed yourself from the relationship.

The following is a list of issues that can arise as a result of emotional abuse:

• Body image issues
• Depression
• Anxiety
• PTSD
• Low self-esteem
• Isolation

If left untreated, intrusive thoughts can form in the voice of your abuser. Negative self-talk will rob you of self-esteem and confidence. You may have suicidal thoughts or inflict self-harm. If you are in that mindset, please seek help immediately.

You can rebuild your life, change your mindset, and move past emotional abuse. It takes learning new skills and having a support system present. If your abuser sought to isolate you from friends and family, you may want to reach out to them now or seek help from a counselor or support group.

Getting Help for Signs of Emotional Abuse

If the signs of emotional abuse seem familiar to you, seek help immediately. If you are currently in this type of relationship, you may need a third party to help you leave the toxic union.

Call our office today to schedule a session with a Christian counselor in Irvine, California. You can thrive after abuse, but you need the skills to help you move forward. We would love to help. Connect with us today at Irvine Christian Counseling in California.