Emotional Abuse- What Does it Look Like?

A victim of emotional abuse quite often doesn’t see the mistreatment as being abusive. 

Victims of abuse often demonstrate coping mechanisms of denial and they also minimize their abuse.

Emotional abuse can cause severe emotional trauma in victims such as depression, anxiety, and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Here is a list of some behaviors that  constitutes emotional abuse:

1. When someone humiliates you, puts you down, or makes fun of you in front of other people.

2. When someone disregard your opinions, ideas, suggestions, or needs.


3. When someone accuses you of being “too sensitive” in order to deflect their abusive remarks.

5. When someone is controlling.

6.When you have to ask permission from this person.

7.When someone cuts down your dreams and goals.

8.When someone repeatedly points out your flaws. 

9. When someone accuses you of things that are not true.


10. When someone make excuses for their behavior, tries to blame others, and has difficulty apologizing.


11. They blame you for their problems, life difficulties, or for their unhappiness.

12. They call you names or curse at you.

13. They are emotionally distant or emotionally unavailable most of the time.

14. When someone resorts to pouting or withdrawal to get attention or to attain what they want.

15. They lack empathy or compassion.

16. They play the victim role and try to deflect blame to you rather than taking personal responsibility.

17. They disengage or use neglect or abandonment to punish or frighten you.

18. They do not notice or care about your feelings.

19. They withhold sex as a way to manipulate and control.

20. They invalidate or deny their emotionally abusive behavior when confronted.

21. They make threats to frighten or control you.

The first step for those being emotionally abused is recognizing it’s happening. 

If you recognize any of these signs of emotional abuse in a relationship that you are in, you need to be honest with yourself so you can regain power over your own life, stop the abuse, and begin to heal. 
 
The stress of emotional abuse will eventually catch up with you in the forms of illness, emotional trauma, depression, and/or anxiety. You simply can’t allow it to continue, even if it means ending the relationship. 

A counselor can help you navigate the pain and fears of leaving an abusive relationship and work with you to rebuild your self-esteem.

Reference: Live Bold and Bloom

If you are a victim of emotional or violent abuse, there is help. 

Free Monthly Support Group

For Victims of Abuse
 Support groups are also for loved ones and family members

When: Every 1st Saturday at 2:00pm- 3:15pm

Where: Michael Loftis Counseling

2670 Memorial Blvd. Suite E

Murfreesboro, TN 37129

Call Diane at (615) 556-8406 or email her at Diane@LivingWithHopeCounseling.com to register.

                                 By Diane Gammon M.S. Clinical Mental Health Counselor

Now open Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays