POST CREDIT: Badlav Seva Samiti
Domestic abuse is indeed a form of emotional abuse. If you are not
physically harmed, you may not believe you are being mistreated. However,
emotional, and verbal abuse can have just as devastating short-term and
long-term consequences as physical violence.
Emotional abuse can occur at any moment in an individual’s life. Women
who are children, teenagers, or adults are all subjected to emotional abuse.
Emotional abuse is any type of abuse that is not physical in origin. It
can range from vocal abusive behaviour and continuous criticizing to more
subtle techniques like manipulation, intimidation, and a willingness to never
be satisfied. It can be seen in multiple ways. Denial, aggression, and
minimisation are three typical types of abusive behaviour.
This can be destructive to relationships, and everyone involved. Just
because there is no visible scar does not imply the abuse isn't real or that it
isn't a serious issue or even a criminal in certain countries.
Since there is no defined term for emotional abuse, it might have a
definition that goes beyond psychological abuse and verbal abuse. Humiliating,
blaming, and name-calling are just a few examples of verbal abuse that may have
an emotional impact on a victim.
Verbal abuse impacts and even damages the victim's self-worth and
mental well-being, resulting in an emotionally traumatized victim. The sufferer
may suffer from serious psychological effects.
It would also include brainwashing methods, which may also be
classified as psychological abuse, but emotional abuse includes manipulating
victim's emotions.
The victim may believe that the abuser has influenced their emotions to
such an extent that the victim is unable to recognise their own feelings about
the issue or issues that the abuser is influencing. As a result, the victim's
self-concept and independence are gradually lost.
Emotional abuse is sometimes referred to by experts as psychological
abuse or "chronic verbal aggression." People who have experienced
emotional abuse have poor self-esteem, changes in personality (such as
withdrawing themselves from things they like doing), and may even become
nervous, suicidal, or depressed.
Emotional abuse can occur unexpectedly. Some abusers may begin by
behaving normally and then begin abusing after establishing a connection.
In the beginning of a relationship, some abusers may purposely flood
you with affection and attention, including praises and desires to see you
frequently.
The abuser frequently attempts to make the person feel deeply attached
to them, as though the two of them are “against the world.”
Here are few examples of emotional abuse:
⚠ Verbally attacking the victim.
⚠ Having control over what the victim has to do and cannot do.
⚠ Keeping personal things from the victim.
⚠ Intentionally causing the person to suffer.
⚠ Made to feel inferior or humiliated.
⚠ Keeping track of the partner's location and time.
⚠ Yelling at her for not having a child/ not having a male child.
⚠ Compelling the victim that she is insane.
⚠ Undermining the victim's self-esteem and/or confidence.
⚠ Making fun of the victim in public or in private.
⚠ Restricting the victim's access to money or other essential assets
⚠ When the abuser tries separating victim from their family and friends.
⚠ Interfering with the partner's ability to work.
Accusations, verbal abuse, name-calling, critiques, and gaslighting
undermine a victim's sense of self over time to the point where they can no
long see themselves truly.
As a result, the victim may tend to agree with the abuser and develop
internal criticism. When this occurs, the majority of victims get stuck in abusive relationship, feeling that they'll never be good enough for anybody
else.
How to deal with emotional abuse?
Prioritize yourself: When it concerns your emotional and physical
wellness, you must prioritise yourself. Stop trying to please the one who is
assaulting you. Take care of your own requirements.
Or do something to encourage you to stay positive and reinforce your
identity.
Additionally, make sure you get enough rest and eat nutritious foods.
These basic self-care actions can help you cope with the day-to-day
difficulties of emotional abuse.
✔ Setting Boundaries
Tell the abusive individual that they
can no long shout at you, call you names, disrespect you, be nasty to you, or
do anything else. Then, inform them of the consequences of engaging in this
activity.
Tell them, for example, that if they insult you or call you names, the
discussion will end, and you will walk out of the room. The important thing is
to stick to your principles when it comes to setting boundaries.
Know it’s not your mistake and doesn’t blame yourself: If you've been in
an emotionally abusive relationship for a long time, you might think there's
something horribly off with you.
However, you are never the issue. Abusing implies making a choice. Stop
punishing yourself for something over which you have no power.
✔ Stop fixing your abuser:
Regardless of how hard you try;
you would never be able to fix an emotional abuser by doing or being better. An
abusive individual makes the decision to be abusive.
✔ Avoid Explaining yourself:
Do not interact with someone who
is abusive. In other terms, if an abuser attempts to create an issue with you,
insults you, expects things, or rages with jealously, do not try to explain,
comfort their feelings, or ask for forgiveness for something you did not do.
If possible, walk straight away from the situation. Interacting with an
abuser simply leads to more harassment and heartbreak. You will never be able
to make things right in their eyes, no matter how hard you try.
✔ Work on ending that relationship:
Try moving away
from the situation. Dealing with an abuser just increases the pressure and
misery. No matter how long it takes, you will never be able to make things
right in their eyes.
Depending on your circumstances, you might have to end the
relationship. Every case is unique. So, talk to a trusted friend, family
member, or counsellor about your thoughts and ideas.
Emotional abuse can have deep impacts, but it
can also serve as a starting point to violence and physical abuse.
