If you are in a relationship that leaves you feeling scared or overwhelmed, you may be in an emotionally abusive relationship. Emotional abuse is a form of domestic violence that uses psychological and verbal tactics to control and manipulate their partner. To protect yourself from further harm, it is essential to be aware of the signs of emotional abuse and find help to rebuild your life. Call 833.754.0554 to speak with someone from Women’s Recovery’s caring and compassionate staff about how to identify an emotionally abusive relationship and our women’s trauma treatment program.
How Do You Identify an Emotionally Abusive Relationship?
The signs of emotional abuse can be hard to spot because they do not present as clearly as physical abuse. Some common indicators include:
- Fear
- Guilt
- Shame
- Confusion
- Isolation
- Constant criticism
- Jealousy
- Possessiveness
An emotionally abusive partner may also use intimidation tactics such as threats or manipulation to keep their partner in line. It’s important to remember that emotional abuse is still considered a form of domestic violence and should be taken seriously.
What Is Domestic Violence?
Domestic violence encompasses any harm inflicted on another person by someone with whom they have a close relationship. This includes physical, sexual, economic, mental, and emotional abuse—so it is also often present in emotionally abusive relationships. Domestic violence is unacceptable and should always be reported if you suspect it’s happening in your home or relationships.
What Is Verbal Abuse?
Verbal abuse is the intentional use of words or actions to control or manipulate someone else. Common examples include name-calling, belittling comments about physical appearance or mental capacity, insults about a partner’s family members or friends and using sarcasm to mock someone else’s feelings or opinions. Verbal abuse can also take the form of manipulation through gaslighting—when someone intentionally acts in ways designed to make their partner doubt themselves and their perceptions about what’s happening around them.
What Is Mental Abuse?
Mental abuse occurs when one person uses psychological tactics to control another person’s behavior or emotions. This includes humiliation tactics such as public shaming or making fun of another person’s beliefs, isolating someone from friends and family, playing mind games, and using fear to control someone else’s behavior. Mental abuse can also take the form of passive-aggressive behavior, such as silent treatment or withholding affection until certain conditions are met by the other person.
What Are the Dangers of Being in an Emotionally Abusive Relationship?
An emotionally abusive relationship can have long-term effects on your mental health, including depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, unresolved trauma, and even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It can also lead to substance abuse issues if the victim turns to drugs or alcohol to cope with the trauma associated with being in an emotionally abusive relationship. In extreme cases, victims may even become suicidal due to their inability to cope with the situation they find themselves in.
How Can Women In Emotionally Abusive Relationships Find Help?
Help is available for women who find themselves trapped in an emotionally abusive relationship. Women’s Recovery offers addiction treatment programs specifically tailored for women who need help overcoming issues related to substance use disorders (SUDs) caused by being exposed to domestic violence situations. Additionally, there are many local organizations that provide resources for victims of domestic violence, such as hotlines for 24/7 crisis support services, access to counseling services and assistance filing restraining orders against abusers if necessary.
Find a Women’s Trauma Treatment Program in Colorado at Women’s Recovery
No one deserves to be mistreated by their partner. If you think you may be in an emotionally abusive relationship it’s crucial that you reach out for help right away. Contact Women’s Recovery today at 833.754.0554 to learn more about emotionally abusive relationships and our women’s trauma treatment program.
