If you're not sure if you're in an abusive relationship, examine how you feel when you chat with others around you, as well as how you feel when you meet and engage with specific individuals and friends in your life - if speaking or meeting with someone makes you feel disheartened, wounded, misunderstood, sad, or worthless, you are most certainly a victim of emotional abuse.
How Does Emotional Abuse Affect Its Victims?
Psychological/emotional abuse is a serious form of abuse since many women claim it is as painful as or worse than physical assault, and it contributes to the establishment and maintenance of the relationship's overall violent dynamic. Long term effects of emotional abuse can be devastating and, in some cases, life-threatening. If it’s not caught and dealt with in time, victims of emotional abuse can end up suffering from lifelong psychological problems.
Below are some of the issues frequently faced by victims of mental and emotional abuse:
- Declining overall health
- Low self-confidence
- A growing number of physical and psychological problems
- Fear of sharing anything with partners, friends, and family
- Constant feelings of guilt
- Feelings of isolation
- A fear of abandonment by people close to them
- Difficulty forming new relationships
- Difficulty concentrating
How to Cope with Emotional Abuse
As a victim of emotional abuse, your first step toward recovery should be to learn to trust yourself. Remember that you have every right to live a dignified life, that no one has the right to humiliate you, and that if they do, you have every right to free yourself from humiliation and choose your own path.
Stop feeling guilty. No one deserves to be assaulted emotionally. Never attempt to reason with your abuser. You may assume that by doing so, you are solving the problem, but the chances of this happening without professional assistance are little to none.
Distance yourself. Regardless of your connection with your abuser, it is always advisable to distance yourself from them. Make it obvious that enough is enough and that they cannot take you for granted any more. If you're having emotional problems as a result of your decision, get professional treatment.
Establish boundaries. Do not engage in any debates or discussions with your abuser. It's advisable to ignore them and walk on if they try to approach you or elicit a reaction from you.
Give yourself a break. It's a good idea to seek assistance from family and/or friends when you're feeling down. Remember that you may always seek expert treatment to help you heal more quickly.
The only way to start healing from this trauma is to end the abuse, either by successfully challenging the current perpetrator or by quitting the relationship (it's often easier said than done). Many victims have been brainwashed to the point where they're terrified to question their relationship and see no way out.
Even for those who are able to break out from an abusive spouse, healing is frequently a long and difficult process - the healing process can only begin when both the self and the other spouse freely acknowledge previous trauma. Relationships involving children or shared common assets might be difficult to break away from. In such cases, it’s advised that you seek legal assistance to ensure that the process goes as smoothly as possible.
Hire Professional Help
Emotional abuse, mental trauma, psychological issues, and verbal abuse may all be healed more quickly with the support of professional therapists and counselors.
Solstice Pacific is here to guide you through your recovery process. We understand how difficult this situation is for you and your family so we’re here to assist you. Contact us at (949) 200-7929 and answer this quick assessment.
In cases where physical violence is involved, it’s always advised that you contact 911 or your local emergency services to help diffuse the situation.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline can also help when there’s a threat of physical violence and can put you in contact with shelters and various useful services across the US. The National Domestic Violence Hotline can be reached 24/7 at 1-800-799-7233.