A means by which one
partner takes control of another’s life through
verbal abuse and
threats, especially relating to
travel and
financial support (“you cannot go home unless I say.” “You cannot have
money to buy X unless I say”) Emotional abuse can be just as dangerous as
physical abuse as the
abused, sensing that their life is no longer in their control, often turns to
drugs,
alcohol or
self neglect to
numb the constant
misery.
It is extremely difficult for an emotionally abused person to ask for
help because unlike a physically abused person he or she has no
scars. It becomes easy for him or her to assume that “If I could only do better for my partner my life wouldn’t be this way.
It’s my fault.”
Children may also be emotionally abused, though
society has been far more willing to listen to their
cries for help than the cries of
adults.
Is it Emotional Abuse?
Do you feel that you can't discuss with your partner what is bothering you?
Does your partner frequently criticize you, humiliate you, or undermine your self-esteem?
Does your partner ridicule you for expressing yourself?
Does your partner isolate you from friends, family or groups?
Does your partner limit your access to work, money or material resources?
Has your partner ever stolen from you? Or run up debts for you to handle?
Does your relationship swing back and forth between a lot of emotional distance and being very close?
Have you ever felt obligated to have sex, just to avoid an argument about it?
Do you sometimes feel trapped in the relationship?
Has your partner ever thrown away your belongings, destroyed objects or threatened pets?
Are you afraid of your partner?
source for questions:
www.lilaclane.com/relationships/emotional-abuse/