What is Emotional Abuse? Part II

Emotional abuse is any behavior that is trying to control and enslave another person through the use of humiliation, intimidation, fear, guilt, coercion, manipulation, etc. and is emotional in nature rather than physical. Verbal abuse, constant criticism, judging, repeated disapproval, never being pleased or approving are all forms of emotional abuse.

When a person is subjected to emotional abuse over a long period of time they lose self-confidence, a strong sense of self and self-worth, and they lose trust in others and in their own perceptions. Emotional abuse damages the very life inside of someone which can be deeper and more lasting that physical abuse. Emotional abuse leads to a person feeling so under-valued that they are incapable of judging the situation realistically. They can begin to believe what is told to them and blame themselves or take fault for the emotional abuse they receive. They can then actually seek out the abuser looking for that approval and love they never receive. It shows up in their relationships with others when they seek out partners that are similar to the abusers because they feel they do not deserve any better. They tend to build up an intense fear of isolation and abandonment.


Reference: http://eqi.org/eabuse1.htmWhat%20is%20Emotional%20Abuse?