Emotional abuse is a subtle form of abuse in which the abuser attempts to gain control of the victim by manipulating their emotional well-being.
Emotional abuse, unlike other forms of more apparent forms of abuse such as physical or sexual abuse, can be stealthy and insidious. Oftentimes the victim doesn’t even recognize what they’re experiencing is abuse.
Some typical tactics include:
Using your insecurities or vulnerabilities against you
Withholding affection and attention
Dismissing your concerns, feelings, needs, or opinions
The Silent Treatment
Making unrealistic or unreasonable demands
Future Faking (Making promises they never intend to keep)
Playing upon your guilt or pity
Threatening you with abandonment or rejection
Triangulation (Using others to make you feel insecure or jealous)
Controlling behaviors, which can include financial abuse
All of this leaves victims feeling confused, anxious, depressed, inadequate, shameful, and like something is inherently wrong with them. Make no mistake, emotional abuse is just as harmful as any other form of abuse!