Perhaps, at first glance, emotional abuse don’t be as obvious as the physical. However, its sequels exist and persist as much or even more than those of physical violence. Yet, many find it difficult to classify it as a form of abuse, mistreatment or violence.
emotional abuse
As the name suggests, Emotional abuse is a form of abuse that one person exerts on another. Among its forms, it is normally characterized by:
- Attitudes, actions and words to humiliate or devalue the other.
- Abuse.
- Disapproval.
- Isolate the other person.
- Disqualifications.
AS, as well as the physique Emotional abuse is a type of violence and mistreatment. In this sense, it is an aggression against another person, usually verbal, in which the abuser uses offensive expressions with the aim of humiliating, disapproving or devaluing the abused person.
Moreover, Since it’s not that obvious, it usually takes time, so that the victim ends up with very low self-esteem and a bad self-image that can even lead her to believe that the abuser is right in her claims.
Psychological abuse has no preferences. Indeed, it can occur among children, young people, adults or the elderly. Likewise, there is no single area where it can occur, so it can occur in family, between friends, as a couple, at work, etc.
On the other hand, we must bear in mind that there may be witnesses of this type of abuse. Thus, for example, children may witness incidents at home or with other colleagues when a boss disapproves of his employee in a humiliating way. In this sense, the emotional health of witnesses can also suffer.
Effects of emotional abuse
The consequences of sustained emotional abuse are, in many cases, invisible. For this reason, it is very difficult to identify them, even on the part of the abused person.
Low self-esteem
Low self-esteem can be one of the causes of abuse, but also one of its consequences. In other words, low self-esteem can be a factor that encourages the abuser to initiate his abuse and, at the same time, through the abuse, will succeed in limiting the self-esteem of the abused person.
Indeed, the weakness of the victim is one of the things that attracts the abuser, so it will attack exactly where it hurts the most. The abuser will constantly repeat that the victim is useless, humiliating and upsetting them. In turn, the victim will believe it, amplifying the addictive bond.
stress and anxiety
People who experience emotional abuse have high levels of stress and anxiety. This is mostly because I’m not able to see what’s really going on. Indeed, many times they are unaware that they have been mistreated and that the abuser’s behavior is not normal or acceptable.
Feeling of guilt
As we have indicated previously, the victim has low levels of self-esteem and personal worth, increased by the abuser’s aggressions. Here because, on many occasions, she may even blame herself for the mistreatment. That is to say, he may go so far as to justify the abuse by telling himself that it is his fault.
In this sense, the abuser – especially in couple relationships – comes to encourage this sense of guilt in the victim, Which it is known as emotional blackmail.
other effects
There are cases of abuse where the effects can be even more critical than the above. Among these we highlight:
- Depression. Consequence of prolonged abuse and lack of self-esteem.
- Suicidal ideas. This is an extreme case but, unfortunately, it exists. We recall the case of some teenagers who suffered bullying or bullying.
- Drug or alcohol abuse. In fact, the use of these substances can help victims escape reality and deal with emotional abuse by refusing to see reality.
- Aggression. Accumulated anger and rage can give rise to an aggressive personality. Especially in children, it can become a serious problem in adolescence and adulthood.
- Difficulty maintaining relationships with other people. The abuse, low self-esteem, and lack of trust can lead the abused to be unable to maintain healthy interpersonal relationships, preferring emotional ostracism.
For all these reasons, emotional abuse should be considered as harmful a type of aggression as physical abuse. You need to set boundaries and walk away from abusive relationships or people, reporting the situation as soon as possible.
In the case of children and adolescents, it also involves the active participation and ability of their parents or guardians identify the signs in order to prevent worse consequences.
Indeed, If physical abuse is to be reported, emotional abuse must also be reported. From there, a process and therapy must begin to help the victim regain self-esteem and self-confidence.
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