Many people struggle with getting a clear idea of emotional abuse, it’s also a form of abuse that is all too often dismissed by others. But the impact of being emotionally abused is exceptionally damaging. Just because you cannot see it doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.
When considering emotional abuse, it’s about living with intimidation and threatening behaviours that make someone feel scared and unable to stand up for themselves.
Other forms of emotional abuse are name-calling, making to feel guilty, dismissing your opinion, making you think everything is your fault, gaslighting (see our section on gaslighting), taking away your choices and thereby controlling your life. Emotional abuse is also a form of abuse often present in coercive control, again have a look at our section on coercive control.
While it might not always be clear, emotional abuse is often just that; to make you second guess yourself, lose your independence and self-confidence, and make you feel small and insignificant and always in the wrong or a failure.
If you feel you are affected by any of the above, do seek support! You are not alone and we are here to help, click here to get in touch.