Emotional Abuse

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Emotional abuse

Emotional abuse is also known as psychological abuse or as "chronic verbal aggression" by researchers. People who suffer from emotional abuse tend to have very low self-esteem, show personality changes (such as becoming withdrawn) and may even become depressed, anxious or suicidal.  One definition of emotional abuse is: "any act including confinement, isolation, verbal assault, humiliation, intimidation, or any other treatment which may diminish the sense of identity, dignity, and self-worth."  Emotional abuse is a form of violence.

You may be in an emotionally abusive relationship

  • Yelling or swearing (aka:  Emotional Bullying)  

  • Name calling or insults; mocking

  • Threats and intimidation

  • Ignoring or excluding

  • Isolating/Humiliating/Blaming

  • Denial of the abuse and blaming of the victim

  • Calling you names, insulting you or continually criticizing you

  • Refusing to trust you and acting jealous or possessive

  • Monitoring where you go, who you call and who you spend time with

  • Demanding to know where you are every minute

  • Using weapons to threaten to hurt you

  • Punishing you by withholding affection

  • Threatening to hurt you, the children, your family or your pets

  • Damaging your property when they’re angry

  • Blaming you for the abuse

  • Accusing you of cheating and being often jealous of your outside relationships

  • Serially cheating on you and then blaming you for his or her behavior

  • Cheating on you intentionally to hurt you and then threatening to cheat again

  • Cheating to prove that they are more desired, worthy, etc. than you are

  • Attempting to control your appearance: what you wear, how much/little makeup you wear

  • Telling you that you will never find anyone better, or that you are lucky to be with  anyone

  • Threats of violence or abandonment

  • Intentionally frightening

  • Making an individual fear that they will not receive the food or care they need

  • Lying

  • Failing to check allegations of abuse against them

  • Making derogative or slanderous statements about an individual to others

  • Socially isolating an individual, failing to let them have visitors

  • Withholding important information

  • Demeaning an individual because of the language they speak

  • Intentionally misinterpreting traditional practices

  • Repeatedly raising the issue of death

  • Telling an individual that they are too much trouble

  • Ignoring or excessively criticizing

  • Unreasonably ordering an individual around; treating an individual like a servant or child

If you need help

Visit One Place Family Justice Center at 530 S. Lawrence Street, Montgomery, Alabama or call 334.262.7378 or if you are in immediate danger Call 911.

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