Spotting an Emotional Abuser

People who are emotionally abused can acquire depression and anxiety or other psychologically related ailments as a consequence of being subjected to such ill treatment. Hence, seeking help by addressing the issue of emotional abuse is imperative.

Abuse is not limited to suffering from any form of physical injury. But the possibility of acquiring psychological and emotional ailments as a consequence of the abuse weighs more heavily than anything else. Among such ailments are depression and anxiety, as well as other illnesses associated with the latter. In addition, if the victim has suffered tremendously, they are likely to come down with post-traumatic stress disorder.

More often than not, such dire outcomes are associated with physical abuse. However, if you find yourself trapped in an emotionally abusive relationship where you are always dominated by a subtly tyrannical and abusive partner, being cornered by adverse feelings like guilt, shame, fear, anger, and sadness is expected. Hence, seeking help by addressing the issue of emotional abuse is imperative.

However, getting out of emotionally abusive relationships or stopping the vicious emotional ride of encountering this form of manipulation is never easy, especially for the victim. Problems arising from conflicts between partners is typical. But when your partner turns emotionally abusive, hogging power and control for the purpose of ego gratification, then it is a matter that you should not overlook or worse, dismiss. To help you evaluate if your relationship is emotionally abusive or not, here are important guidelines identifying an emotionally abusive partner.

- You are afraid of your partner.

- You feel as though you are not in liberty to discuss personal or emotional matters with your partner. In this case, it is not your reluctance that causes this to happen but his behavior. There are definite indications that would tell you if he is open to discussing such matters or not.

- Your partner often criticizes you or whatever you do to the extent of humiliation or embarrassment, even in front of other people.

- Your partner ridicules you whenever you express yourself or talk about your feelings.

- Your partner is occupying your entire world. His demands on you eventually detaches you from other people including your own family and close friends.

- Your partner is controlling (or always trying to control) almost every aspect of your life; which involves your work, finances, and other resources.

- There are times when your partner takes money from you without your knowledge or approval.

- The emotional state of your relationship is extreme and erratic: one day he is the sweetest person, and then the next day he acts as though you are a total stranger.

- You cannot shake the feeling of being emotionally suffocated and trapped in your relationship.

- Whenever you and your partner have an argument, he becomes explosive and throws a fit. In doing so, he could literally damage things or your own personal belongings. At times, he would even threaten to hurt pets or properties you hold dear.

- Your partner always has a way of turning the tables on you even if it is obviously his fault. Regardless of how much you argue your stand and assert your clear take or observation on things, he would always find a way to swerve the direction of the blame to you.

- No matter what your partner does, he would never own up for his own actions or behavior. Worse, he can even lay the blame on you for influencing him to become as such.