What does emotional abuse look like

Most importantly, if you feel afraid or believe you might be in danger, contact the emergency services immediately. You can also use ReachOut NextStep , an anonymous online tool that will recommend relevant support options for you. It's not always easy to find the right place to start.

Our 'What's on your mind? What is emotional abuse? Types of emotional abuse Emotional abuse can involve any of the following: Verbal abuse: yelling at you, insulting you or swearing at you. Rejection: Constantly rejecting your thoughts, ideas and opinions. Gaslighting: making you doubt your own feelings and thoughts, and even your sanity, by manipulating the truth.

HuffPost Personal Video Horoscopes. Follow Us. Terms Privacy Policy. Part of HuffPost Relationships. All rights reserved. You walk on eggshells to avoid disappointing your partner. Your partner uses gaslighting to maintain the upper hand in the relationship.

Your partner requires constant check-ins and wants to know where you are and who you are with at all times. Your partner refuses to acknowledge your strengths and belittles your accomplishments. Humiliation, negating, and criticizing Control and shame Accusing, blaming, and denial Emotional neglect and isolation Codependence What to do Overview You probably know many of the more obvious signs of mental and emotional abuse.

Humiliation, negating, criticizing. Control and shame. Accusing, blaming, and denial. Emotional neglect and isolation. What to do. Battered Woman Syndrome. Signs and Symptoms of Anxiety Disorders. Read this next. Medically reviewed by Kendra Kubala, PsyD. Medically reviewed by Karen Gill, M. Then, tell them what will happen if they choose to engage in this behavior. For instance, tell them that if they call you names or insult you, the conversation will be over and you will leave the room.

The key is to follow through on your boundaries. If you have been in an emotionally abusive relationship for any amount of time, you may believe that there is something severely wrong with you. But you are not the problem. To abuse is to make a choice. So stop blaming yourself for something you have no control over.

Despite your best efforts, you will never be able to change an emotionally abusive person by doing something different or by being different. An abusive person makes a choice to behave abusively. Remind yourself that you cannot control their actions and that you are not to blame for their choices. The only thing you can fix or control is your response.

Do not engage with an abusive person. In other words, if an abuser tries to start an argument with you, begins insulting you, demands things from you or rages with jealousy, do not try to make explanations, soothe their feelings, or make apologies for things you did not do. Simply walk away from the situation if you can. Engaging with an abuser only sets you up for more abuse and heartache. No matter how hard you try, you will not be able to make things right in their eyes.

Although it can be tough to tell someone what you are going through, speaking up can help. Talk to a trusted friend, family member, or even a counselor about what you are experiencing. Take time away from the abusive person as much as possible and spend time with people who love and support you. This network of healthy friends and confidantes will help you feel less lonely and isolated.

They also can speak truth into your life and help you put things into perspective. If your partner, friend, or family member has no intention of changing or working on their poor choices, you will not be able to remain in the abusive relationship forever. It will eventually take a toll on you both mentally and physically. Depending on your situation, you may need to take steps to end the relationship. Each situation is different. So, discuss your thoughts and ideas with a trusted friend, family member, or counselor.

Emotional abuse can have serious long-term effects, but it can also be a precursor to physical abuse and violence. Remember too, that abuse often escalates when the person being abused makes a decision to leave. So, be sure you have a safety plan in place should the abuse get worse. Healing from emotional abuse takes time. Taking care of yourself, reaching out to your supportive loved ones, and talking to a therapist can help.

Sometimes attempts to deal with or reduce emotional abuse can backfire and actually make the abuse worse.