In movies and TV shows, signs of emotional abuse are typically portrayed through physical violence or other blatant acts of aggression, like screaming or hurling insults. According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline , it involves any non-physical behaviours that aim to control, isolate or scare you, which can include things like threats or humiliation.
The experts we spoke with agree on one thing though: Emotional abuse is a complex and serious form of intimate partner violence that deserves more attention. Logan, PhD, a professor of behavioural science at the University of Kentucky whose research focuses on intimate partner violence. Another sneaky control tactic is disguising irrational demands as normal boundaries, adds Dr. Mechanic, who studies the psychosocial consequences of violence and trauma.
Mechanic says. You might already know that reading your texts without your permission or touching you in ways that make you uncomfortable crosses the line. Not only do emotionally abusive people tend to push your personal limits, but they may also make you feel guilty about having them in the first place, Dr. However, an abusive lover may strategically use the stuff you disclosed in confidence and turn it against you, Dr.
Logan cautions. Logan says. The next time you confront them about something they did that upset you, consider: Do they acknowledge your perspective with empathy? Logan suggests. On its own, the latter may not immediately qualify as abuse, but consistently using nonverbal cues to intimidate you or make you second-guess your decisions can indicate coercive control, Dr.
What is gaslighting? How to spot the very pervasive form of emotional abuse. There is a termβand a reasonβfor why you feel crippled by your abandonment issues. They guilt-trip you when you spend time without them Not only do emotionally abusive people tend to push your personal limits, but they may also make you feel guilty about having them in the first place, Dr.
