Not all abuse is physical. A lot of damage can be made via emotional abuse. It is not always easy to spot the signs, especially when the abuse is coming from a partner, friend or family member. Today we will run through what to look out for.
WHAT IS EMOTIONAL ABUSE?
Emotional abuse, also known as Psychological Abuse is when a person (the perpetrator) is subjecting another person to behaviour which could result in psychological trauma, including; anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.
THE SIGNS
Intimidation, Criticism and Humiliation:
This could encompass a number of different elements including –
- Name calling
- Public embarrassment
- Laughing at you when you tell them something that is important
- Insulting your personal appearance
- Threatening behaviour e.g. shouting at you
- Being patronising and undermining
- Bullying and pressuring you into situations that you do not want to be in
Economic abuse
This is when the perpetrator is withholding money from you or keeping accounts in their name. Any money you have access to they now regard as theirs and may only give you a minimal amount to go and collect necessities.
Emotional blackmail
If you are wanting to go out and see friends, the perpetrator may start to cry so that you feel guilty and have to stay in with them. From this they may also become jealous and accuse you of cheating which in turn makes you feel guilty.
Control
Controlling behaviour could include any of the below –
- Making all decisions without consulting you
- Insisting that you update them on every move you make and monitoring your whereabouts
- They may start going through your phone or even taking your phone away from you
- Locking you in the house
- Isolating you from your friends and family
- Talking to you as though you are a child
We hope this information on emotional abuse has been helpful. As always please feel free to contact us by phone on 07802 722703 or email us at info.mdvs@yahoo.com.