Psychological abuse

There are many types of abuse. Many of them are obviously cruel. Emotional abuse is more subtle. Such abuse goes unseen, as even the victim does not recognize that she is being abused. What is more, psychological abuse does not leave black eyes or visible bruises. It damages self-esteem. Quite often psychological abuse goes together with physical and sexual abuse. So in short, emotional or psychological abuse involves any behavior, verbal or nonverbal, that negatively impacts another person’s emotional or psychological well being.

So first of all, I would like to speak about causes. One of the reasons, that psychological abuse could be a way to show your power that you can control other person. Person who is abusing, may be feeling and powerless. Other reason may be perpetrators were often emotionally abused as children, but not all emotionally abused children become abusers. Third reason, emotional abuse occurs, because of traditional male-female roles, where woman is like a man’s property. Also, physiological and sexual abuse cause emotional once.

Secondly, I would like to speak, how to recognize emotional abuse. There are physical and behavioral indicators. Physical indicators are: significant weight loss, stress-related conditions, including elevated blood pressure. Behavioral indicators are: victim has problems with sleep; exhibits depression or confusion; is emotionally upset, agitated, non-responsive, exhibits unusual behavior and so on. What is more abusers often try to isolate victims from outside world. Try control victims where she goes, whom she speaks to and what she does. Perpetrators can forbid for the victim to use telephone, communicate with friends or visit her family. Many abusers say that such their behavior is proof of their love. However, they only want to isolate victims to feels secure themselves.

How can victims help for themselves? If person doe not know exactly is she abused, she can talk with friends or relatives, whose opinion he trust. Also, remind yourself that you have the right to a life free of abuse. Take activities that you enjoy. Try to become independent of abuser: have a separate bank account, try getting a job.

References: http://www.preventelderabuse.org/elderabuse/psychological.html
http://www.calss.utoronto.ca/pamphlets/emotional_abuse.htm