Psychological abuse, better known as emotional abuse, has become a romantic relationship epidemic. Most individuals do not know what is considered emotional abuse. Healthy Place, a mental health channel, defines emotional abuse as "any act including confinement, isolation, verbal assault, humiliation, intimidation, infantilization, or any other treatment which may diminish the sense of identity, dignity, and self-worth." Still, 57 percent of college students say it is difficult to identify and 58 percent say they don’t know how to help someone who’s experiencing it. That was until Zahira Kelly started the hashtag #MaybeHeDoesntHitYou, the trending topic led to thousands of abuse survivors opening up and sharing their experience of emotional abuse.
Maybe your partner doesn't hit you, but if they make you question your self-worth, it is not a healthy relationship. It is not easy to admit that you feel abused, especially when your abuser already tells you how emotional and over-sensitive you are -- I know. I've been there. It is not easy to explain your feelings when everyone else is convinced that the abuser is the perfect gentlemen. It is not easy to convince yourself that you deserve better when your abuser constantly tells you that you are lucky he stays with you. Nothing about emotional abuse is easy, especially when you are in love with your abuser. When the moments of happiness and joy are tainted because you know an attack could come at any time, it is time to get out. There is life after an abusive relationship, but the first step is acknowledging that you are in one and you need help.
There are steps to identifying emotional abuse, HuffPost Women outlines five sure signs you are being emotionally abused. HelpGuide offers detailed explanations and warning signs of all types of abuse, from obvious physical to subtle financial abuse. For those of you who haven't experienced emotional abuse, StopRelationshipAbuse offers tips and resources to help support the survivor.
If you know of someone who is being abused in any manner do not be afraid to intervene. If you are dating, be proactive and educate yourself of the warning signs before it takes a serious turn. This is not your fault, some form of abuse will occur in one in three relationships. It is not a sign of being naive, having a lack of judgment, or showing weakness.
The National Domestic Abuse Hotline :1-800-799-7233 | 1-800-787-3224 (TTY)
