Hello April
This is for you, you who think that’s there is something wrong with you and that’s why you are being beaten or emotionally abused. You think that you got to do better or that every relationship is like yours this justifying the abuse. I am here to tell you that you are wrong. There is absolutely nothing wrong with you but everything is wrong with your partner and the earlier you understand this, the better for you and your Precious life.
This April should be your turning point, you have suffered long enough and you don’t deserve what is happening to you. You need to get courage to stand up to that abusive partner or to simply walk away.
My friend was emotionally abused and she didn’t even know that it was happening because all she was told was that abuse is physical. It is only abuse if someone beats you and since she wasn’t being beaten she thought it was okay until she went into severe depression, lost her self esteem and became insecure that she realised she was being abused.
There are so many types of abuse like physical abuse that is commonly known to many, there is also psychological abuse or emotional abuse and sexual abuse. I would like people reading this to know that all these abuse happen at home, schools or workplaces and should be reported. If you are experiencing and type of abuse, you can contact me and I will find help.
Today, my emphasis is on emotional abuse or psychological abuse. This is what internet gave as the definition.
Emotional abuse is any kind of abuse that is emotional rather than physical in nature. It can include anything from verbal abuse and constant criticism to more subtle tactics such as intimidation, manipulation, and refusal to ever be pleased. Emotional abuse can take many forms. Three general patterns of abusive behavior include aggressing, denying, and minimizing”; “Withholding is another form of denying. Withholding includes refusing to listen, refusing to communicate, and emotionally withdrawing as punishment.” Even though there is no established definition for emotional abuse, emotional abuse can possess a definition beyond verbal and psychological abuse.
Blaming, shaming, and name calling are a few verbally abusive behaviors which can affect a victim emotionally. The victim’s self-worth and emotional well being are altered and even diminished by the verbal abuse, resulting in an emotionally-abused victim.
The victim may experience severe psychological effects. This would involve the tactics of brainwashing, which can fall under psychological abuse as well, but emotional abuse consists of the manipulation of the victim’s emotions. The victim may feel their emotions are being affected by the abuser to such an extent that the victim may no longer recognize their own feelings regarding the issues the abuser is trying to control. The result is the victim’s self-concept and independence are systematically taken away.
The U.S Departmen for Justice defines emotionally abusive traits as including causing fear by: intimidation, threatening physical harm to self, partner, children, or partner’s family or friends, destruction of pets and property, forcing isolation from family, friends, or school or work. More subtle emotionally abusive behaviors include insults,putdowns, arbitrary and unpredictable behavior, and gaslighting (e.g. the denial that previous abusive incidents occurred). Modern technology has led to new forms of abuse, by text messaging and online cyber-bullying which is rampant now days.
Have you faced anything like that listed above, speak up and speak out, your life is more important than silence.
