Emotionally abusive relationships defined
An emotionally abusive relationship is more difficult to diagnose than a physically abusive relationship quite simply because the latter doesn’t have physically apparent symptoms. In an emotionally abusive relationship symptoms could and often slowly creep in to your relationship causing you to adjust to increasing abuse without often realizing it. This is why it's very important to pay attention to abuse signs if you suspect you're in wife/husband abuse.
In an abusive relationship, the abusive partner has one traget, which you could or couldn't be aware of. And it is to control you into submitting to their desires and will. They might be causing harm when they do this, but without them being aware of it.
If you find yourself wondering whether you’re in an emotionally abusive relationship, take a moment and reflect on these common scenarios:
- You don’t feel you can freely express yourself with your partner.
- Your partner indicated the possibility of self harm if the relationship ends.
- Your partner monitors your communication activities for example your emails and text messages
- Your partner prevents you from going out on your own and might claim that this is for your own safety and security.
- It doesn't matter if you're in public, your partner is negatively critical towards you.
- Your self confidence and self esteem keeps getting lower and lower in such relationships.
These are just a few pointers on what might happen in an emotionally abusive relationship and are by no means and extensive list. If you think you might be in such a relationship, get help quick. If you don’t take immediate action there will be a risk of the relationship escalating to the physically abusive and ending up in bodily harm. Even if doesn’t escalate as such, be aware that emotionally abusive relationships can and will lead to stress, depression, post traumatic disorder and other disruptive problems.
