Emotional abuse is often defined in several different ways. One partner harming or breaking down another person’s self-esteem in order to achieve a certain goal (usually to gain power over the other partner or to cause psychological harm).
This can be done in many ways, such as through teasing, criticism, insults, terror, isolation, control and humiliation, and it often goes undetected until its effects have become severe.
In an emotionally abusive relationship, a person uses words, silence, gestures or behaviors which negatively affect the psychological and/or emotional well-being of another person. Like in physically abusive relationships, the goal of the abuser is to control and to have power over their partner.
Emotional abuse can start at any time in a relationship. Many abusers start relationships in a healthy manner, creating a strong bond; but once the relationship is established, they begin to mistreat their partner. The normal behavior at the beginning of a relationship creates a strong bond, and in many cases, the other partner is bewildered by this change. Oftentimes, they will stay in a relationship or choose to wait for the person they thought they knew to ‘come back.’
A person in an emotionally abusive relationship may begin to change their own behavior for fear of angering their partner. They may feel guilty, hopeless, helpless, manipulated and controlled. This situation, over time, can result in negative effects on physical and mental health.
