5 Signs of Emotion Abuse and Manipulation in a Relationship

Unfortunately, if you know someone or you yourself are in a relationship with a partner who is cunning, pathological liar, narcissistic, abusive and/or you may not know what you’re dealing with.

Emotional abuse is a form of abuse in which a partner uses verbal assault, fear, or humiliation to undermine the other person's self-esteem and self-worth. Emotional abuse, in reality, can be said worse than physical abuse. Physical abuse can easily be identified by self and by others and generally gets cured with medication whereas emotional abuse leaves no physical marks but destroys the victim’s emotional and psychological well-being, sometimes permanently.

Hence it’s very important that everyone should know the signs of emotional abuse, essentially to understand such situations if ever happens to us or to our loved ones. Eminent Relationship and Marriage Counsellor Shivani Misri Sadhoo shares the signs of emotional abuse as:

Frequent accusations and blame game: If one partner always tries to shift the responsibility and holds another person responsible for their relationship degradation and the rise of issues. The abusive partner hence frequently will use phrases like: “It’s your fault.” What’s wrong with you?” “You didn’t remind me.” “Nothing I do is ever enough.”

Ignoring and silent treatment is too frequent and a common behavior: One partner shows repeated behavior of refusing to listen and ignoring their partner’s questions, withholding eye contact and gives “silent treatment.”

Such an act is generally been used to conceal information about where he/she is going, when he/she is coming back, about financial resources and bill payments etc. Gradually such behavior is added with withholding approvals, appreciation, affection, information, thoughts and feelings to corner and control the victim

Contradicting: The abusive partner disapproves and opposes the victim’s thoughts, perceptions or their experiences of life itself. No matter what the victim may say, the abuser uses contradicting arguments to frustrate the victim and wears him/her down.

Disparaging humor: Verbal abuse is often disguised as jokes. The abuser teases, ridicules, and humiliates the victim with sarcastic remarks about his/her appearance, personality, abilities, and values. The abuser makes fun of their partner in front of friends and family because the abuser knows that victim will avoid a public confrontation.

Judging and criticizing: The abuser frequently uses harsh and unfair criticism in an effort to make the victim feel unreasonable and guilty.

Remember a healthy, non-abusive relationship is built on support, admiration, empathy, balance, and personal responsibility. These elements add up to a love built on mutual respect. If your relationship feels more abusive than loving, seek help from a therapist.

About the Author: Marriage Counsellor & Relationship Expert Shivani Misri Sadhoo is a certified Relationship counsellor and a certified Neuro Linguistic Practitioner with specialised training and experience in the fields of Relationship issues (communication, co-dependency, conflicts, couple counselling (affairs/betrayals, trust issues, difficulty communicating, conflicting values) Bereavement, grief and loss (affairs, separation, divorce, childhood) Mental health Issue (anxiety, social anxiety, fear, depression, low mood) Work issues (assertiveness, stress, feeling dissatisfied, anger, career change) Life events and transitions (leaving home, job change, retirement), Child and adolescent issues etc. Visit http://www.saarthicounsellingservices.com for more details & for an appointment.