From Blaming to Neglecting: Signs you are being emotionally abused

Abuse

Abuse isn’t always physical or evident. You don’t need to have visible “proof” someone is causing you harm. Emotional abuse occurs when someone uses words and nonviolent behaviors to exert power and control over you. isn’t always physical or evident. You don’t need to have visible “proof” someone is causing you harm. Emotional abuse occurs when someone uses words and nonviolent behaviors to exert power and control over you.

Shaming

Shaming is any action or word intended to make you feel ashamed of being you. Shaming can make you feel in the wrong for your thoughts or actions.

Blaming

Emotionally abusive blaming can take the form of “flipping the switch,” or suddenly blaming you for someone else’s behaviors or reactions.

Criticizing

Criticism that’s cruel or isn’t constructive may be emotionally abusive. Interrupting you mid-conversation to say you don’t know when to shut up, for example, can be a form of emotional abuse.

Guilting

Guilt can be a powerful manipulation tactic. When you feel as though you’ve let someone down, you’re not good enough, or you’re a disappointment, you may change your behavior to avoid that feeling in the future.

Humiliating

One of the more obvious forms of emotional abuse is humiliating. This may come as public embarrassment, or private behaviors that degrade you and make you feel less than human.

Ridiculing

Name-calling, mean “jokes,” and sarcasm can all be forms of abusive ridicule.

Neglecting

When your physical or emotional needs aren’t met, this can be a form of neglect. Emotional neglect might mean deliberately withholding affection, or punishing you with the silent treatment.