According to Wikipedia.com, it means:
"... coercion, humiliation, intimidation, relational aggression, parental alienation or covert incest: Where one person uses emotional or psychological coercion to compel another to do something they do not want, or is not in their best interests; or when one person manipulates another's emotional or psychological state for their own ends, or commits psychological aggression using ostensibly non-violent methods to inflict mental or emotional violence or pain on another."
This type of abuse occurs alone, or as a precursor to violent abuse. Either way, the damage it causes is inexcusable.
Emotional/psychological abuse, is the first and most often used weapon in a relationship, where one partner demands control of the other. Outside of causing death, it is the most damaging form of abuse, and the most stealthy.
Studies indicate that 1 in every 4 women have experienced emotional/psychological abuse, without having been physically assaulted.
Those who are
emotionally abused have no physical proof of the abuse. How do you report such things? What are you going to say to the officer on the phone, or at the door? As a result, this type of abusive treatment is not reported to police.
Psychological abuse can be so severe that the woman going through it may begin showing symptoms of
post-traumatic stress disorder, a psychological affliction affecting war veterans. This is why therapy for the victim is critical.
Many woman experience isolation from family and friends, who would provide a possible support system. Some are not permitted access to money, or employment. The combination of these two tactics tighten the noose, making escape appear impossible.
These women are continually told, by their abuser, that they are stupid, unlovable, incapable, and worthless. Nothing they do is ever good enough, and the abuser is quite vocal about it. And, as the icing on the cake, if she would just do what she's told, everything would be right with the world. Yeah right!
Emotional abuse tears down a woman's sense of self. It warps her perception of the world around her. His reality becomes her reality; she is the problem. This is some seriously profound identity theft.
The truth is that he is the problem, and she is the solution, but neither of them see it that way. She believes what she's told to believe.
Psychological abusers work to keep her off balance. If he can make her doubt herself, he wins another round. Abusers contradict themselves often, in order to make her feel as though she's really crazy. She can't function without him, if she doesn't trust her own mind.
However, as I said before... She is the solution. She can change her life; no one else can, but she often needs someone to recognize the abuse; help her see it and escape it.
What do you do when something is broken? You fix it! Now she can't fix her abuser, only he can do that. Nevertheless, she can fix her life and the circumstances in which she lives. She can seek and get support for mind, body and spirit. There are services available to her for food, shelter, legal assistance, etc.. So, if you know someone who is being abused, or if you suspect it, reach out to them. Most women who are
emotionally abused don't even realize that what they are going through is abuse.
Dear Trina,