Any form of abuse, be it emotional, physical, mental, verbal, etc. has demoralizing and harmful effects on the person being subjected to such abuse. It’s upsetting and distressing and has long-term negative impact on a person’s perception of his/her whole being and self worth.
Some say physical abuse is a lot better than emotional abuse because the bruises or marks on the body will fade in time but emotional abuse leaves a scar on one’s self value that is difficult to heal and alter.
Emotional abuse takes many forms. It could be repeated insults or ridicule, intimidating remarks, constant criticisms and humiliation and condescending comments. The abuse is strong enough to make the abused person believed what the abuser is telling him/her, losing his/her rational sensibility to think otherwise. The overpowering effect of emotional abuse can render a person agreeing to the abuser’s accusations and declarations. An emotionally-abused person often feels rejected, dejected and unloved. And this emotional condition can last a lifetime if not acted upon.
HOW TO COPE AND OVERCOME EMOTIONAL ABUSE
We see it all the time on reality TV programs – a weak wife emotionally-abused by an alcoholic husband, a passive husband abused by a strong-willed wife. The fact is, emotional abuse is everywhere and it does not pick who the abuser and abused is. More often than not, the abuser succeeds in ruining and crushing the confidence of the abused by repeated verbal attacks. And the abused unwillingly accepts these emotional assaults. The abused is rendered powerless by the abuser and it makes complete sense that the cycle never ends for both the abuser and the abused.
Professional psychologists and psychiatrists recommend some steps found to be helpful in overcoming emotional abuse in its early stage.
- The first important step is for the abused to care about herself physically. If you treat yourself well and it manifests physically, your mind will resist any form of abuse. Keeping yourself fit gives you the confidence and self-affirmation. If you feel good about yourself you will not let anyone destroy and ruin that. A regular exercise program will definitely help you boost your self-confidence.
- Support group always provide the emotional support needed by the abused. Your support group will give you the feeling of being loved, wanted and appreciated. It keeps you from isolating yourself and not letting anyone know what is happening to you. It’s bad enough that you are abused but worst if no one knows about it but you and your abuser.
- Learn different ways of releasing anger, frustration and emotional distress. It could be by recalling instances of abuse and writing them on a journal. At the same time, you should write down the emotions that go with each abusive incident. Be honest enough to express your true feelings even if it makes you think little of yourself. This way, you are able to get all the emotions out of your head enabling you to think better and eventually recognize the abuse and realize that it should come to an end.
- The abuser always manages to get the abused feel guilty just about anything. The abused should switch this emotion off. There is nothing to be guilty about expressing your thoughts or opinion on anything. It is everyone’s inherent right and no one should tell you that you cannot voice out your thoughts.
- Be emotionally strong and don’t allow your abuser to break you inside. You should be able to tell yourself that there is a limit to your willingness to accept the emotional abuse. Convince yourself that you did nothing wrong to deserve that kind of treatment from anyone. Value and respect yourself so that others will do, too.
Always remember that no one will abuse you if you don’t allow them to abuse you.
