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What is Emotional Abuse?

Emotional abuse is one form of abuse that people can experience in a relationship. Though emotional abuse doesn’t leave physical scars, it can have a huge impact on your confidence and self-esteem. There are different types of emotional abuse which are not noticeable at first.

This might be a problem if you…feel like you are not good enough, you are afraid of your partner leaving you, you are called names by your partner or they put you down.

Many concerning relationships involve aspects of emotional abuse. The aim of emotional abuse is to chip away at a person’s feelings of self-worth and independence. In an emotionally abusive relationship, a person may feel that there is no way out of the relationship or that without their partner they will have nothing.

Emotional abuse can feel equally as destructive and damaging as physical abuse to a person’s mental health. It’s common for physically abusive relationships to also include aspects of emotional abuse as this is how power and control is maintained within the relationship.
Some types of emotional abuse can include:

Verbal – yelling, insulting or swearing at someone
Rejection – pretending not to notice someone’s presence, conversation or value
Put downs – name calling, public embarrassment, calling someone stupid, blaming them for everything
Being afraid – causing someone to feel afraid, intimidated or threatened
Isolation – limiting freedom of movement, stopping someone from contacting other people (like friends or family)
Money – controlling someone’s money, withholding money, preventing someone from working, stealing or taking money
Bullying- purposely and repeatedly saying or doing hurtful things to someone.

Though physical violence is often seen as being more serious than emotional abuse, this is not the case. The scars of emotional abuse are real and long lasting. Emotional abuse can leave a person feeling depressed, anxious and even suicidal, as well as having a negative impact on self-esteem and confidence.

If you are experiencing emotional abuse it is important for you to seek help.

What can I do now?

Learn more about different types of abuse
Talk to someone who understands abusive and violent relationships
Work on your self-confidence

​Effects of Bullying
Bullying can affect everyone—those who are bullied, those who bully, and those who witness bullying. Bullying is linked to many negative outcomes including impacts on mental health, substance use, and suicide. It is important to talk to children to determine whether bullying—or something else—is a concern.

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Children Who are Bullied
Children who are bullied can experience negative physical, emotional and mental health issues. They are more likely to experience: depression and anxiety, increased feelings of sadness and loneliness, changes in sleep and eating patterns, and loss of interest in activities they used to enjoy, health complaints, decreased academic achievement— they are more likely to miss, skip, or drop out of school. These issues may persist into adulthood.

Children Who Bully Others
Children who bully others can also engage in violent and other risky behaviors into adulthood. They are more likely to:
abuse alcohol and other drugs in adolescence and as adults, get into fights, vandalize property, and drop out of school, engage in early sexual activity, have criminal convictions as adults, be abusive toward their romantic partners, spouses, or children as adults

Children who witness bullying are more likely to
Have increased use of tobacco, alcohol, or other drugs. Have increased mental health problems, including depression and anxiety.
Miss or skip school

​​​​​​​​Effects of Sexual Assault
Sexual violence can have psychological, emotional, and physical effects on a survivor. These effects are not always easy to deal with, but with the right help and support they can be managed. Learning more can help you find the best form of care to begin the healing process.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Prolonged feelings of anxiety, stress, or fear can be a sign of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Self-Harm
Some survivors of sexual assault result to self-harm as a way to cope with difficult or painful feelings.

Flashbacks
It is possible for memories of a past trauma to feel like they are taking place in the current moment.Sexually Transmitted Infections
STIs can occur during sexual contact.

Depression
Feelings of sadness and unhappiness that have a negative impact on your life could be a sign of depression.

Substance Use
There are a number of reasons that survivors report using substances like alcohol and drugs.