Introduction

Emotional abuse is both the most widespread and yet it is also the least understood of any type of abuse. Emotional abuse knows no bounds, it is practiced at every level of society and no one group is exempt from it. It is often dismissed because there are no visible wounds such as in physical or sexual abuse. And yet, in certain ways it is also the most debilitating of all because it involves playing games with the victims mind. The damage from emotional abuse it is done internally, it leaves it scars on the heart and soul of the victim. Emotional abuse occurs when a person methodically lessens the value of another person. The abuser may be doing this intentional, subconsciously or both, but it is a process that does not involve a single event. It is carried out over a period of time. It is a strategy which is used to reduce a persons self-concept to the point where they consider themselves undeserving, of respect, friendship and even love. Emotional abuse can be active where the person is humiliated by being told they are stupid, ugly, fat or any other type of names that may be used to put a person down. Neglect is also a form of Emotional abuse. It is usually referred to as a passive form. In most case both the active and passive form of abuse are used. Emotional abuse is threatening to because a national illness. The acceptance of offensive, heartless and cruel jokes that are used against others in the form of "entertainment" seems to have made emotional abuse permissible in society. The after effects from emotional abuse often makes it the most inhuman and long lasting form of abuse. One thing we must remember also is that emotional abuse often leads to physical and sexual abuse as well. One last point is that anyone who has suffered from physically or sexually abuse has also been emotional abused as well. Emotional abuse is always entwined with every other form of abuse.

Statistical Information

There are no actual statistics on the number of people who have suffered from emotional abuse. It is a known fact though that more women are emotional abused than both physically and sexually. This has been proven because of the fact the physically/sexually abused women are also abused emotionally and then there are others who have only been abused emotionally.

Emotional Abuse

Emotional abuse is far more extensive and complex than any other form of abuse. As in the other forms of abuse, this is also a means of gaining power and control over a person. Although there are no outward scars from this type of abuse, it is just as serious and harmful as physical and sexual abuse. Emotional abuse causes just as much pain and damage to the victim. The only differences in the type of abuse are the type of weapon which the abuser choses to use. In many cases the results of emotional abuse are more complex requiring the victim to expend more energy and time for the healing process to succeed. With emotional abuse it seems that the more time passes the deeper the scars are etched into the mind and the harder it is to heal. Society is inclined to believe that victims of emotional abuse do not need as much assistance as those suffering from other abuse, when in actuality they require more therapy. Because emotional abuse is a repetitive action that occurs often, it is used in most cases to make the victim feel guilty. Most victims of abuse are marked by deep, pervasive sadness, they have an extremely low self-worth and are incapable of engaging and bonding with others. Many victims are always seeking the approval of love of others which in return makes them more prone to become involved in abusive relationships. Many women who are emotionally abused function favourably in the work place and show no signs of the helplessness and victimization which they suffer at home. It often seems that the victim is programmed to fail. Consequently they end up belittling themselves and are not capable of seeing their own qualities only their faults. Another form of emotional abuse is making the victims of physical and sexual abuse feel they are responsible for the abusive actions against them. That they are the one at fault. The "entertainment" business if filled with many stand-up comics, who get their laughs by belittling others, using cruel and offensive language when speaking of people. They make it appear acceptable and amusing to attack others with vicious quips and that there is nothing wrong in behaving in this manner. The unfortunate part of this is that society embraces this behavior which allows emotional abuse to continue and thrive. Most emotional abuse occurs in private. The abuser is inclined to hide his actions from public view. They present a very different personality when seen in public than in the privacy of their own homes. Communication of any kind that is laced with severe orders, threats or insults are a sure way to destroy a relationship and is also considered a form of emotional abuse. Because emotional abuse appears in many patterns and so many different facades, the solution to identifying the problems is through recognition.

Long Term Effects of Emotional Abuse

Healing from Emotional Abuse

Is there hope for someone who has been Emotional abused for years? Can a person overcome their feelings of inadequacy? Yes, there is help. It is a slow process and can be very painful, but, there is hope for the person who reaches out to receive it. The most viable form of help is self-help. You have to learn to develop your own standards, deciding for yourself what "goodness" really is. Victims of emotional abuse carry the cures in their own hearts and souls. Salvation means learning self-respect, earning the respect of others and making that respect the absolutely irreducible minimum requirement for all intimate relationships. Forgiveness is a key element in any part of healing. For the emotional abused one of the most important aspects of "forgiveness" is in learning to forgive themselves. Remember you deserve to be loved and respected and empowering yourself with a commitment to try is half the battle. You are not alone in this battle, turn your problems over to God and ask for his help. Allow him to take the pain from you so that once again you can learn to live life to the fullest. Let him show you how to love and trust in others once more. For with God all is possible.