Emotional Abuse - Are You a Victim?

Healthy Relationships involve trust and respect. But it is so sad to think that lots of relationships may turn abusive. You may think that there is nothing wrong because you aren't physically abused, but think again.

Emotional abuse can have devastating consequences, since it is more delicate of all abuses. It goes unseen to you, unaware that you are being abused, damaging your self-esteem. Emotional abuse is harsh, cruel and it stains your well-being.

At some point, you would be denying the situations, pretending it never occurred, even though your supportive friends encourage you to do something about it. You may have a dependent personality, afraid of rejection that you tend to stay in a harmful relationship. This stops you from entering into a new one believing they would eventually leave you once they find out how unlovable you can be. But you must realize that you have the right to be treated with respect.

These are the questions you should ask yourself to find out if you are being abused:

• Do you try to adjust yourself in situations in order you will not upset the other and ruin his mood?
• Do you do everything you can to avoid the things that triggers any fight?
• Does your partner frequently criticize, ridicule or humiliate you?
• Are you also being isolated from all supportive persons?

Controlling behavior are not signs of affection at all. If your partner keep you unaware of his plans or make plans for you, control your finances, isolate you from your supportive friends then this should alarm you.

Instead of encouraging you, an abusive partner may stop you from indulging in activities that can contribute to your well-being. You will have feelings of low self-esteem as a result of being criticized.

Your partner may also try to instill new behavior and attitudes in you that can result to lack of confidence in yourself. To make it worse, an abusive partner can withhold approval, appreciation or affection as a punishment if you do not comply to the things that he wants for you. You are desperate for love and approval and will do everything to make your partner stay in your relationship.

Does this make you powerless, intimidated and dependent to your partner?

Indeed, you fear your partner and it is not healthy anymore. If you allow these behavior, they become stronger and stronger over time. You always deserve to be yourself. If you feel that you are not being spontaneous, then you are a victim of abuse.