Childhood emotional abuse is one of the most pervasive and least recognized kinds of abuse in our society. This type of abuse is an often misunderstood form of trauma that can cause damage to a child’s developing brain, leading to long-term learning difficulties, problematic behaviors, and increased incidences of physical and mental health issues. The emotional abuse of children may be the most damaging form of maltreatment, affecting their emotional and physical health as well as their social and cognitive development. Think about your childhood, as you read through the following signs of emotional abuse.
Past & Present
- Making the person feel worthless
- Putting the blame for one’s mistakes on the other person
- Minimizing the other person’s point of view
- Threatening or hinting of physical or sexual abuse
- Going into fits of rage and anger
- Failing to fulfill commitments or promises made or implied
- Lying to avoid responsibility for the truth
- Refusing to acknowledge the other person’s feelings
- Verbally or physically humiliating the other person through inappropriate gestures, comments, or “jokes”
- Using shame or guilt to manipulate the actions of the other person
- Not allowing the other person to articulate his or her feelings
- Denying the person access to his or her personal possessions or pets
- Withholding financial resources
- Refusing to communicate with the other person – the silent treatment
- Displaying extreme ranges of mood
- Making conditional agreements in which the conditions keep changing to avoid fulfilling the agreement
- Using a hostile or sarcastic tone of voice with the other person
- Being critical of each action, thought, remark of the other person
- Viewing others as a part of that person’s own personality as opposed to individuals with their own thoughts, feelings, and opinions
- Belittling, humiliating, marginalizing, and/or ignoring the other person
Emotional Abuse keeps you from understanding and envisioning the person you were created to be. Whether you have been abused by words, actions, or even indifference, I can show you how to overcome the past. Please don’t continue to suffer in silence. Call today to begin your journey of healing.
