1.
EMOTIONAL ABUSE
HOW
is wrecking your
MENTAL HEALTH
THE DEFINITION
Emotional abuse happens when a person uses words or
actions to control, frighten or isolate someone or take
away their self-respect. Emotional abuse is sometimes
called psychological abuse.
WHO'S AFFECTED?
It's estimated that around 36% of people
suffered from severe emotional abuse in
their childhoods* - but many of them
don't even realize it!
ISWHAT EMOTIONAL ABUSE?
36%
COMMON EXAMPLES
WHAT THEY DO: HOW YOU FEEL:
INVISIBLE
ASHAMED
GUILTY
INVISIBLE
BAD
STUPID
insult
scream
yell
THREATEN
IGNORE YOU
tell you that 'you're the
only one who has this
problem'
HUMILIATE
MOCK
EXCESSIVELY CRITICISE
Always have the last word
Never apologize
BLAME YOU
Deny their
abusive
behaviour
NO TOLERANCE
Judge you harshly
INVALIDATE YOU
Tell you that what you think or
feel doesn't matter
DEPRESSED
WHO'S DOING IT?
INTIMIDATE
WORTHLESS
CONTROLLED
SCARED
Sorry!
DUNCE
Mom
Dad
Sibling
Spouse
Friend
Boss
Every time someone treats you in
a way that makes you feel
threatened, ignored, invalidated,
worthless, invisible, demeaned or
stupid, they are emotionally
abusing you.
HOW CAN YOU STOP IT?
Stop making excuses for it.
Learn how to strengthen your own mental and
emotional health.
Put proper boundaries in place to
protect yourself.
You can buy these,
and other books by
Rivka Levy, on
it.
This is a spade!
Learn more at:
www.spiritualselfhelp.org
HOW CAN YOU STOP IT?
* References
Besharov, D. J. (1990). Recognizing child abuse: A guide for the concerned. New York: The Free Press.
Garbarino, J., & Garbarino, A. (1994). Emotional maltreatment of children. Chicago: National Committee to Prevent Child Abuse, 2nd Ed.
Glaser, D. (2002, June). Emotional abuse and neglect (psychological maltreatment): A conceptual framework. Child Abuse & Neglect, 26, 697-714.
Pecora, P., Whittaker, J., Maluccio, A., and Barth, R. (2000). The child welfare challenge. New York: Aldine de Gruyter.
Resources
Dubowitz, H., and DePanfilis, D. (Eds.). (2000). Handbook for child protection practice. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc.
Feild, T., and Winterfeld, A. (2003). Guidelines on abuse—Emotional abuse. Tough problems, tough choices: Guidelines for needs-based service planning in child
welfare. Englewood, CO: American Humane and Casey Outcomes and Decision-Making Project.