Emotional abuse is something that most victims don't even realize is already happening to them. Emotional abuse doesn't leave any physical scars or injuries, but the effects it can have on a person's psyche can be very devastating.
What is emotional abuse?
According to Beverly Engel, author of The Emotionally Abusive Relationship, emotional abuse can be described as "nonphysical behavior or attitude that controls, intimidates, subjugates, demeans, punishes or isolates another person by using degradation, humiliation or fear."
Basically, it's any type of nonphysical behavior that hurts another persons feelings and makes them feel that they're less of a person.
The scary thing about emotional abuse is that there aren't always any obvious outward signs of it. You might see a couple that seems sweet and loving, but in reality, the wife might be suffering from emotional abuse at the hands of her husband.
What can wives do about an emotionally abusive husband?
If you find yourself in a position where you're suffering from emotional abuse by your husband, either intentional or unintentional, it's important that you do something about it. Emotional abuse isn't something that you should just let go, as it can have long term effects on your mental health, and it can even escalate to physical abuse later on.
If you're suffering from emotional abuse, the first thing to do would be to be honest to yourself and accept the truth that you're a victim of emotional abuse. Being aware that you're a victim of abuse would help you try and work out what you can do in order to stop being a victim.
It's also important to seek professional help if you're suffering from emotional abuse. It's not always something that you can deal with alone, so you will need the help of someone who would be able to help you with therapy so that you can start the healing process.
Having a support group is also very important. These are people whom you trust, and who will support you while you try to heal from the emotional abuse that you've suffered in your marriage.
Mend your relationship. This is probably the most difficult part of dealing with emotional abuse. It's not easy to tell you husband that he's been emotionally abusing you, and you might also be tempted to just leave him because of the abuse you've suffered. However, if you think that your marriage can still be salvaged, then you should try and patch things up. Ask him to go to therapy sessions so that he can deal with his anger, and find out reason why he's been abusing you.
Lastly, forgive. Forgiveness is important since it helps you relieve yourself of the emotional baggage and stress that has been accumulating. Forgiveness doesn't mean forgetting, and forgiveness doesn't necessarily mean that all wounds are healed. It's just part of the steps, and an important one at that.
Source: focusonthefamily.com
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