Verbal Abuse - Emotional Abuse

Emotional abuse occurs when a person uses words or actions to make another person think less of himself or herself. It may be accompanied by physical abuse or sexual abuse.

What is going on in the body?

Emotional abusers control their victims in these ways:

What are the causes and risks of the condition?

Emotional abuse usually occurs when one person wants power and control over another person. Emotional abuse can affect any age or gender. While there is no one type of person who is at risk for abuse, certain factors do put some people at greater risk. These risk factors are as follows:

What are the signs and symptoms of the condition?

Unlike physical abuse, emotional abuse may not have clear outward signs or symptoms. It is much harder to detect. Victims of this type of abuse often have these symptoms:

How is the condition diagnosed?

Since emotional abuse doesn't always leave visible scars or bruises, it can be hard to diagnose. In fact, sometimes the victims don't even see it. They may not feel good about themselves or their relationships, but they don't connect it with how their abusers treat them.

Sometimes, a third person will witness the abuse and recognize it right away or over time. Healthcare workers also may be able to diagnose the abuse if they ask the victim the right questions without the abuser being present.

What can be done to prevent the condition?

Friends, neighbors, and family members need to ask directly about signs of possible abuse. Talking to the victim and being supportive can make the victim feel less isolated. Showing concern lets the victim know that there is someone to turn to if he or she wants help.

Everyone should know what resources are available for abuse victims within their community. This can be done by reading books and articles on abuse. It's also important to support and promote training and education on recognizing and addressing emotional abuse.

What are the long-term effects of the condition?

Emotional abuse can destroy the victim's self-esteem so that he or she feels unworthy of love, respect, or friendship.

What are the risks to others?

It is hard for someone with such low esteem to have healthy relationships with others. In addition, victims of abuse sometimes become abusers themselves.

What are the treatments for the condition?

The ultimate goal is for victims to reestablish their lives without the abusers and to get counseling that will help them deal with the emotional scars.

The best thing a third person such as a doctor, friend, neighbor, or family member can do is be supportive no matter what the victim chooses. The victim can't be rescued. He or she needs to be the one to make the decision to leave the abuser.

If the victim wants help, assist him or her in finding a safe place to stay. It could be the home of a friend or relative or an emergency shelter. Keep in mind that people who are emotionally abusive can be violent, even if they haven't caused physical harm in the past.

Individual psychotherapy and group therapy are very important. The victim needs to realize that he or she has value as a person. And he or she needs to learn how to recognize abuse. Talking to people with similar experiences can be helpful. The victim needs to heal mentally so that he or she is less likely to enter into another abusive relationship.

What are the side effects of the treatments?

The abused person may have to move out of his or her home and find other living arrangements.

What happens after treatment for the condition?

If the emotionally abused person has moved from his or her home, permanent arrangements may have to be made. The person may be able to return to his or her home if the abuser has gotten help and is not likely to continue to be abusive.

How is the condition monitored?

The victim may not be able to monitor the abuse because he or she may not recognize it when it happens. A family member or friend may help to monitor emotional abuse.

Author:Elizabeth Smith, BA
Date Written:
Editor:Crist, Gayle P., MS, BA
Edit Date:08/17/02
Reviewer:Gail Hendrickson, RN, BS
Date Reviewed:08/22/01

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