EMOTIONAL ABUSEHOW
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MENTAL HEALTH
THE DEFINITIONEmotional 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%
CCOOMMMMOONN EEXXAAMMPPLLEESS
WHAT THEY DO: HOW YOU FEEL:
INVISIBLE
ASHAMED
GUILTY
INVISIBLE
BAD
STUPID
insultscream
yyeellll
THREATEN
IGNORE YOU
tell you that 'you're the
only one who has this
problem'
HHUUMMIILLIIAATTEE
MMOOCCKK
EEXXCCEESSSSIIVVEELLYY CCRRIITTIICCIISSEE
Always have the last word
NNeevveerr aappoollooggiizzee
BBLLAAMMEE YYOOUU
Deny their
abusive
behaviour
NNOO TTOOLLEERRAANNCCEE
Judge you harshlyINVALIDATE YOU
TTeellll yyoouu tthhaatt wwhhaatt yyoouu tthhiinnkk oorr
ffeeeell ddooeessnn''tt mmaatttteerrDEPRESSED
WHO'S DOING IT?
IINNTTIIMMIIDDAATTEE
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?* ReferencesBesharov, 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.ResourcesDubowitz, 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.
