What is emotional abuse?
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Have you ever felt like someone is always putting you down, controlling you, or making you feel worthless? Hopefully not – but if you have, you may have experienced emotional abuse.
Emotional abuse happens when someone repeatedly uses words, actions, or manipulation to hurt or control another person. It includes bullying – both in person and online (cyberbullying) – and is often used alongside physical or sexual abuse to further break a person’s confidence and make them feel powerless. While emotional abuse is common in dating and married relationships, it can also come from friends, family members, or even colleagues.
Recognising emotional abuse is important – not just to protect yourself, but also to help others. It’s also useful to understand the signs so you don’t unintentionally harm someone else.
What counts as emotional abuse?
Emotional abuse can take many forms, including:
- Constant criticism, insults, or name-calling
- Manipulation and guilt-tripping (making you feel bad to c...
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