Emotional Abuse

I am currently reading "The Emotionally Abused Woman" by Beverly Engel to learn more about what I have been through. I found that she puts what I went through into neat little sentences that better explain what emotional abuse is.....

"First, let's define abuse. Abuse is any behavior that is designed to control and subjugate another human being through the use of fear, humiliation, and verbal or physical assaults."

"While emotional abuse is probably the most common type of abuse, until now it has received the least attention. Many women who are being emotionally abused do not even realize what is happening to them. Many suffer from the effects of emotional abuse -depression, lack of motivation, confusion, difficulty concentrating or making decisions, low self-esteem, feelings of failure, worthlessness and hopelessness, self-blame, and self-destructiveness- but do not understand what is causing these symptoms."

"Emotional abuse is like brainwashing in that it systematically wears away at the victim's self-confidence, sense of self-worth, trust in her perceptions, and self-concept. Eventually, the recipient of the abuse loses all sense of self and all remnants of personal value. Emotional abuse cuts to the very core of a person, creating scars that may be far deeper and more lasting than physical ones."

"Those who are being emotionally abused often grow to believe their abusers' accusations. The abused women do indeed become less and less productive, less motivated, less affectionate, and less sexual. And as their self-esteem plummets and their depression deepens, they also feel less loving."

"It is often difficult for a woman to admit that she is indeed being emotionally abused, particularly if she is competent and successful in all other respects."

*Aries*