Emotional Abuse
Emotional abuse occurs when someone says or does something to make you feel stupid or worthless in order to establish control. Emotional abuse includes, but is not limited to, the following:
- Name calling;
- Constant criticism;
- Using silent treatment;
- Destroying possessions;
- Jealousy;
- Humiliating or belittling you in front of others;
- Not allowing the person to have contact with family and friends;
- Blaming all relationship problems on the person;
- Humiliating or making fun of the person;
- Intimidating the person; causing fear to gain control;
- Threatening to commit suicide if the person does not cooperate; and
- Threatening to abandon the person.
Verbal Abuse
Verbal abuse occurs when someone uses language, whether spoken or written, to cause you harm. Verbal abuse includes, but is not limited to, the following:
- Unreasonably ordering around;
- Expressing negative expectations;
- Expressing distrust;
- Yelling;
- Lying;
- Name-calling;
- Insulting, swearing;
- Recalling a person’s past mistakes with intent to make the person upset;
- Threatening violence against a person or her or his family members;
- Withholding important information;
- Talking unkindly about death to a person;
- Telling a person she or he is worthless, or nothing but trouble.
