5 Behaviors That Seem ‘Normal’ But Could Be Signs Of Emotional Abuse

Emotional abuse is a way to control another person by using emotions to criticize, embarrass, shame, blame, or otherwise manipulate another person. What’s more, mental or emotional abuse, while most common in dating and married relationships, can occur in any relationship including among friends, family members, and co-workers. Emotional abuse is one of the hardest forms of abuse to recognize. It can be subtle and insidious or overt and manipulative.

Either way, it chips away at the victim’s self-esteem and they begin to doubt their perceptions and reality. The underlying goal of emotional abuse is to control the victim by discrediting, isolating, and silencing.

Most teenagers do not experience physical aggression when they date. However​, for one in 10 teens, abuse is a very real part of dating .

Emotional abuse. Being forced to spend all your time with your partner, at the expense of your relationships with friends and family or activities you enjoy? Dave and Jessica have been dating for a while. More and more, Dave is pressuring Jessica into having sex with him and sending him nudes. Dave threatens to kill himself if Jessica breaks up with him.

After they break up, Dave posts the pictures Jessica sent him online, calling Jessica a slut and whore. Cally and Luis mostly communicate via text throughout the week. Luis tutors after school to earn some extra money, so he can go spend time with Cally on the weekends.