Emotional Abuse: Short And Long-term Consequences

Emotional abuse is a type of aggression that has very harmful consequences for the victim: Depression or even suicidal thoughts are not uncommon. Therefore, this kind of abuse must also be reported as physical abuse. 

Emotional abuse  may not be as obvious as physical abuse. But the consequences are just as bad as physical violence. However, many people still find it difficult to view this emotional abuse as abuse or violence. 

Emotional abuse

Today we speak of a type of abuse that  one person inflicts on another and can usually be recognized by the following behavioral patterns:

• Behavior and words aimed at humiliating and disparaging the victim
• Insults and abuse
• Disapproval and censure
• Isolation of the victim
• disqualification

Both physical and emotional abuse are a type of violence. Emotional aggression is usually expressed verbally, with the perpetrator trying to humiliate, disapprove and disapprove of the victim.

Since this type of aggression is usually not that obvious, in many cases it occurs over a longer period of time. This lowers the victim’s self-esteem. In some cases, this even goes so far that the victim agrees with the perpetrator.

Psychological abuse has no preferences. Children, young people, adults or the elderly can be victims. This aggression is not limited to specific areas, it can occur in family, among friends, in a relationship, at work, etc.

There may also be witnesses who are aware of the emotional abuse. In this way, children can observe their parents’ behavior or colleagues can find out about the boss’s abuse of an employee. In these cases the emotional health of the witness is also at stake.

Emotional abuse and its consequences

In many cases, the consequences of emotional abuse are invisible. Because of this, it is very difficult to recognize them,  even by the person concerned. 

Low self-esteem

Low self-esteem can be both a cause and a consequence of the emotional abuse. The perpetrator can feel motivated by this and begin the abuse through which he succeeds in lowering the victim’s self-esteem even more.

The victim’s weakness attracts perpetrators. They then attack their victim where it hurts the most. For example, they keep repeating that the sacrifice is worthless and humiliating it. At the same time, the victim believes his perpetrator and there is even greater dependence.

Stress and anxiety

Individuals who are emotionally abused suffer from intense stress and anxiety. This is mainly due to the fact that they are unable to see what is really going on. Often they are not aware that they are being exploited and that the perpetrator’s behavior is unacceptable.

Guilt

As mentioned earlier,  the victim suffers from very low self-esteem and has a poor self-image,  which is compounded by the aggressors of the perpetrator. In many cases, this is why the victim blames himself for what happened to him. It can justify the abuse and blame itself.

The perpetrator  encourages this feeling (especially in a couple relationship). We are talking about emotional blackmail in this case. 

Further effects

In some cases, the effects of emotional abuse are far more critical than what has been described so far in this article. This can also cause the following problems:

• Depression: Depression can develop as a result of long-term emotional abuse and a lack of self-esteem.
• Thoughts of suicide:  It is an extreme case, but it keeps coming back. In this context, we must not forget the consequences of bullying.

• Drug or alcohol abuse:  These substances can help the victim distance themselves from reality and endure the emotional abuse by denying that reality.
• Aggression:  Anger and anger accumulate and can lead to aggressiveness. This can develop into a serious problem in adolescence or adulthood, especially with affected children.
• Difficulties in relationships with other people:  The abuse, lack of self-esteem, and lack of trust can make the victim unable to develop relationships with others. We often speak of emotional ostracism.

For all of these reasons  , emotional abuse must be viewed as a very harmful aggression that needs to be treated like physical abuse. It is important to set boundaries and move away from toxic people. Any abuse must be reported.

In the case of children and adolescents, parents or those responsible need to be vigilant in order to identify possible forms of emotional abuse as quickly as possible and thus prevent the worst consequences.

Not only physical abuse, also emotional abuse must be reported. Then the process of processing and therapy begins so that the victim can regain their self-esteem and self-confidence.