Mentally Abusive Relationships - Signs and Advice
Mentally abusive relationships are just plain wrong, and yet very common.
Instead of becoming your soul mate and joy, your partner hurts you and tries to break your spirit.
Below are listed three distinct signs to help you spot a mentally abusive relationship, and five good tips for mental abuse recovery.
Signs of Mental Abuse
Hurtful Words
Words have the power to heal or hurt. Even though hurtful words don't leave any physical damage, they cause emotional harm, which should not be underestimated.
If your partner calls you "worthless", "stupid", or "ugly", it hurts. With time, you may "get used" to it, and start to believe it's true. And it's not true right, RIGHT? ;)
By lowering your self-esteem and self-worth, a mentally abusive partner tries to boost their own feeling of self-worth. They try to rise by pulling you down.
Unjust Blame
Both partners in a couple need to accept responsibility for their words and actions. This essential aspect is often lacking in abusive relationships.
An abusive partner tries to shift their responsibility onto you, making you carry an unjust load.
The abuser will often blame the victim for everything that happens, including the mental abuse.
Shaky Emotional State
If the sudden mood shifts in your partner make you feel insecure, fearful, and anxious, it is a sign of a controll-based relationship.
Creating a shaky emotional state helps the mental abuser to control you and to feel more powerful. I just hope you did nothing to cause this shift.
People can cause other people mood shifts with time. The mood shift may not be right, but things can be understood, all according on what's the shift and what was the cause.
Advice for Mental Abuse Recovery
Look into mental abuse recovery programs where professionals will guide you through your journey to gradual healing.
If you have ended a mentally abusive relationship, avoid subsequent abusive relationships.
Believe in yourself.
Try to spend more time with the people who understand your feelings and would boost your self-esteem.
Remember: the abuse may had nothing to do with you. I say may had, because it takes two to tango. You may just simply have been manipulated and brainwashed by the abuser.
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