No one is strong enough not to get affected by emotional abuse.
We may think we have what it takes to defy it, but we never truly know when will our mental health be on the verge of collapse. If the abuser has played their cards right, at the moment we finally realize we have been so ruthlessly manipulated, it is already too late and too difficult to simply walk away.
Unfortunately, emotional abuse is something we all struggle with at some point in our lives.
And the worst part is that it’s always the person we count on the most. It’s always the one we thought was trustworthy enough to keep our deepest secrets and encourage our wildest dreams. That’s exactly why we sometimes let the red flags slip away, thinking that it’s all in our heads or hoping that this person will eventually change.
The good news is that emotional abuse is something you can overcome. While there are many ways someone could violate your mental wellbeing, there are also ways in which you can heal from the damage they have caused.
Meanwhile, it’s crucial to understand that simply because your struggles are not as dreadful as someone else’s, it does not imply that the feelings and emotions you experience are not valid. We all deal with our troubles differently and make entirely distinct choices and decisions triggered by the abuse we go through. Therefore, comparing your pain to someone else’s would be irrelevant.
With that being said, there are far too many ways in which someone could play with your emotions. For instance, it could be in the form of harsh comments, constant criticism, belittling, blame-shifting, gaslighting, and many other mind-controlling tactics abusers use.
Because that’s exactly what they aim for – full control over your mind.
Their main goal is to get under your skin and find a way to trap you inside your own mind. They may not be physically hurting you, but emotional abuse is just as damaging, if not even more. It could turn out to be detrimental, as it completely changes the way you perceive the world around you. It makes you forget about all the wonderful things in your life and forces you to get caught up in a neverending loop of negative thoughts that poison your entire mentality. Only those who have already been through it would understand the massive scope of the destruction it could cause.
When you’re under someone’s toxic influence, and their words make you feel trapped, lonely, and insecure, you need to gather the courage to stand up for yourself. But have in mind that it may not happen all at once. The healing process depends on the level of damage you have experienced.
While it won’t happen overnight, once you’ve realized you need to distance yourself from that person, ask for help from those you can still rely on. In case you are not sure if you can trust anyone in your circle, seeking professional help is always an option. You need to surround yourself with people who make you feel safe and free to be yourself. The more time you spend with them, the better you will feel to open up about the abuse you have gone through. Eventually, you will be able to find the closure you so desperately long for.
Have you been a victim of emotional abuse?
How did you cope with the pain? Share your experience with us in the comment section.
