1. Constant criticism:
This involves being subjected to a barrage of negative comments, judgments, and nitpicking about one's appearance, abilities, or actions, which can erode self-esteem over time.
2. Verbal insults and belittling:
Emotional abusers often use hurtful language to demean their victims, making them feel small, worthless, and inadequate.
3. Isolation from friends and family:
Abusers may attempt to isolate their victims by discouraging or preventing them from maintaining healthy relationships outside the abusive dynamic.
4. Controlling behavior:
Emotional abusers exert control over various aspects of their victim's life, such as finances, daily routines, or decision-making, causing feelings of powerlessness.
5. Manipulative tactics:
These can include guilt-tripping, playing mind games, or using emotional blackmail to manipulate their victims into compliance.
6. Withholding affection or love:
Emotional abusers often withdraw affection, love, or support as a means of punishment or control, leaving their victims feeling unloved and undeserving.
7. Threats and intimidation:
This involves using fear, intimidation, or threats to maintain dominance and control over the victim.
8. Gaslighting:
Abusers manipulate reality and make their victims doubt their own perceptions, memory, and sanity, leading to confusion and self-doubt.
9. Humiliation in public or private:
Emotional abusers may publicly shame their victims or degrade them in private, causing deep emotional scars.
10. Blaming the victim:
Emotional abusers often shift blame onto their victims, making them feel responsible for the abuse they endure.
