Emotional Abuse is a Key Component of Narcissistic Abuse
by: Todd Doyle, International Author of Healing the Shattered: Surviving Narcissistic Abuse
Emotional abuse is a form of abuse that involves the manipulation and exploitation of the victim’s emotions in order to control and dominate them. Emotional abuse can take many forms, such as verbal abuse, psychological manipulation, and manipulation of the victim’s reality, and it can have serious and long-lasting effects on the victim’s mental health and well-being.
Emotional abuse is often a key component of narcissistic abuse, as narcissistic individuals are characterized by their lack of empathy, their inflated sense of self-importance, and their tendency to manipulate and exploit others for their own gain. Narcissistic individuals may use emotional abuse as a way to control and dominate their victims and to keep them emotionally invested in the relationship.
Some common tactics used by narcissistic individuals in the context of emotional abuse include:
Verbal abuse: This includes yelling, shouting, berating, or belittling the victim in order to demean and control them.
Psychological manipulation: This includes tactics such as gaslighting, triangulation, and blame shifting, which are designed to manipulate the victim’s reality and to keep them confused and off-balance.
Manipulation of the victim’s reality: This includes manipulating the victim’s perceptions, thoughts, and emotions in order to control and dominate them.
Emotional abuse can have serious and long-lasting effects on the victim, including:
Low self-esteem and self-worth
Difficulty trusting your own perceptions and thoughts
Difficulty setting boundaries or asserting yourself
A constant need for approval and validation
Feeling isolated or disconnected from others
Difficulty making decisions
Depression, anxiety, or other mental health issues
If you suspect that you or someone you know is experiencing emotional abuse in the context of a narcissistic abusive relationship, it is important to seek help and support. It is important to recognize that the abuse is not your fault and that you deserve to be treated with respect and kindness. It is also important to seek help from a trusted friend or family member, a mental health professional, or a domestic violence resource center. Remember that no one deserves to be abused, and it is never too late to seek help and to break the cycle of abuse.
