Millions of people are affected by emotional abuseIt can hit both the young and the old.You can lose weight, sink into depression, or hurt yourself because of emotional abuse.You are not alone.If you want to prove that someone is abusing you, you need to show examples of the abuse, such as abusive emails or witnesses.If you have evidence that someone is being emotionally abused, contact the appropriate authorities.
Step 1: Defining emotional abuse is difficult.
Emotional abuse, also known as "psychological abuse," is any act of verbal assault, humiliation, intimidation, isolation, or confinement that degrades someone's self-worth or dignity.It can take many forms and can exist in every relationship.Like physical abuse, emotional abuse develops in cycles: the abuse builds as the abuser tries to establish dominance, then the victim expresses remorse and life returns to normal.The cycle will start up again with the abuser acting in a more extreme manner.
Step 2: Pick out abusive acts.
You can be abusive if you diminish your sense of self-worth.Abuse includes swearing or yelling name calling, mocking, and insults verbal or physical threats or intimidation isolation.
Step 3: Abuse in romantic relationships can be found.
Physical violence in a relationship is not as damaging as emotional abuse.Your self-esteem, happiness, and even your physical health are affected by emotional abuse.There are a number of signs of emotional abuse in romantic relationships.The person controlling you is the abuser.The abusive person focuses on blame and accusation.You are the victim of separation.
Step 4: There are child abuse and neglect.
Children can be abused emotionally.The child withdrawing socially is a common warning sign of being emotionally abused.A decline in school performance is what happens when the child loses self-confidence.The child wants to be loved and approved.The child suffers from headaches and stomachaches that don't have a medical cause.
Step 5: Understand the abuse of elders.
The elderly can be emotionally abused.Over half a million cases of elder abuse are reported in the United States each year.Elder abuse can be committed by anyone who cares for the elderly.There are many symptoms of emotional abuse in the elderly.They become withdrawn and shy.They experience sudden changes in their eating and sleeping habits.They want to hurt themselves or someone else.
Step 6: It's a good idea to recognize emotional abuse in the workplace.
It's a serious problem at the workplace.It's not limited to supervisors.Almost anyone can be a victim of workplace harassment.If you have trouble sleeping at night and are obsessed with work, you may be the victim of workplace bully.You come home from work and it's lifeless.You may suspect that you brought the abuse on yourself if you admit to your loved ones that they are being bullied.Some of your co-workers are afraid to work with you.Your boss expects perfect performance from you if you don't offer adequate training or supervision.
Step 7: A journal is a must have.
A journal is a good way to record emotional abuse.Write down the details of the abuse, the date, and how it made you feel.The names of any witnesses should be noted.Writing a journal is an effective defense mechanism against emotional abuse.You should not leave the journal lying around.The journal could be found by the abuser if you live with him.You could keep a digital journal instead of keeping a clothbound one.You can store your notes on your phone or laptop.Password protected electronic devices make it harder to find your notes.
Step 8: Abused communications can be preserved.
You should keep any letter, email, note, or voicemail that the abuser uses abusive language.You can use this evidence to establish the abuser's behavior.If you live with an abuser, you should see if a trusted friend or family member holds onto the communications.
Step 9: It's a good idea to go to the doctor.
Physical symptoms of emotional abuse include anxiety, weight loss, high blood pressure, depression, and heart disease.The presence of emotional abuse symptoms will increase your ability to prove it at a later date.Tell your doctor about it.Your doctor can make a note in your medical records if you report it.The physical and emotional effects of emotional abuse can be seen in a copy of your medical reports.If you think a child or elderly adult is being emotionally abused, you can inform the doctor.The doctor can talk to the patient.
Step 10: Ask the abuse victims what's going on.
If you document emotional abuse, you can prove it.If you were the victim, you would write down the dates of the abuse and the substance of it.People might not tell someone else that they are being abused.The elderly may feel embarrassed that they are powerless.Children may be afraid that they will be believed by the abuser.Asking people what they are feeling will put them at ease.They can open up with this strategy.
Step 11: Share your feelings with people you care about.
If you are experiencing emotional abuse, you should let someone know.It is difficult to admit that you are in an abusive relationship.A witness can confirm your history of abuse.You can find someone you trust.You may be afraid of physical violence.You don't want the person you confide in to tell other people.In that situation, the abuser could find out that you have been complaining about him or her.
Step 12: Determine the correct authorities.
To effectively deal with emotional abuse, you need to report it to the authorities.The authority depends on the abuse.If someone is suffering extreme emotional abuse, you should call the police.If you know a child is being emotionally abused, you might want to contact Child Protective Services.
Step 13: Call the police if you need them.
If the emotional abuse has gotten to the point where the person feels frightened or sick, then you should call the police.An older person being emotionally abused by a legal guardian can only be extricated by the police.
Step 14: Call Child Protective Services.
If a child is being emotionally abused by an adult in the house, you should report it to your local child protective services office.You can find the office by calling the Childhelp hotline.You may be asked to provide information about your relationship to the child, home address, and location of the suspected abuser, as well as the names of other witnesses.
Step 15: If you suspect elder abuse, report it to Adult Protective Services.
Each state should have an agency.You can find the number in your state by calling it.The Eldercare Locator can be found at https://eldercare.acl.gov/Public/Index.aspx.If you know of any medical problems, such as dementia, you should provide the following information: the elder person's name, address, and contact information, as well as the reasons why you suspect emotional abuse.
Step 16: Contact human resources to report workplace harassment.
A grievance process should be in place for your company.Check your handbook.If you can't find what you're looking for, contact Human Resources and ask for a meeting.You could work for a small company that doesn't have a Human Resources department.You should talk to the business owner if you're being harassed by your coworkers.If your boss is a bully, you will have no choice but to quit your job.
Step 17: Send your documentation.
You should give the proof of the abuse to the appropriate authorities.You can provide copies of abusive communications.You can give the authorities the names of witnesses or give copies of your medical records.