EMOTIONAL ABUSEHOW

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MENTAL HEALTH

THE DEFINITIONEmotional abuse happens when a person uses words or actions to control, frighten or isolate someone or take away their self-respect. Emotional abuse is sometimes

called psychological abuse.

WHO'S AFFECTED?

It's estimated that around 36% of people suffered from severe emotional abuse in their childhoods* - but many of them don't even realize it!

ISWHAT EMOTIONAL ABUSE?

36%

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WHAT THEY DO: HOW YOU FEEL:

INVISIBLE

ASHAMED

GUILTY

INVISIBLE

BAD

STUPID

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yyeellll

THREATEN

IGNORE YOU

tell you that 'you're the

only one who has this

problem'

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MMOOCCKK

EEXXCCEESSSSIIVVEELLYY CCRRIITTIICCIISSEE

Always have the last word

NNeevveerr aappoollooggiizzee

BBLLAAMMEE YYOOUU

Deny their

abusive

behaviour

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Judge you harshlyINVALIDATE YOU

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ffeeeell ddooeessnn''tt mmaatttteerrDEPRESSED

WHO'S DOING IT?

IINNTTIIMMIIDDAATTEE

WORTHLESS

CONTROLLED

SCARED

Sorry!

DUNCE

Mom

Dad

Sibling

Spouse

Friend

Boss

Every time someone treats you in a way that makes you feel

threatened, ignored, invalidated, worthless, invisible, demeaned or

stupid, they are emotionally abusing you.

HOW CAN YOU STOP IT?

Stop making excuses for it.

Learn how to strengthen your own mental and emotional health.

Put proper boundaries in place to protect yourself.

You can buy these, and other books by Rivka Levy, on

it.This is a spade!

Learn more at: www.spiritualselfhelp.org

HOW CAN YOU STOP IT?* ReferencesBesharov, D. J. (1990). Recognizing child abuse: A guide for the concerned. New York: The Free Press.Garbarino, J., & Garbarino, A. (1994). Emotional maltreatment of children. Chicago: National Committee to Prevent Child Abuse, 2nd Ed.Glaser, D. (2002, June). Emotional abuse and neglect (psychological maltreatment): A conceptual framework. Child Abuse & Neglect, 26, 697-714.Pecora, P., Whittaker, J., Maluccio, A., and Barth, R. (2000). The child welfare challenge. New York: Aldine de Gruyter.ResourcesDubowitz, H., and DePanfilis, D. (Eds.). (2000). Handbook for child protection practice. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc.Feild, T., and Winterfeld, A. (2003). Guidelines on abuse—Emotional abuse. Tough problems, tough choices: Guidelines for needs-based service planning in child welfare. Englewood, CO: American Humane and Casey Outcomes and Decision-Making Project.