"... you don't have to wait for someone to treat you bad repeatedly. All it takes is once, and if they get away with it that once, if they know they can treat you like that, then it sets the pattern for the future." ― Jane Green
Abuse comes in all forms and manners. It is any behavior designed to control and oppress another person through the use of fear, humiliation, intimidation, guilt, coercion, manipulation or other means. Most people would first think of abuse to be a physical assault upon another. This type of abuse is outward and very damaging. Bruises, broken bones and even worse; physical abuse is very destructive.
But there are other forms of abuse such as verbal or emotional abuse that are just as destructive.
Verbal abuse is the use of language to hurt someone, whether it is with conscious or unconscious intent. Emotional abuse is described by Beverly Engels “as any nonphysical behavior that is designed to control, intimidate, subjugate, demean, punish, or isolate another person through the use of degradation, humiliation, or fear."
Two of the driving forces behind an abuser (consciously or not) is that of gaining dominance and control over someone else. And the types of emotional or verbal abuse happen more than one might think. The National Domestic Violence Hotline group indicates that nearly half of all women and men in the United States have experienced psychological aggression by an intimate partner in their lifetime (48.4% and 48.8%, respectively)
Maybe your wife automatically takes a viewpoint opposite yours and tells you that you are always wrong.
Maybe your husband points out your mistakes or calls you names.
Maybe you are always criticizing your child about one thing or another.
Over time, verbal attacks can and will destroy your identity and sense of self-worth.
The abuse might end if the abuser makes a personal commitment and willingness to change behavior with counseling and therapy. Those suffering verbal abuse may attempt to seek help through counseling, treatment, and support from an extended network. However, neither abuser or abused call for assistance until the abuse has reached a dangerous level.
Do you have the slightest thought that you might are being abusive to someone or ar the target of abuse? If so, take a moment and contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline. talk it out with them. They have many different resources to help you.
You do not need to live this way. Life can and will be better if you start doing something about it today.
Stay inspired my friends!
