In some cases, verbal or domestic abuse is something physical and visible – potentially triggering physical injury. But, sometimes, it is less obvious. This means that identifying verbal abuse is not always easy.
5 Signs of Verbal Abuse in Your Relationship:
Your partner makes you feel worthless
Insults and offensive language are obvious signs of verbal abuse. However, they’re not the only routes your partner may take to impact your sense of self and your thought patterns. Your abusive partner may offhandedly tell you that you do everything wrong.
Moreover, verbal abuse may be the absence of verbalizing. Your partner may use the “silent treatment” to overlook your own needs, making you feel as though you aren’t worth it.
Also, they may humiliate you in front of family and friends or threaten to withhold affection or attention as punishment. You should do your best to remove yourself from such situations. Try to be positive about yourself as well as seek refuge and validation from supportive family members and friends.
They gaslight you
Gaslighting is a kind of manipulation used to make victims question their own sanity and themselves. In case your partner gaslights you, they may tell you that you are imagining things or making up stories or tell you blatant lies. It’s a dangerous and exhausting manipulation tactic that may take place and grow over time. It may not be something that you realize at first.
You feel you are too sensitive or that you do everything wrong from time to time; but in case you always second-guess yourself as your abusive partner questions your point of view, you are probably the victim of gaslighting. Remember that you are not always wrong and ask somebody you trust for their objective opinion of the situation.
They force you to do things you do not want to do
Coercion is a type of verbal abuse that’s not easily recognizable. Your coercive partner may make you believe that you owe them favors due to your relationship. If so, you need to look at the situation objectively as well as remember that your first obligation is to your safety and yourself. In case your partner forces you to have sex or pushes you to do things you do not want to do, remember that you should not let them do anything, which may go against your personal comfort level.
They threaten or intimidate you
You shouldn’t ignore or accept any acts of intimidation or threats from your partner. You shouldn’t be in a position in which they make you feel unsafe and unloved.
In case your partner traps you in your home; looks at you or acts in ways that scare you; follows or stalks you; or damages your things by hitting, throwing, or kicking when they’re angry, you must seek help from somebody you trust.
They diminish your independence
Signs of manipulation and verbal abuse may start off subtly. In the beginning, it might not seem weird that your partner is jealous when you are with family members or friends, but in case they stop you from leaving the house without them, you must step back as well as assess the situation.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline notes that a verbally abusive partner may also monitor your goings and comings. They may tell you what you can wear and when you can or can’t leave the house. They may also diminish your independence in other ways, like through controlling your money or overriding your choices. A bank account or sharing funds is one thing, but they shouldn’t take your money from you or make all your financial choices.