Emotional abuse and substance abuse have a complex and often co-occurring relationship. Victims of this type of abuse are also at an exceptionally high risk of developing mental health conditions like depression and anxiety linked with substance use disorders (SUDs). Contact Northpoint Recovery today at 208.486.0130 to learn more about our mental health therapy programs and how they can help you or a loved one overcome emotional abuse.
11 Tips for Overcoming Emotional Abuse
1. Familiarize Yourself with What Constitutes Emotional Abuse
No matter what type of emotional abuse you may be experiencing, the vital thing to recognize is that these are tactics used to make you feel worthless and make the abuser feel better about themselves.
2. Recognize the Qualities of a Healthy Relationship
Many people have a hard time recognizing the signs, either because they aren’t sure of what constitutes abuse or simply in a state of denial. One of the best emotional abuse tests is comparing the qualities of your relationship with that of a healthy one. Here are a few characteristics of a healthy relationship:
- You and your partner can both deal with conflicts without threats or despair.
- You and your partner do not lash out upon receiving criticism.
- You and your partner can say “no” to specific requests.
- You and your partner openly express feelings.
- You and your partner willingly and shamelessly share your needs.
If none of these characteristics describe your relationship, you may be the victim of emotional abuse.
3. Know That It Is Not Okay
Many victims find themselves making excuses for their partner’s abusive actions. They may say to themselves that they deserve to be treated this way, or they may have convinced themselves that they are too in love to do anything about it. But no one deserves to be subjected to any form of physical or emotional abuse at any time.
4. Understand That Abuse Is a Cycle
Much like the cycle of addiction, emotional and physical abuse can be perpetuated repeatedly in a cyclical fashion that consists of four distinct phases: tension, incident, reconciliation, and calm.
5. Reach Out to Family and Friends
Social connections can be miracle workers for breaking the self-destructive thought processes that result from isolation and loneliness—a few typical symptoms of emotional abuse.
6. Seek the Guidance of a Professional
If you are feeling especially lost or just need to know you aren’t going crazy, there are a variety of resources you can use to help you plan out your next steps.
7. Stand Up for Yourself
If you show your emotional abuser that you are willing to stand up for yourself, you may be surprised at how quickly the relationship dynamic can change.
8. Be Confident
Maintain eye contact, keep an even tone of voice, and try as hard as possible to keep your emotions from getting the best of you. If you act confident in the face of their emotional abuse and keep your cool, it’ll be more challenging for your abuser to hurt you.
9. Keep in Mind the Reasons Why Their Behavior Is Not Appropriate
Let them know that their comments are hurtful and cause a toxic relationship destined to fail. Tell them that people who care for each other do not go out of their way to hurt one another.
10. Know That It’s Not Your Fault
Emotional abuse is a disorder of the abuser, not the victim. While it may be impossible to imagine right now, forgiving your abuser can be one of the most healing decisions you can ever make.
11. Find Things That Make You Happy
Staying positive is one of the best ways to recover from emotional abuse. Think of this new time in your life as a kind of rehabilitation and practice habits of happy people in recovery.
Work on Emotional Abuse Recovery at Northpoint Recovery in Idaho
By using these tips for overcoming emotional abuse, you can start down the path to a healthier and happier life. Contact Northpoint Recovery in Idaho at 208.486.0130 to learn more tips to overcome emotional abuse.