How do I know if I am
dealing with abuse?
After a period of tension or conflict, your partner may suddenly become kind, apologetic, or overly affectionate, creating a confusing cycle. This is a common pattern in abusive relationships, where periods of abuse are followed by affection, causing you to doubt the severity of the situation.
You avoid certain topics or downplay concerns to prevent conflict or a negative reaction. This fear suggests your partner’s response has been intimidating, manipulative, or dismissive—common in abusive dynamics where power and control are exerted.
When your partner apologizes but fails to change their behavior or refuses to acknowledge their role in conflicts, it shows a lack of genuine accountability. This can be a hallmark of emotional manipulation, where apologies are used to deflect blame without a real commitment to change.
If you are in danger, call 911 now.
Emergency services are available to provide the support and protection you need. Your well-being is paramount, and taking this step can save your life.
We offer specialised support for victims of abusive relationships, providing a safe space to explore feelings, understand abuse dynamics, and begin the process of healing.
Abuse in a marriage involves behavior that causes psychological, emotional, physical, sexual, or financial harm, where the perpetrator fails to take responsibility and does not make genuine efforts to stop. Abuse extends beyond occasional arguments, yelling, or name-calling; it is chronic in nature and often creates power dynamics that leave one person unable to fight back or feeling completely powerless.
One of the significant challenges in identifying someone as abusive is that abusers often reject such labels, instead diverting blame or attributing their behavior to external factors or specific contexts. An abuser typically seeks to dominate or control another person, often unconsciously driven by deep-seated fears they are trying to regulate. This behavior is usually a self-protective mechanism or a frantic attempt to avoid certain fears in their own life. As a result, their actions can be devastating for those involved, as the abuse is rooted in the abuser’s unresolved issues rather than the victim’s behavior.
Various therapeutic approaches can be effective in treating the effects of abuse, including trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This method helps individuals, especially children who have experienced abuse, manage distressing emotions and address trauma-related memories.
Emotional and psychological abuse can lead to significant short- and long-term consequences. It affects both physical and mental health, causing feelings of confusion, anxiety, shame, guilt, frequent crying, over-compliance, powerlessness, and more.
Narcissistic emotional abuse is characterized by manipulation, where the abuser prioritizes themselves and uses words and actions to control their partner’s behavior and emotions. The effects of narcissistic abuse can vary based on the duration and intensity of these relationships.
Similar to other forms of psychological and emotional abuse, narcissistic abuse can result in anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Victims may also experience difficulties in regulating their emotions, leading to mood swings, anger outbursts, or emotional numbness as a consequence of these mental health challenges.
