Mental abuse isn’t just calling someone names…
It’s also ignoring them, invalidating their feelings, giving them the silent treatment, and saying things that make them doubt themselves and their own reality. It is neglecting and not considering their feelings and basically treating a person like they don’t count.
It is as damaging as physical abuse, if not more.
Mental abuse encompasses a range of manipulative and controlling behaviors that aim to undermine a person’s self-esteem, sense of reality, and overall well-being, often through tactics like gaslighting, isolation, constant criticism, threats, and intimidation, even without using explicit insults.
Key points about mental abuse:
Beyond words: While verbal abuse (including name-calling) can be a part of mental abuse, it can also manifest through non-verbal actions like ignoring, silent treatment, constant belittling, or undermining someone’s opinions.
Manipulation and control: A primary goal of mental abuse is to manipulate and control the victim by making them feel dependent on the abuser, questioning their own sanity, or isolating them from support networks.
Impact on mental health: Mental abuse can significantly harm a person’s mental health, leading to anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and even post-traumatic stress disorder.
Examples of abuse beyond name-calling:
Gaslighting: Making someone doubt their own perceptions and memories by denying reality or twisting situations.
Trivializing feelings: Dismissing someone’s emotions as “overreacting” or “being too sensitive”.
Public humiliation: Embarrassing someone in front of others through criticism or put-downs.
Threats and intimidation: Using threats of harm, leaving, or self-harm to control someone’s behavior.
Isolation tactics: Discouraging someone from spending time with friends and family.
Constant criticism: Finding fault with almost everything someone does, even when seemingly minor.
