Emotional abuse is one of the hardest forms of abuse to identify. It can be overt or covert, but the ends with the same results. Used as a form of control, emotional manipulation follows the cycle of abuse. It is usually ongoing, until something inevitably stops the cycle, usually either the victim being discarded or choosing to leave.

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Victims usually lose their entire sense of self, without any physical sign of abuse. They become unable to see themselves realistically. Things may seem like a dream, even long after the abuse ends. Many survivors attest that the scars from emotional abuse last much longer, and are much deeper than those caused by physical abuse.

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Includes: gaslighting, name calling, criticism, verbal abuse, accusations, isolation, manipulation, dismissing, invalidating, projection, drama, walking on eggshells, condescending, withholding, lying / denial, possessiveness, etc.