Mental or psychological abuse being domestic violence too!

Domestic violence is a very common issue in brown households. Domestic

violence is any behavior to gain control or power over a person in a family.
Mental or psychological abuse falls under domestic violence. Mental abuse is
just as serious as physical abuse and often precedes it. In worst cases, they
happen together. All of us have experienced it in our lifetime more or less.
The abuser can be the parents or the children or the spouse as well. No
matter who it is, nobody deserves to be treated like that.
Mental abuse often occurs when abuser thinks it’s acceptable or somehow
justified, and less likely to be reported. Since mental abuse doesn’t result in
physical evidence such as bruising or malnutrition, it can be very hard to
recognize. Anger, drugs or other problems don’t really cause abuse; it is a
behavior that can be learned from one’s surroundings. The abusers main
aim is to frighten or isolate someone. It includes verbal abuse, threats,
public humiliation, personal devaluation, destructive criticism, gaslighting,
refusal to ever be pleased etc. Mental/psychological abuse makes a person
question their self worth; sometimes their entire existence too. It also
makes them lose their psychological integrity. The worst part is most of the
time the abuser is not even aware of his/her actions. Sometimes, the victim
doesn’t realize he/she is being abused.
Mental abuse includes:
 Humiliation or constantly criticizing.
 Control and shame.
 Blaming, scapegoating and denial.
 Using offensive topics or sarcasm to hurt someone as a “joke”.
 Threatening, shouting at a child.
 Unnecessary yelling and calling inappropriate names.
 Invading your privacy without your permission.
 Punishing you for not going along with what they want.
If you’re being mentally abused, know that it isn’t right and nobody has the
right over you to make you live this way. I repeat. NOBODY.
Mental abuse affects a person in many different ways. Such as – having
confusion, fear, hopelessness, shame.This emotional toll can also result in
behavioral and physical side effects. You may also experience difficulty
concentrating, moodiness, muscle tension, nightmares, racing heartbeat,
various aches and pains. Over time, these can contribute to low self-esteem
and depression. You may also develop anxiety, social withdrawal or
loneliness, chronic pain, guilt, insomnia. It is worse than how it sounds.
Sometimes, constant mental abuse can lead to serious health conditions like
chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia.
So, what to do in this situation?

 Decide that you won’t respond to abuse or get sucked into

arguments.Disengage and set personal boundaries. 
  Don’t try to convince your abuser that whatever they’re doing is wrong.
You may want to help, but it’s unlikely they’ll break this pattern of
behavior for you. The situation can get worse. Accept that the abuse
isn’t your responsibility.
 Reach out to supportive friends and family members. If you feel
comfortable, you can talk to a teacher or guidance counselor. Give
yourself time to heal.
 Make it clear to them that it’s over and don’t look back. If possible, cut
all ties with them. Exit the relationship or circumstance.

 You might also want to find a therapist who can show you a healthy way
to move forward.

Leaving the relationship is more complex if you’re married, have children, or

have commingled assets. If that’s your situation, seek legal assistance.

Family is the only place we always consider safe. We look upto our family
members more than they understand. Their behavior towards people in the
family reflects the person we’re going to be in the future. So, be wise choosing
your words. We don’t wanna fight with our own blood. If we can’t rely on our
family members, where else we’re going to seek for help.

Practice empathy at home. Be kind. According to a very famous phrase

“Home Sweet Home”, let our home be our own place of mental peace and
happiness.