Emotional and psychological abuse includes constant criticism, humiliation, intimidation, gaslighting and emotional manipulation.
Bruises fade, but self-doubt sinks into your bones. Unlike physical violence, which leaves undeniable proof, emotional abuse operates subtly in the shadows, creeping in through backhanded compliments, withdrawn affection, or a rewritten history that makes you question your own memory.
The ultimate tragedy of psychological abuse is that it forces you to become your own worst enemy, teaching you to apologise for valid emotions.
Comprehending emotional abuse means recognising it as a systematic breakdown of self-esteem; identifying this destructive pattern is the vital first step toward reclaiming your personal truth.
Sibongile Dondo reflected: “If I could journey back in time, I would share a single truth with the little girl I used to be: It is not your fault. While many believe emotional abuse only occurs between partners, parents can be the source of psychological abuse as well.”
