Emotional Abuse: Defined as the use of words, actions, or treatment that create an environment of intimidation, humiliation, coercion, worthlessness, or abandonment. 

While I only review potential consequences in young children, imagine how this manifests as they grow older into adulthood if this isn’t caught and repaired early enough. This manifests into bullying, abusers in relationships, serial killers (yes), and more. Victims of this can experience health problems through symptoms of physical body tension, autoimmune diseases, cancer, disorders and diagnoses, and more into adulthood if not addressed. It’s important to recognize that these are just a few examples of emotional abuse and that it can be just as common in adult-to-adult interactions. Sometimes, adult-to-adult emotional abuse can be tricky to notice if you’ve been a victim of emotional abuse before. 

Consider if you know someone who talks like this or responds this way? If so, it doesn’t mean you should cut them off and it doesn’t make them a bad person—but it might be helpful feedback for you to re-evaluate your relationships and to advocate for individuals well being (including yours).

To learn more adult the harmful effects of emotional abuse in adult relationships, click here to read an article from Psychology Today.