Along with physical abuse, there is also mental abuse.
Mental abuse is like physical abuse except the person is attacking the mind. This usually leads to a the person who is being abused feeling worthless and lacking any kind of empowerment.
This is closely related to emotional abuse which I will discuss tomorrow, but it includes verbal and psychological abuse.
This type of abuse usually comes in the form of:
- Humiliation
- Criticizing
- Control
- Shame
- Accusations
- Blaming
- Co-dependence
I am sure the list could go on and on, but I think you get the idea. Also, within each of those groups, there are subgroups which will further refiner/define the type of abuse.
Now you may be asking what do I do, well that is easy, trust your instincts. God did not put you here to be abuse by others. He wants you to live life and live it more abundantly, not to be afraid of your own shadow.
The first thing I will tell you is leave, get out of that relationship now. If there is a little one, take them and go. Do not go to friends or family, unless you know for a fact that they will protect you, as this will be the first place the abuser will look. Do not tell anyone of your plans as this could be a potential leak source.
Realize that it is not your responsibility for the person that is abusing you. They need to suck it up and accept the responsibility. In other words, they need help.
Do not fall for the old sayings of “I will change” or “I have changed” or “It is your fault”, or anything else that sounds like one of these. They will not change, they have not changed, and it is not your fault. These are just tactics to make you feel guilty so you will stay. They will also threaten to commit suicide and again that is nor your fault.
Next you need to heal and I urge you to take this to God. He is a loving father who will help you, but realize that ways of helping are not always so obvious. His help may come in the way of support groups, family members, or even strangers you meet one time.
Are you being mentally abused? If so, speak to God and ask for help and be ready for His response. It will be something that you are not use to seeing.