xplumfriendx:
“Psychological abuse, also referred to as emotional abuse or mental abuse, is a form of abuse characterized by a person subjecting or exposing another to behavior that may result in psychological trauma, including anxiety, chronic depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder.”
WHAT IS PSYCHOLOGICAL ABUSE?
Psychological Abuse Wiki
Psychological Abuse: What it is and Why it Matters
Women’s Emotional Abuse Assessment Guide
Psychological Abuse: Definition, Signs, and Symptoms
EFFECTS OF PSYCHOLOGICAL ABUSE
The Effects of Psychological Abuse: Domestic Violence
Effects of Emotional Abuse in Romantic Relationships
Effects of Emotional Abuse in Adults
Slideshow: Emotional Abuse and Effects on the Victim
STATISTICS AND RESEARCH ON PSYCHOLOGICAL ABUSE
Statistics on Emotional Abuse in Teens and Children
Intimate Relationships, Psychological Abuse and Mental Heath Problems
Discussion Paper: Psychological Abuse
Emotional Abuse Fact Sheet
Power and Control Wheel
Emotional Abuse Hurts PDF
ABUSE TECHNIQUE: WHAT IS CRAZY-MAKING?
How Crazy Making Works
Men Calling Women “Crazy”
Eight Ways to Spot Emotional Manipulation
ABUSE TECHNIQUE: WHAT IS GASLIGHTING?
Gaslighting: An Abuser’s Favorite Tactic
What is Gaslighting?
10 Signs Your Man (or anyone) is Gaslighting You
Gaslighting: Out of the Fog
IS MY SIGNIFICANT OTHER/ RELATIVE/ FRIEND/ COWORKER/ ETC AN ABUSIVE NARCISSIST?
Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD)
The Crazy-Making Behavior of a Narcissist
Are you in a Relationship with a Crazy-Maker?
The Narcissist and Emotional Abuse
Abusive Relationship Red Flags
Signs of Emotional Abuse
INFO ON NARCISSISTIC VICTIM SYNDROME (NVS)
Narcissistic Victim Syndrome: A New Diagnosis?
Narcissistic Victim Syndrome: What the Heck is That?
Signs You’ve Been Abused by a Narcissist
After Narcissistic Abuse
INFO ON POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD)
What is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder?
Self Help Strategies for PTSD
PTSD: Symptoms, Treatment and Self Help
INFO ON ANXIETY
Anxiety Wiki
Anxiety Attacks and Anxiety Disorders
Calm Yourself Down During an Anxiety Attack
12 Signs You May Have an Anxiety Disorder
Types Of Anxiety Disorders
INFO ON DEPRESSION
Clinical Depression Wiki
Depression Symptoms and Warning Signs
Depression Hurts
Depression Support PDF
INFO ON INSOMNIA AND OTHER SLEEP DISORDERS
Insomnia Wiki
Sleep Disorder Wiki
Paper: Associations of Insomnia with Physical and Mental Health
Sleep Hygiene, Insomnia and Mental Health
Sleep and Mental Health
HOW TO DEAL WITH TRIGGERS AND/OR SOCIAL STRESSORS
How to Deal with Emotional Triggers
Healthy Ways to Handle Stress
Managing Stress
How to Identify and Cope with PTSD Triggers
Coping with and Managing Triggers
Coping Methods for Triggers, Social Stressors and Panic Attacks
WHAT TO DO IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW HAS A PANIC ATTACK
Help Someone Having a Panic Attack
How to Halt and Minimize Panic Attacks
Helping Someone Experiencing a Panic Attack
Tips to Cope with a Panic Attack
RESOURCES, COPING TECHNIQUES AND DISTRACTIONS
Positive Self Talk and Cognitive Exercises
Things to do When You are Anxious, Scared or Just Need a Distraction
Happy Things Post
153 Things to do Instead of Self Harm
Disney Movies Master Post
Coping with Thoughts of Self Harm
For When Boredom Strikes!
Mental Health Masterpost
Calming Sites
Mental Health Resources Masterpost
FOR WHEN YOU ARE CONSIDERING SELF HARM AND/OR SUICIDE OR NEED SOMEONE TO TALK TO
US Suicide Hotlines
International Suicide Hotlines
Kids Help Phone
WAVAW: Women Against Violence Against Women.
Trans Specific Support
Helpline Masterpost
Get Help: Resource Center
Dealing with Suicidal Thoughts
IF YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO WAS, OR IS, BEING ABUSED
Is Someone You Know Being Abused PDF
Helping Someone in an Abusive Relationship
Understanding Abuse
Warning Signs of Abuse
HOW TO BE AN ALLY TO VICTIMS OF ABUSE
How You Can Help Someone Being Abused
How to Be a Supportive Ally
IF YOU WERE/ARE A VICTIM OF PSYCHOLOGICAL ABUSE, OR ANY TYPE OF ABUSE PLEASE REMEMBER:
* What you went through or what you are going through is NOT OKAY. And you are NOT AT FAULT for what is or was happening.
*You are NOT crazy, you don’t “overreact” you don’t need to “calm down” If someone says these things to you when you bring up VALID CONCERNS, that is CRAZY MAKING and it is NOT OKAY.
*There are people out there who WILL BELIEVE YOU. Who WILL HAVE YOUR BACK. And who LOVE YOU. I am probably a complete stranger, and I can tell you right now, you mean the world to me. Stay strong!
*It’s okay and normal to be hurt, upset and angry. And you don’t have to forgive your abuser to get better.
*Take care of yourself, you aren’t being selfish I promise.
*Your feelings are valid.
*Its OKAY to ask for help.
*You are 100% deserving of LOVE and RESPECT.
ANYONE CAN MESSAGE ME ANYTIME FOR ANY REASON. SOLIDARITY IS IMPORTANT. STAND TOGETHER.
DISCLAIMER:
I do not claim to be an expert on Psychological Abuse. But I am a victim of Psychological Abuse that I suffered at the hands of a Narcissist. I have been diagnosed with Narcissistic Victim Syndrome (NVS), PTSD, Depression, Anxiety, and Insomnia.
As someone who was psychologically abused, I have no words to describe how it messes with your head. The confusion from being repeatedly exposed to things like Crazy-Making and Gaslighting, is intense. When someone you love is constantly telling you you are crazy, and everyone around them seems to agree, you begin to doubt your perceptions and yourself, you rip yourself to pieces with guilt, trying to understand what is going on. Are you really going crazy? Are you the reason for all the problems in the relationship? Or is something wrong actually going on? It makes you feel so helpless, worthless, and useless - which is EXACTLY how your abuser wants you to feel. I still struggle with feeling worthless and stupid, and guilty for allowing myself to be abused. I now know that what happened to me is not my fault, I shouldn’t be blamed for putting trust in someone I loved, and then having that person take advantage of me. Even though I know I am not to blame, and I know I’m not worthless, I still have bad days where I struggle.
When I first started my recovery process, I had a really difficult time understanding what was happening. I had never even heard of crazy making or gaslighting before. When I figured out what was actually happening it made me so relieved, I finally understood what had been happening the whole time. I knew I wasn’t crazy, or irrational, or stupid or forgetful, or any of the other things my abuser would have me to believe. Understanding what was happening was the first step for me to seek treatment and work on getting better. I currently go to counselling and group therapy.
Also, just because I was abused by a Narcissist. Doesn’t mean ALL abusers are narcissists. Anyone can be an abuser. I included info on abusive narcissists because they are VERY difficult to identify if you don’t know what you’re looking for. But I just wanted to make it clear that anyone can abuse anyone, not just narcissists.
Lastly, many people don’t consider Psychological Abuse to BE abuse. But just because you cant see the scars doesn’t mean they aren’t there. I am hoping that this post will help people going through similar experiences to recognize what is happening and start the path to recovery, as well as to better assist other victims. If anyone has anything useful to add to this, please send me a message, I would love more good posts explaining what crazy making and gaslighting is, as well as info relevant to mental abuse against men, and in LGBTQ+ relationships. I credited as many sources as I could, but if I am missing any due credit, please message me to let me know. If anyone needs me to add more trigger warning to the tags, please let me know.
I will always be there to try my best to help other victims of abuse, but I am not a therapist. If anyone really needs someone to talk to, you can message me at anytime, I will try my best, but I can’t promise that I’ll always be able to help. Solidarity is important, stand together and be kind to each other.