Can anyone define what is mental abuse?

Answer 1

Women and men can be verbal abusers.: The following recurring thoughts indicate you are being mentally or emotionally abused by your spouse or lover.
"Sandy has no right to do that."
"I had better not tell Harry or he will be mad again."
"I'd better keep this private to avoid being criticized again."
"I can never do anything right with Chris."
"I can't stand it when Erin does that to me."
"Sometimes I think Natalie is tearing me apart with her mouth."
"Bob is always so sarcastic."
"When Pat talks to me like that I feel really small."

All abuse takes a toll on self-esteem. The abused person starts feeling helpless and possibly even hopeless. In addition, most emotional abusers are adept at convincing the victim that the abuse is his/her fault. Somehow, the victim is responsible for what happened.
Emotional abuse can take the form of:
Extramarital affairs
Provocative behavior with opposite sex
Humiliation and put-downs
Hypercriticism
Refusal to communicate
Use of sarcasm and unpleasant tone of voice
Unreasonable jealousy
Extreme moodiness
"I love you but..."
"If you don't shape up, I will..."
Domination and control
Withdrawal of affection
A common form of emotional abuse is "I love you, but..." That sounds so sweet, yet it is both a disguised criticism and a threat. It indicates, "I love you now, but if you don't stop such-and such, that love is of short duration." It is a constant put-down that works on your self-esteem.

And mental abuse often has some threat involved such as, "If you don't shape up, I will..."
"If you leave me, I'll go off without a trace. You and the kids will never find me and never get a penny from me."

All abuse takes a toll on self-esteem. The abused person starts feeling helpless and possibly even hopeless.

In addition, most emotional abusers are adept at convincing the victim that the abuse is his/her fault. Somehow, the victim is responsible for what happened.

Mental abuse is a blow of death to your self-esteem. Often the first step in leaving the abuse is obtaining counseling to rebuild that esteem.

Answer 2

My definition of mental abuse is telling/making someone believe something that is not true. telling a person they will never amount to anything. making a person feel less then human. Showing no emotions towards that person not caring. Having one believe that your way is the right way. when a person has not self esteem and you help put them down. Calling them names. Make them feel useless

Answer 3

sure it when some one talks negative and against you instead of telling you a better or more offensive way, if they call you names or just talk about what you do bad and make you feel belittled ( you feel me.) and to me i feel like mental abuse is actually worse than physical abuse because bruises can heal but words are really hard to forget. they stay in your pain zone more time if not for ever.

Answer 4

I certainly have no knowledge of the technical terminology.

It is when someone negatively influences your actions, attitude and way of thinking by using negative words, attitudes and actions themselves repeatedly and over a long period of time.

However, when your habits and actions change for the worse after being around someone who acts terribly and says terrible things to you that is when you need to seek professional advise regarding mental abuse.

Answer 5

mental abuse is interferring with a persons mental stability, their happiness, their emotions and tormenting them emotionally-not physically. Basically causing them to be very unhappy on purpose.

Answer 6

It is abusing your mental capacity. Putting it to its limits and not taking care of it properly.

Answer 7

mental abuse is what happens when i try to walk and chew gum at the same time.

Answer 8

It is when someone makes you doubt yourself, tells you things like you are fat, ugly, stupid, etc. Anything to mess with your mind. I've been divorced for several years & my X can't let me go so now he uses my kids to torture me. He buys them things I can't, tells them lies about me, etc. Fine line between mental & emotional abuse.

Answer 9

people calling you names or saying mean and hurtful stuff to you alot. people continuously saying that you are stupid or other mean things to you. it hurts as bad as physical abuse, people just can't see it. good luck in life. hope you are ok.

Answer 10

psychological abuse