How to Determine if You Are Emotionally Abused by a Spouse

Emotional abuse isn't as easy to discern as physical abuse. But, the effects of emotional abuse are just as damaging and debilitating to the victim. If you question the health of the relationship that you're in, take time to look at it wholly to determine if you're suffering from emotional abuse. Then, take the steps you need to in order to ensure your well-being and the well-being of your relationship.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Observe your spouse. Do they listen to what you are saying? Women are predominantly neglected by their husbands, emotionally. And men have a hard time displaying their emotions. They also have a hard time honoring their spouses emotional needs.
2. Evaluate the level of attention that your spouse provides. Another example of emotional abuse is if a mate is not interested in your life. If you do charity work, or have a job and your mate does not express any interest in how you have spent your day, that is emotional abuse. It is at the very least, neglect.
3. Communicate. People cannot read our minds. If you recognize a problem, you can address it. If you talk to you mate and tell them that you are feeling emotionally neglected (abused may be too strong of a word at this point) and express to them your emotional needs and they still continue to do what they are doing, you are being emotionally abused.
4. Take action. If the behavior does not change, or if they discount your feelings, counseling may be in order. This is a hard step because it is acknowledging that there is a problem that you cannot handle by yourself. If your mate is not willing to go to counseling, or to seek a minister's help, go by yourself. You will get the help that you need to either accept the behavior or get strong enough to deal with it in other ways.