Psychological abuse is often the most difficult type of abuse to recognize because their scars are not visible to the naked eye. Unlike physical and sexual abuse, this does not leave marks, wounds or other physical evidence.
On the other hand, psychological abuse can occur in different areas of life: couple, family, school (bullying), work (mobbing). Regardless of where this phenomenon manifests itself, the long-term effects can be long-lasting, invisible, devastating and can even accompany the affected person for the rest of their life, especially if the abuse occurs at an early age or is not treated by a professional. of mental health.
But… What are the invisible consequences of psychological abuse? What negative effects does psychological abuse produce on the victim? In the following lines you can find the answers to these questions.
1. Low self-esteem
The victim’s low self-esteem can in many cases be the trigger for this type of abuse, especially in relationships, where great emotional dependence can manifest when people value themselves in a negative way. But low self-esteem is also a consequence that the abused person can suffer.
According to research that was published in the Journal of Emotional Abuse In 2005, as a result of this situation, self-confidence and self-worth of people who are victims of psychological abuse become negative.
Psychological abusers often focus on the victim’s weakness, constantly attacking them without mercy. Whether it’s her physical appearance, her weight, her intelligence… The abuser constantly repeats the message that the victim is worthless
2. Anxiety and stress
Another of the investigations of Journal of Emotional Abuse concludes that people who suffer psychological abuse They have high levels of anxiety and post-traumatic stress Much of the manifestation of this symptomatology has its roots in the victim’s denial of reality.
Many people who suffer this form of abuse are not even aware that the damage they suffer is not their fault nor is it part of the natural development of their daily lives, as it is more secretive and more difficult to detect than physical abuse. In fact, it can even be difficult to consider filing a complaint.
3. Sleep problems
Another consequence of psychological abuse is sleep instability, which is often associated with anxiety and stress, and which can manifest itself with nightmares. The same study concludes that the denial and helplessness of victims of psychological abuse can cause sleep disorders.
4. Loneliness
Victims of psychological abuse often suffer a great tendency toward loneliness and isolation. For example, in the case of relationships, the abuser may try to cut off the communication the victim has with their family, and in cases of bullying or mobbing, the victim usually suffers damage to their reputation, since the abuser makes sure that this is the case. Isolation and loneliness further aggravate the situation and make it difficult to put an end to the problem.
It is possible that the victim, finding himself alone and having low self-esteem, ends up blaming himself for what happens, and it is not at all strange that the harasser also carries out behaviors that aim to make the abused person blame themselves For example, in cases of psychological abuse in a couple, a phenomenon called emotional blackmail frequently occurs, in which the victim is easily manipulated.
6. Depression
Without a doubt, it is very common that people who are victims of psychological abuse end up suffering from a depressive state And it is not at all strange considering that their self-esteem is seriously damaged, that they are in a situation of loneliness and that they are constantly suffering from a traumatic situation.
7. Suicidal ideation
Depression and abuse can often lead to suicidal ideation In recent times, for example, an alarm has been raised due to the cases of bullying that have occurred in some schools.
8. Substance abuse
Substance abuse can also appear in people who are victims of psychological abuse, since it is a way to avoid facing reality and is another form of denial It is also common for this phenomenon to manifest itself in adulthood when individuals have been victims of psychological bullying as children.
9. Excessive aggressiveness
On other occasions, the rage and anger felt by some people who have suffered this type of abuse They can cause the appearance of excessive aggression. Especially in children who are victims of abuse, this aggressiveness can accompany them for the rest of their lives.
10. Difficulty with other interpersonal relationships
A study published in the Journal of Emotional Abuse states that people who are victims of psychological abuse have serious difficulties in having healthy interpersonal relationships The reason for this is that their trust in others is diminished, and many are unable to have close emotional ties with other individuals.
11. Emotional mutism
The suffering suffered by victims of psychological abuse is such that They have serious difficulties expressing their emotions Sometimes out of shame and sometimes because the suffering of the psychological siege to which they have been subjected has resulted in them losing trust in other people. The inability to express feelings is known as emotional mutism or alexithymia.
12. Psychosomatic disorders
Emotional mutism and stress can often cause a series of psychological and organic disorders. One of them is the psychosomatic disorder, which is characterized by a physical symptomatology that is believed to be caused or aggravated by mental factors The negative moods that we do not express can inhibit or activate organic systems that, maintained over time, can give rise to this type of disorders.
