Most people tend to associate the word abuse with physical abuse, but there are other types as well. And one that is particularly dangerous is emotional abuse.
It’s difficult to recognize it since manipulation, swearing, and screaming don’t leave any visible scars or wounds like physical violence does.
And if you’re one of many women who have experienced emotional abuse, then you know how hard it is to seek help from others. When you tell someone that your partner is abusing you, you never know if the other person will believe you since it’s difficult to prove.
That’s especially true when you’re in a relationship with a manipulator who always portrays himself as the victim. He’ll make sure that you appear as if you’re lying and he’s the poster boy for nicety.
That’s why you probably never contacted anyone and rather tried to deal with it by yourself. And if you really think about it, no one can help you but yourself.
Your only option is to educate yourself and try to find what experiences other people had when dealing with emotional abusers.
Here in this article, you’ll find a couple of things you can do to protect yourself from emotional abuse.
1. Break it off before things get serious
I know that this is easier said than done since, in most cases, you’re dealing with a manipulator who only cares about himself. An emotionally abusive man is insecure about himself and needs you to boost his ego every day.
His defense mechanism is to mistreat others and manipulate women into behaving in a way that suits him.
You can protect yourself by leaving him and the relationship at the first signs of his controlling behavior. Don’t tell yourself that he’ll change and that it was a one-time thing. Listen to me – it never is!
He’ll continue using you for his selfish needs until you eventually decide to break it off. Don’t always listen to your heart, listen to your head for once.
Walk away from a manipulative man before things get serious.
2. He can’t and won’t change
Most women make the mistake of thinking that they can change a man. But the reality is, they can’t unless the man agrees to do it himself. You can point out your partner’s flaws to him, but whether or not he’ll change his behavior is ultimately his choice.
Your emotions are mixed when you’re in an abusive relationship. And that’s because you genuinely loved him in the beginning until he showed you his true face.
Eventually, when he became a man you’re scared of, you gave everything you had to change him because you couldn’t accept that he wasn’t the same man as he used to be.
The truth is, he was always a manipulator but he managed to deceive you with his wily mind games. He’ll always be toxic toward you because he can’t change and you need to accept that.
Save yourself and leave him before he robs you of your will to live.
3. Say “you’re right” even though you don’t mean it
Manipulators in disguise are great at getting their way. Even though you have to fight for what you stand for, sometimes it’s better to take a step back and say “you’re right” for the sake of your sanity.
Otherwise, you’d go insane and he’d know that he has you in the palm of his hand.
There are times when it’s easier and better for your mental health to let him win the argument and move away. Trust me, sooner or later, karma will come to take its revenge – you just need to be patient.
4. Be smart enough not to fall for his tricks
A manipulator will always strive to be in control of the situation. He’ll use every trick up his sleeve to keep the upper hand and get under your skin.
That means he’ll blame you even when you did absolutely nothing wrong and tell others that you’re the bad one.
He’ll feel good about himself only when he’s inflicting pain on you and ignoring you. He’s a master at playing the hot-and-cold game.
And by doing so, he’s keeping you on an emotional roller coaster, which can have a negative impact on your overall well-being.
If you want to protect yourself from emotional abuse, you need to be smart enough not to fall for his tricks. Keep a cool head and don’t allow him to provoke you to the point where you completely lose it.
Show him that his words and toxic behavior aren’t bothering you at all, and sooner or later he’ll give up and move on to his next victim.
5. Don’t change yourself
I know that you’ve been thinking of changing yourself for the sake of being with him. But you’ll only feel miserable if you do that.
Don’t fall into his web of lies and believe that something’s wrong with you. You’re perfect the way you are.
You shouldn’t feel forced to change so you can avoid conflict with your partner. That’s not what love is about.
A man who genuinely cares about you will love all of your flaws and quirks. He won’t feel the need to change you in any way since you’ll be perfect to him.
An emotional abuser won’t be able to touch or manipulate you when you decide to stick to your values and defend them at all costs.
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