Differences between the terms "psychological abuse" and "psychological abuse"

The terms "psychological abuse" and "psychological abuse" are often used interchangeably and refer to similar forms of abuse. However, the following distinctions can be made in their meanings:

  • Psychological abuse: This term usually refers to the systematic and purposeful use of psychological methods and tactics to control, suppress, or humiliate another person. Psychological abuse implies the presence of intentional malicious intent and positions itself as a form of violence based on the use of emotional, psychological or verbal means.
  • Psychological abuse: This term is broader and may encompass a wide range of negative psychological actions and behaviors that harm the mental and emotional well-being of another person. Psychological abuse can include forms of psychological abuse such as humiliation, manipulation, intimidation, gaslighting, but can also include other forms such as isolation, neglect, threats, insults, etc. Unlike psychological abuse, psychological abuse can be the result of intentional actions or be the result of incompetence, lack of empathy, or unhealthy relationships.

What are the common types of hugs?

  • Physical Abuse: Includes physical abuse such as , beating, spanking, strangling, kicking, hitting or using weapons against other family members. Physical abuse can cause injury, injury, or even death.
  • Emotional or psychological abuse: This is a form of violence based on humiliation, threats, intimidation, constant criticism, isolation, guilt or neglect. Victims of emotional abuse can suffer from constant stress, anxiety, depression, and loss of self-esteem.
  • Sexual Abuse: Includes coercion or inappropriate sexual behavior towards another family member without his consent. This may include rape, sexual harassment, forced viewing of pornography, or other forms of sexual exploitation.
  • Economic abuse: A family member can use an economic power and control to restrict the victim's access to financial resources, prevent them from working, control their sources of income, or coercively manage the victim's finances.
  • Social Abuse: Enables isolating the victim from friends , family and social networks. The abuser may limit the victim's contact with the outside world, prohibit him from communicating with other people, or create dependence on himself in order to maintain control and power.

Why are people afraid of abusers?

Abusers often seek to instill fear in the victim and control them through that fear. They may use threats, violence, intimidation, and other tactics to make the victim fear them. As a result, the victim may feel helpless, vulnerable, and dependent on the abuser.

Fearing the abuser in a family situation is an understandable response to the violence and threat faced by the victim. Abusers can use fear to establish and maintain their power and control over the victim.

It is important to note, however, that fear is not a healthy and productive state for the victim. Fear may limit her ability to act and seek help. Therefore, it is important to work on understanding your rights, getting support and developing protection strategies to overcome fear and find safety.

How do Abusers behave in the family?

Abusers in the family may exhibit a variety of behaviors, which may include the following traits:

  • Control and dominance: Abusers seek to control everyone aspect of the victim's life. They make decisions for her, limit her freedom of choice, dictate rules and demand absolute submission.
  • Threats and Intimidation: Abusers use threats and intimidation to bend the victim to his will. They may threaten physical violence, harm loved ones, or threaten to take away children, property, or financial independence.
  • Blackmail and manipulation: Abusers often use blackmail and manipulation to achieve their goals. They may promise a reward or flatter in order to gain control over the victim and then use that control to their advantage.
  • Constant criticism and humiliation: Abusers criticize and humiliate the victim in order to undermine her self-esteem and self-respect. They may regularly chide, insult, swear, and criticize the victim, inflicting emotional pain on them.
  • Isolation: Abusers seek to isolate the victim from support from friends, family or community. They can forbid contact with other people, create dependence on themselves and undermine the victim's connections, so that she feels helpless and isolated.
  • Denial and Blame-shifting: Abusers can deny their violence and blame the victim for what is happening. They can convince the victim that they deserve to be treated like this or that they are victims of the situation.
  • Cycle of Violence: Domestic Violence Often Seen a cycle of violence that includes phases of violence, repentance and promises, and then back to violence again. This can create emotional confusion and dependency in the victim.

It is important to remember that each situation is unique and the abuser's behavior may vary from case to case. However, these commonalities help to understand how abusers may behave in a family context.

What words do Abusers say?

Abusers may use a variety of words and expressions that may have the purpose of humiliating, controlling or manipulating the victim. Some examples of such words and phrases include:

  • Threats: Abusers may threaten victims with physical violence causing harm to her loved ones, destruction of property or taking away children. They may use phrases like "I'll kill you", "I'll ruin your life" or "You'll never see the kids again".
  • Insults and Humiliations: Abusers can use insults and humiliation to undermine the victim's self-esteem and self-respect. They may call her derogatory names, swear or rebuke her. For example: "You are nothing", "You are stupid / stupid" or "You can never do anything".
  • Manipulation: Abusers can use manipulation to take control of the victim. They may promise rewards or flatter to achieve their goals, and then use that control to their advantage. For example, "If you do what I want, I will treat you better" or "If you don't do what I say, you will lose everything."
  • Criticism and insults based on appearance or intelligence : Abusers may use the appearance or intelligence of the victim to insult and humiliate. They may judge the victim for her appearance, weight, clothing, or criticize her intellectual abilities. For example: "You look terrible", "You're stupid" or "No one wants to be with you".
  • False Accusations: Abusers can make false accusations towards the victim to make them feel guilty or unworthy. They may tell the victim that she is causing the abuse or that she deserves what is happening to her.

It is important to remember that the abuser's words can be very damaging to the victim and can cause serious psychological consequences.

How to outplay the Abuser?

Outplaying an abuser in the context of domestic violence can be difficult and dangerous. Direct confrontation with the abuser can aggravate the situation and put the victim in greater danger. Instead, the following strategies should be considered:

  • Keep yourself safe: Keeping yourself safe is important Firstly. If you are in immediate danger, seek help from law enforcement or victim support organizations.
  • Look for support: Reach out to people you trust in their lives, such as friends, family, or professionals (psychologists, lawyers, social workers), for support and advice. Supportive people can help you sort things out and find support resources.
  • Educate yourself: Learn your rights and resources, available to victims of domestic violence. Research the laws and assistance programs in your country or region. This will help you make informed decisions and act in your best interests.
  • Create a security plan: Develop a security plan that to protect themselves and their children if the violence escalates. Include contacts for emergency services, shelters, and relief organizations in your plan. Remember that safety should be your top priority.
  • Limit contact: If possible, limit contact with an abuser. Try to create an emotional and physical boundary between you and the abuser. If you are in the process of a divorce or division of property, please consult a lawyer for advice on contact and limitation.
  • Seek professional help: Psychologists, therapists and family violence counselors can provide you with support and tools to deal with the emotional impact of abuse and recovery.
  • Take care of yourself: Prioritize your physical and psychological well-being. Take care of your health, take time for yourself and engage in activities that bring you joy and relaxation.

What are Abusers afraid of?

Abusers may experience their own fears and insecurities, which may contribute to their abuse and control of others. Some possible fears and motives that abusers may have include:

  • Loss of Control: Abusers often seek to control others because they themselves experience the fear of losing control over their own lives or situations. They may use violence and manipulation to maintain power over other people.
  • Low Self-Esteem: Abusers may experience low self-esteem , lack of self-confidence and feelings of inferiority. They may try to compensate for these feelings by humiliating and controlling others.
  • Fear of Loss: Abusers may fear losing resources that are important to them, such as power, dominance, finances, or a partner. They may use violence and control to prevent such a loss or to hold onto a position of power.
  • Fear of being alone: Some abusers may be afraid being lonely or losing the support and attention of others. They can use violence and manipulation to keep people close to them close to them, even if it happens through violence.

It is important to note that the causes and motives of abusers can be complex and individual. However, it must be understood that the presence of fears and personal problems does not justify or reduce the responsibility for violence and mistreatment of others.

When does the abuser leave on his own?

The abuser may leave on his own in some cases, but this is not typical behavior. Abusers are usually reluctant to change and rarely stop their abuse without external intervention or motivation. However, there are several scenarios that can lead to the abuser deciding to leave:

  • Self-Awareness and Reflection: Some abusers may start be aware of their problems and the consequences of their actions. They may go through a process of self-reflection and awareness of the harm they cause to other people. In this case, they may decide to change their behavior and seek help.
  • Loss of Control: In some cases, abusers may lose control of your victims or the situation. This can happen, for example, when a victim seeks help from law enforcement agencies or organizations that provide assistance to victims of violence. The abuser may realize that his actions are getting out of control and decide to stop the abuse in order to avoid legal consequences.
  • Change of circumstances: Abusers can leave if there are significant changes in the family or life situation. For example, divorce, division of property, moving to another region or country may create circumstances in which the abuser decides to move away.
  • Outside intervention: Abuser can stop his violence under the influence of outside interference such as law enforcement, social services, court decisions, or rehabilitation programs. In some cases, abusers may realize the seriousness of their actions when it becomes clear to them that there will be consequences.

It is important to note that the abuser's departure does not always mean that the danger has completely disappeared. Victims of domestic violence must take steps to ensure their safety and receive support, even if the abuser decides to leave.

How do Abusers behave when they are dumped?

When abusers realize that their partner or victim is about to leave them or they have already been abandoned, their behavior can be varied. Below are some typical reactions of abusers in such situations:

  • Promises and Persuasion: Abusers can use promises , apologies and persuasion to convince a partner or victim to stay with them. They may promise to change, stop abusing or manipulating, and show remorse for their actions. The goal here is to maintain control and bring the partner or victim back under their influence.
  • Manipulating and intimidating the victim: Abusers can use manipulation and intimidation in an attempt to regain control over the victim. They may threaten violence, spread rumors, humiliate or find out information about a partner or victim in order to use it against them. This may be an attempt to shake the partner's or victim's decision to leave and force them to stay.
  • Intensifying violence: In response to partner leaving or the abuser victims may become even more violent or aggressive. They may use physical violence, threaten or show increased rage in order to keep a partner or victim close to them. This may be based on a desire to retain control and restore previous dominance.
  • Appeal to sympathy and pity: Abusers can use the tactics of appealing to sympathy and pity to make the partner or victim feel guilty or afraid for their well-being. They may present themselves as victims or make excuses for their violence in order to gain sympathy and prevent the partner or victim from leaving.

It is important to note that these reactions may vary from case to case, and not all abusers will exhibit all of these behavioral traits. The abuser's reactions may depend on their personality, history of abuse, degree of control, and other factors.