Article: Emotional abuse, also known as “psychological abuse,” is any act of verbal assault, humiliation, intimidation, isolation, or confinement that diminishes someone’s self-worth or dignity. It can take many forms and can exist in every relationship, whether familial, intimate, or work-related. Emotional abuse, like physical abuse, develops in cycles: the abuse builds as the abuser tries to establish dominance, then the abuser expresses remorse and life returns to normal. However, the cycle will start up again, often with the abuser acting in a more extreme manner. Any act that diminishes your sense of self-worth can be abusive. Common abusive acts include:  swearing or yelling name calling, mocking, and insults verbal or physical threats or intimidation isolation or excluding someone Emotional abuse can be every bit as damaging as physical violence in a relationship. Emotional abuse begins to take its toll on your self-esteem, happiness, and even your physical health. Common signs of emotional abuse in romantic relationships include:  The abuser criticizes, judges, or humiliates you. The abuser dominates or controls you. The abuser focuses on blame and accusation. You are the victim of emotional distancing. Children can be abused emotionally, not just physically. Although children may lack the words to tell someone that they are being emotionally abused, there are common warning signs:  The child withdraws socially. The child loses self-confidence or suffers a decline in school performance. The child is desperate for approval and affection. The child suffers repeat ailments like stomachaches or headaches that do not have a medical cause. The elderly can also be abused emotionally. In the United States, over half a million cases of elder abuse are reported each year. Elder abuse can be perpetrated by anyone who cares for the elderly, whether a family member or a professional. There are many symptoms of emotional abuse in the elderly:  They often suffer from hopelessness or low self-esteem. They become shy and withdrawn. They experience sudden changes in sleeping or eating habits. They express a desire to hurt themselves or someone else. Workplace bullying is a serious problem. It is not limited to supervisors bullying subordinates. In fact, almost anyone can become the victim of bullying in the workplace. Some tension is common in most workplaces, but you may be the victim of bullying if:  You obsess about work while at home and have trouble sleeping at night. You come home from work lifeless and without any emotional energy. You are afraid to admit to loved ones that you are being bullied and may even suspect that you brought the abuse on yourself. You are isolated by other employees, some of whom are afraid to work with you. Nothing you do is good enough for your boss, and your boss expects perfect performance without offering adequate training or supervision.
What is a summary of what this article is about?
Define emotional abuse. Identify common abusive acts. Check for abuse in romantic relationships. Identify child abuse and neglect. Understand elder abuse. Recognize emotional abuse in the workplace.