Recognizing the Signs of Emotional Abuse in a Marriage

 Posted on March 12, 2018 in Divorce

Marriage is hard work, and it requires spouses to form a committed partnership and work together, treating each other with respect and making an effort to put their family’s best interests first. Unfortunately, there are many situations in which one spouse takes advantage of the other and commits acts of abuse designed to give them control in the relationship. While many people are aware of the signs of physical abuse, emotional abuse is often harder to recognize, but it can also be very damaging. If you are unhappy in your relationship, you may want to consider divorce if you are experiencing any of the following signs of emotional abuse:

• Oversensitivity - Abused people are often in constant fear of upsetting their partner or feel that they need to be careful of what they say to avoid provoking anger.
• Criticism - Emotionally abusive people will often tear down their victims in a variety of ways, including blaming them for things that are not their fault, making them feel like they cannot do anything right, making disparaging statements while claiming that they are joking, or offering backhanded compliments.
• Distrust - An abuser will often act jealous if their partner spends time with someone else, or they may want to know where their spouse is and who they are with at all times and require them to follow certain rules regarding what types of activities they are allowed to do and how often they should check in.
• Manipulation - Emotional abuse often takes the form of behavior designed to give a person control in a relationship. An abuser may withhold affection unless they get what they want, act in a passive-aggressive manner, refuse to acknowledge others’ feelings, or make their victim feel guilty for standing up for themselves. In some cases, they may “gaslight” their victims, lying to them about things that were done or said and making them question own memories or sense of reality.
• Isolation - Abusers will often attempt to control those they are abusing by not allowing them to spend time with friends or convincing them to cut ties with family members. They may also take control of finances or other resources, creating a sense of reliance on them.

Contact a Rolling Meadows Family Law Attorney

When a person is in an abusive relationship, their abuser often exerts a level of control that makes them feel that they have no other options but to remain in a bad situation. However, nobody deserves to be subjected to abuse. If you notice any of the above signs in your own marriage, you may want to consider divorce. The compassionate attorneys of A. Traub & Associates can help you understand your rights and options, and we will advocate for you to receive the financial resources you need to escape an abusive situation. Contact a Schaumburg divorce lawyer at 630-426-0196 to schedule an initial consultation.

Sources:

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/signs-of-emotional-abuse-relationship_us_5a999fbee4b0a0ba4ad31a4d

https://goodmenproject.com/divorce/25-signs-emotional-abuse-cmtt/