How I Escaped My Emotionally Abusive Spouse

Emotional abuse is used to control a spouse through manipulation, degradation, humiliation, brainwashing and intimidation. The abuser systematically erodes the victim's self-confidence and self-trust with the use of these tactics under the often belittling guise of "one who knows better than you". Emotional abuse is a form of domestic violence that cripples your ability to think independently and robs you of self-esteem. While divorce seems like the obvious choice, it's not so easy for the victim for this reason: emotional abusers won't let go.

It often takes a courageous person to seek outside help to validate that they are, in fact, being emotionally abused. Unfortunately, getting the victim to identify their spouse as an emotional abuser is only half the problem.

The other half is trying to end the marriage. The minute the victim pursues independence, the abuser will say and do anything to maintain the status quo. This is simply because the abuser thrives on controlling the victim and they will resort to whatever means possible to regain their power.          More