How Do You Define Emotional Abuse?

From the Show: HER
Summary: Learn the signs that you may be in an abusive relationship and how you can identify and respond to verbal abuse.
Air Date: 2/20/14
Duration: 10
Host: Michelle King Robson and Dr. Pamela Peeke, MD
Guest Bio: Norman Rosenthal, MD
Norm rosenthalDr. Norman E. Rosenthal is the world-renowned psychiatrist and author whose research in describing seasonal affective disorder (SAD) has helped millions of people. His 2011 book Transcendence was a New York Times bestseller, and his next book, The Gift of Adversity, was released in late August, 2013.
How Do You Define Emotional Abuse?
Loverrespect.org defines emotional abuse as the following: non-physical behaviors such as threats, insults, constant monitoring or “checking in,” excessive texting, humiliation, intimidation, isolation or stalking. Verbal abuse is only a portion of emotional abuse, because abuse can also be non-verbal. Ever experience the silent treatment? It can be brutal. 

If you are worried you are in an emotionally abusive relationship, you may question if you are the victim or the abuser. Society would like to think of the world in terms of clear-cut victims and abusers; but abuse can be shades of grey... it is more a deterioration of a relationship. 

If you're in an abusive situation, what can you do to resolve or escape it?

The 3 steps to stop emotional abuse: 
  • Express your feelings
  • Identify the patterns of control and manipulation
  • Therapy 
World-renowned psychiatrist and author, Dr. Norm Rosenthal, reveals the signs that you may be in an abusive relationship, as well ashow you can identify and respond to verbal abuse.