4 Types of Domestic Violence & How to Recognize Them

Emotional abuse
Emotional abuse is perhaps one of the vaguest types of abuse to which an individual can be exposed. Emotional pain and hurt are not uncommon in relationships – it is human to feel negative emotions in response to arguments or unpleasant events in a relationship. While it is natural to feel emotional responses, it is not healthy or natural to feel as if your thoughts, feelings, and emotions are regularly threatened by your loved one. Emotional abuse is a consistent denial of your right to express your feelings. It is a violation or ridicule of your most important values and beliefs. Some warning signs that you may be experiencing this type of abuse are:

Withholding of approval or support as a form of punishment,
Criticism, belittling, name-calling, and yelling,
Regular threats to leave or being told to leave,
Invasions of privacy, and
Elimination of support by preventing contact with friends and family.

4 Types of Domestic Violence & How to Recognize Them
Elizabeth McCormick
By Elizabeth McCormick , Counselor
20.4k ReadsUpdated: 23 Apr, 2021
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Types Of Abuse And How To Recognize Them
In This Article
Emotional abuse
Psychological abuse
Verbal abuse
Physical abuse
What can you do?
Abuse is a complex concept, one that is easily defined and yet very difficult to understand and identify. Many who have experienced abuse in any form for long periods of time or from a number of people in their lives have difficulty distinguishing unhealthy relationship patterns and the dangers of prolonged abuse. The term “abuse” covers a broad spectrum of behaviors and actions thus making it difficult to define a specific number of types. The following examples are the most commonly recognized types of abuse in a partnership, marriage, or long-term relationship
Emotional abuse
Emotional abuse is perhaps one of the vaguest types of abuse to which an individual can be exposed. Emotional pain and hurt are not uncommon in relationships – it is human to feel negative emotions in response to arguments or unpleasant events in a relationship. While it is natural to feel emotional responses, it is not healthy or natural to feel as if your thoughts, feelings, and emotions are regularly threatened by your loved one. Emotional abuse is a consistent denial of your right to express your feelings. It is a violation or ridicule of your most important values and beliefs. Some warning signs that you may be experiencing this type of abuse are:

Withholding of approval or support as a form of punishment,
Criticism, belittling, name-calling, and yelling,
Regular threats to leave or being told to leave,
Invasions of privacy, and
Elimination of support by preventing contact with friends and family.
Related Reading: Strategies to Deal With Emotional Abuse in a Relationship
Psychological abuse
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Psychological abuse is also difficult to define as it encompasses a spectrum of abuse that offers no obvious physical evidence. Psychological abuse can be included as an element of emotional or verbal abuse, making it difficult to define it as a distinctly different form. Many experiences this kind of abuse in the form of restriction, belittlement, unrealistic demands, or threats. It can also include things such as withholding affection/information in order to extract certain behavior from the individual being abused. Many of the signs of mental abuse are similar to those of emotional abuse. Examples include:

Refusal to socialize with the victim,
Taking car or house keys from the victim to prevent escape or safety,
Threatening to take the children,
Playing mind games, and
Ignoring or minimizing the victim’s feelings.
Verbal abuse
Verbal abuse is often the mildest form of abuse with overt and obvious evidence. While some verbal abuse is practiced in secret or when no one is around, many verbal abusers become comfortable with making statements around friends, family, and in public settings. Behavior can range from small, repetitive comments to loud, angry shouting meant to belittle the one on the receiving end of the comments. Characteristics and warning signs of verbal abuse are similar to the previous forms of abuse.
Physical abuse
Physical abuse is the most common and obvious form of abuse. Visible markings; cuts, bruises, contusions, and other long-lasting forms of evidence can be present. However, some overt forms of evidence are not present for extended periods of time. Many people experiencing physical abuse are exposed to pushing, shoving, slapping, biting, kicking, strangling, punching, or abandonment. An abuser may subject the victim to being locked out of the house, deprived of food, medicine, or sleep, or refusal to help if the victim is sick or injured. Physical abuse can include harm that is intentional or harm that is inflicted without the intent of hurting the individual. Repeated abuse can lead to a myriad of physical and mental health issues including brain injury, heart conditions, respiratory issues, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and anxiety. Neglect, a form of physical abuse, is the withdrawal of or refusal to support the victim. Like some other types of abuse, it is often difficult to assess and diagnose properly. education blog