![\"Sad](\"https:\/\/image.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/New-Project-2022-07-13T222044.181.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Abuse of any form eats you up from the inside out. It crushes your <\/span>self-esteem<\/span><\/a> and disconnects you from life.<\/span> You don’t have to hide and healing is possible though<\/b>. It starts with understanding the 8 types of abuse in a relationship. It isn’t just physical. <\/span><\/p>\n The question of what is considered abuse in a relationship can be difficult to pinpoint precisely. Most people think of physical abuse but there are many more types of abuse that people can inflict on each other. Essentially, <\/span>abuse is any action or behavior that causes harm or mental anguish.<\/b> <\/span><\/p>\n As counselor Elizabeth McCormick explains in her article on<\/b> what is abuse<\/b><\/a>, there are also subtypes of abuse.<\/b> For instance, neglect and sexual abuse can sometimes come under physical abuse. Alternatively, you can also have guilt-tripping and name-calling under <\/span>emotional abuse<\/span><\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n Regardless of the abuse, it eventually leads to mental issues such as depression. <\/span>Victims often become desensitized to frequent abuse, and they take on the shame and the guilt.<\/b> Nevertheless, if your gut is telling you something is wrong, then it is.<\/span><\/p>\n First, you need to understand what is abuse in a relationship by reviewing the following descriptions of the types of abuse. As you’ll quickly see, it’s more than just about being in a <\/span>physically abusive relationship<\/span><\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n Abusive relationships don’t always start with physical violence. Instead, the types of abuse in a relationship can start with more subtle signs, specifically those geared towards emotions. <\/span>These can be as simple as ignoring you or belittling your feelings. <\/b><\/p>\n More specifically, spousal abuse often involves a dominant male. Of course, women can be abusive but some traditional males take the need to protect too far. <\/span><\/p>\n As Dr. Clare Murphy <\/span>explains in her article<\/span><\/a> on over-protection, stopping you from doing things or treating you like a possession is also listed under the types of abuse in a relationship. <\/span><\/p>\n Within the emotional forms of abuse in a relationship, you can also find manipulation, blaming, passive-aggressive, and shaming.<\/b> On top of that, you have controlling behavior as well as criticizing or even isolating yourself from friends and family. <\/span><\/p>\n This list is not exhaustive because any verbal or behavioral action that makes you feel shame, guilt or fear is emotional abuse. <\/span><\/p>\n People often think of sexual abuse in relationships as the obvious one alongside physical abuse. Although, the CDC now refers to Intimate Partner Violence to cover all the subtypes of sexual abuse. <\/span><\/p>\n The<\/b> CDC<\/b><\/a> shows that 1 in 4 women and 1 in 10 men have been a victim at least once in their lives. This includes being stalked by a partner<\/b>. Although, of course, sexual abuse also includes unwanted touch or pressure to perform certain sexual acts. <\/span><\/p>\n Physical abuse in a relationship can include hitting or shoving as well as throwing things. Of the forms of abuse in a relationship, this is the most likely to lead to depression, anxiety and even PTSD. You can also usually connect it to substance abuse, both for the victim and the abuser. <\/span><\/p>\n As this<\/b> Rehabspot article<\/b><\/a> explains, victims and abusers are 11 times more likely to be involved in violence on substance abuse days<\/b>. It makes sense if you consider that people turn to substances to numb both the physical and emotional pain. <\/span><\/p>\n Other less well-known physical abuse examples include force-feeding, choking, restraining and dangerous driving. <\/b>Basically, anything that can harm you physically or puts your life in danger is part of the physical types of abuse in a relationship. <\/span><\/p>\n We all have needs and boundaries to help us function as healthy and grounded human beings. Intellectual boundaries are often overlooked, especially in a relationship where the lines can get blurred. <\/span>Nevertheless, everyone has the right to their own thoughts or ideas.<\/b><\/p>\n A typical example could be if a spouse stops you from going to church or your spiritual meetings. Perhaps they make you feel stupid for having these beliefs? <\/span><\/p>\n No matter what your beliefs are, as long as you’re not hurting anyone, you are free to hold them. Otherwise, you simply crush your self-esteem. <\/span><\/p>\n Different types of abuse under the intellectual theme could also fall into the digital world. For instance, <\/span>your spouse could belittle you by attacking your opinions publicly<\/b>. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/span>What is abuse in a relationship?<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/span>8 different types of abuse in a relationship<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"Care](\"https:\/\/image.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/New-Project-2022-07-13T222110.609.jpg\")
<\/p>\n1. Emotional abuse<\/b><\/h3>\n
Related Reading:<\/i><\/b> 6 Strategies to Deal With Emotional Abuse in a Relationship<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/pre>\n
2. Sexual abuse<\/b><\/h3>\n
Related Reading: <\/i><\/b>Sexual Abuse in Marriage – Is There Really Such a Thing?<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/pre>\n
3. Physical abuse<\/b><\/h3>\n
Related Reading:<\/i><\/b> The Effects of Physical Abuse<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/pre>\n
4. Intellectual abuse <\/b><\/h3>\n