Every word you say is true,experience is the best teacher.Fear is the worst enemy in abusive relationships.If you are afraid then you shouldn't be there.

so so true.. but fear is a terrible enemy.. not everyone is emotionally strong.. they need the help of folks like us..

EEEERM I do agree...Nice post:)

thanks Michelle.. hope things are better...

i was an abused husband. i worked in a prison and my wife knew i would never lay a finger on her so she dumped boiling spinach on me and cups of steaming coffee in my crotch. abuse doesn't always mean the weaker partner is the abused one. she slept with new men each month, she threw a fifteen pound glass sculpture at my skull and she made me eat her food. (HA!) abuse isn't always a male initiated thing. it is simply evil intentions playing out. i will slug it out with any man, but women are too scary for me now.

it surely can go both ways- and I am sorry you got hurt this way.. I was just triggered by womens posts. emotional abuse especailly can be inflicted by the woman...but there are good ones out there buck.. one's waiting..

yes, my sister continues to protect her abusive husband out of fear, denial, and I think a distorted belief that it's what God wants her to do. Frustrating! God wants her to be happy and nothing less!!

hello- nice to see you- and thanks.. yes- the church has distorted God's will in a terrible way-I'm so sorry - prayers..

In many ways mental abuse is far worse than physical abuse. There are no physical scars, and no laws to prevent it, but the emotional scars that it leaves are deeper than those physical ones, and many times they're far more permanent.

yes- and they manifest themselves in so may ways- depression, low self esteem, frigidity.. the list goes on..

Abuse is indeed terrible - physical and emotional abuse. They both destroy the soul. I have been there myself when I was 15. My first g/f was kind abusive, emotionally and physically. Both left scars, but the emotional part I am still feeling. It is with me all the time, and it makes my current relationship difficult at times because I sometimes am a total moron when it comes to emotional things and intimacy.

thanks laura- if you think it might put your relationship at risk- get couselling- I know it's not your thing- but lasting love is important enough...

Well, I'm lucky to have a very understanding woman by my side :) She gave me the time I needed and was patient with me and she still understands if I can't do something right away :) So it's good now :)

thats great- I am just helping a dear friend through divorce because her husband was emotionally crippled and wouldn't get help.. don't wish that off on anyone...

True, that's hard. No one should have to go through this :-(

Another good post. Emotional abuse is, if anything, harder to escape from than physical abuse. People who are emotionally abused start to automatically accept blame. For reasonable things, for unreasonable things, and for things that could not possibly be their fault. Why? Because if this (their situation) is not their fault... if it is just random... then the life of the abused person does not make sense. If it doesn't make sense they might go crazy.

I've rambled quite long enough...

yes.. I've seen it far to often- like a whipped pup.. and it is such a tortuous job to rebuild such a life.. but you have to try.. blessings to you who are on the front line...