The main difference between emotional and physical abuse is that emotional abuse is a means of control in that emotions are used to embarrass, shame, scare, criticize, blame or manipulate another person, make contact while physical abuse intentionally inflicts injury or trauma on another person .
Some people think that emotional abuse is less harmful than physical abuse, but that's not true. Both are equally harmful and no less harmful than the other.
Key areas covered
1. What is emotional abuse - definition, characteristics 2. What is physical abuse - definition, characteristics 3. Difference between emotional and physical abuse - comparison of the main differences
key terms
Emotional abuse, physical abuse
What is Emotional Abuse?
Emotional abuse is a form of abuse that is more emotional than physical in nature. It is a way of control by using emotions to embarrass, shame, scare, criticize, blame, or manipulate others. Emotional abuse may be hard to spot, but it's no less serious or harmful than physical abuse. Emotional abuse can affect a person's self-esteem and affect their mental health. In addition, emotional abuse is common during dates and marriages, but it can also occur in family relationships, friends, or work colleagues.
We can call a relationship emotionally abusive if there is constant use of offensive words and harassing behavior. When your partner is emotionally abusive, they can make you feel like you are not good enough; he or she may be constantly threatening to end the relationship unless you do what they say. He or she can also threaten you with harming yourself or others if you end the relationship. Some of these behaviors can be:
Verbal abuse - berating, yelling at, or insulting you
Scare - you feel threatened or threatened
Rejection - Always rejecting your ideas and opinions
Disparities - telling yourself that you are stupid, berating yourself, blaming yourself for everything, embarrassing yourself publicly
Isolation - prevents you from contacting your friends and family and restricting your freedom of movement.
Gaslighting - Making yourself doubt yourself by manipulating the truth
Emotional abuse can go hand in hand with other forms of abuse, such as physical abuse or sexual abuse. However, it is important to remember that other forms of abuse are not required to be considered abuse. Emotional abuse is a serious problem in itself.
What is physical abuse?
Physical abuse can be defined as intentionally injuring or injuring another person through physical contact. Children are often the victims of physical abuse, particularly through attempts by parents to discipline them through corporal punishment. Physical abuse can also occur in a romantic / sexual relationship, that is, in dating or in marriage. However, no one - spouse, romantic partner, parent or family member - has the right to abuse another person.
In a relationship, physical abuse can begin gradually, usually with a slap or a nudge, but this type of abuse can intensify the time. Physical abuse can include acts such as hitting, choking, hair-pulling, shaking, hitting, kicking, and any type of gun injury. It can also include threats to harm you or loved ones.
Sometimes the perpetrator can even blame the victim for doing or saying something that leads to violent behavior. The abusive behavior can also be due to alcohol or drug use, stress, or frustration. Whatever the reason, physical abuse is a criminal act, it is important that the victim seek help.
Difference Between Emotional and Physical Abuse
definition
Emotional abuse is a way of control by using emotions to embarrass, shame, scare, criticize, blame, or manipulate another person, while physically abusing another person through physical contact is intentional injury or trauma inflicts.
Actions
Emotional abuse includes verbal abuse and bullying behavior, while physical abuse includes physical injury and acts of violence. However, this does not mean that emotional abuse is any less serious or less harmful than physical abuse.
diploma
The main difference between emotional and physical abuse is that emotional abuse is a way of control in that emotions are used to embarrass, shame, scare, criticize, blame, or manipulate another while intentionally causing injury or trauma from physical injury to another person. Both are equally harmful and no less harmful than the other.
Reference:
1. “What is physical abuse?” Abuse and violence | ReachOut Australia, available here . 2. Gordon, Sherri. "How to recognize and deal with emotional abuse." Verywell Mind, Sept. 17, 2020,available here .
