Abuse can be confusing because the lines between categories often blur—but having clear definitions and a checklist can help you recognize patterns and validate your experience. Here’s a breakdown of physical, emotional, psychological, and financial abuse, along with signs to watch for:
1. Physical Abuse
Definition:
Intentional use of force that causes pain, injury, or the threat of physical harm.
Checklist (examples):
- Hitting, slapping, punching, kicking, biting
- Grabbing, shoving, restraining, or strangulation
- Throwing objects at you or near you to intimidate
- Preventing you from leaving a room or house
- Destroying your belongings in anger
- Denying medical care or forcing substance use
2. Emotional Abuse
Definition:
Behaviors that aim to erode your self-worth, dignity, and emotional well-being through criticism, rejection, or neglect.
Checklist (examples):
- Name-calling, constant criticism, mocking
- Belittling your feelings (“you’re too sensitive”)
- Withholding affection or silent treatment as punishment
- Humiliating you privately or in front of others
- Making you feel unlovable, unwanted, or worthless
- Guilt-tripping or excessive blame
3. Psychological Abuse
Definition:
A deeper, more manipulative form of abuse that distorts reality, undermines your sense of self, and destabilizes your mind. Often overlaps with emotional abuse but focuses more on control and coercion.
Checklist (examples):
- Gaslighting (“that never happened,” “you’re imagining things”)
- Isolation (cutting you off from friends, family, or support systems)
- Intimidation (threats of harm to you, children, pets, or themselves)
- Extreme jealousy or monitoring (tracking your phone, emails, whereabouts)
- Mind games that make you doubt your memory, perception, or sanity
- Creating a climate of fear or unpredictability
4. Financial Abuse
Definition:
Controlling or exploiting your access to money, resources, or opportunities, making you dependent and unable to act freely.
Checklist (examples):
- Withholding money or refusing to share financial information
- Taking your earnings or property without permission
- Sabotaging your ability to work or study
- Forcing you to account for every penny spent
- Running up debts in your name or ruining your credit
- Giving you an “allowance” and demanding receipts
✨ Key distinction:
- Physical abuse harms your body.
- Emotional abuse attacks your feelings and self-worth.
- Psychological abuse manipulates your mind and sense of reality.
- Financial abuse traps you by limiting independence and resources.
They often overlap, but seeing them side by side can help you put words to experiences that may have felt confusing.
