Difference Between Physical, Emotional Abuse

Before defining any types of abuse, let's first define abuse itself. Abuse occurs any time that one person assumes some type of unwanted control over another person, whether it be direct or implied. This can occur in many forms. For instance, there is sexual abuse, financial abuse, child abuse, elder abuse and an entire collection of forms of abuse.

The line between physical and emotional abuse is crossed the moment that physical contact is made in a harmful manner. Though emotional abuse can occur without physical abuse, physical abuse is always accompanied by emotional abuse.

Emotional abuse occurs when one person does or says harmful things to another person. This may happen in the form of coercion, name calling, belittling in some other form, neglect and many other ways. Emotional abuse is often hard to spot or define because it often does not leave physical evidence. This fact can leave the victim feeling as if he or she is not really being abused, when in fact they are. Society often does not recognize this type of abuse as serious since its parameters are not well defined and the evidence of the abuse if often unseen.

The very act of emotional abuse is what perpetuates the cycle. Any type of emotional abuse has an impact on the self esteem of the victim. Often, they come to a point where they may even be convinced that they are worthless without their abuser. They may feel that they are incapable of handling situations on their own. One of the most heartbreaking aspects of this type of abuse is the merging of self with another person. If the abuse goes on long enough, the victim begins to view themselves as the abusers for, their very identity based on the statements of the abuser.

Physical abuse is something that happens when physical contact is made in a harmful way. People who have a history of being abused as a child may have difficulty recognizing abuse as an adult. For them, this may seem to be a normal way of life. Those who have been emotionally abused are more likely than those who haven't to stay in physically abusive situations.

The extent of the abuse may vary. Sexual abuse involves touching of private areas and is not only physically damaging but can have long term emotional repercussions. Physical abuse in the form of violent acts can lead the victim to live their life as a victim instead of a survivor or it can lead them to use violence themselves as an answer to disputes.

The commonality between physical and emotional abuse of any kind is control. The abuser seeks to have control over the victim or their possessions in some form. They use abusive methods to get what they want. This usually occurs when the abuser has a low self esteem and feels the need to prove themselves by using a certain level of control.