How to get out of an abusive relationship -- with your BF, father or otherwise.
He tells you that you'll never be good enough or that you'll never amount to anything. He calls you names, criticizes your body or says that you're stupid. And he makes you question yourself and your value. Sound familiar? If these words, actions or circumstances are coming from the man you love -- whether he's your boyfriend, your father or another man in your life -- you may be the victim of emotional abuse.
Unlike physical or sexual abuse, there are no scars or physically painful acts that you can point to as harmful. But emotional abuse is just as painful, scarring and damaging to your self-esteem -- and you, in all your amazingness, deserve sooo much better. Unfortunately, emotionally abusive relationships can leave you feeling powerless, even believing that he's right when he says you're not a valuable, good person.
But the most important thing you can do is realize your worth -- just like Summer (a.k.a. Christina) did when she decided to leave the sex industry and take back her life once and for all. Take a cue from Christina and her amazing bravery and allow yourself the right to live in an environment where your worth is acknowledged and respected. It's the best gift you can ever give yourself.
And deciding that you don't deserve this kind of relationship is the hardest part. But once you do decide to recognize your fabulousness and get help, just know that there IS support. That step will be all the more easy if you reach out for help and support. Here are a few resources:
National Council on Child Abuse and Family Violence:
1-800-222-2000
National Resource Center on Domestic Violence:
1-800-537-2238
National Women's Resource Center:
1-800-354-8824
Need more signs that you might be in an emotionally abusive relationship? Check to see if any of these apply to you:
- He makes you feel like you're always wrong or everything's your fault.
- He makes you think that you are of no value in the relationship.
- You feel like you're intruding when you ask how his day was.
- He says you're fat, stupid, ugly and no one wants or likes you.
- He says you can't handle life without him.
- He makes you feel like you can't try anything new.
- You feel like you wouldn't be anyone without him.
