ABUSE

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RESOURCES

(PSYCHOLOGICAL & EMOTIONAL ABUSE)

Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner.  Domestic violence can be physical, sexual, emotional, economic, or psychological actions or threats of actions that influence another person. This includes any behaviors that intimidate, manipulate, humiliate, isolate, frighten, terrorize, coerce, threaten, blame, hurt, injure, or wound someone.

 

NARCISSISTIC CYCLE OF ABUSE

The Cycle of Abuse is coined of “tension building, acting-out, reconciliation/honeymoon, and calm,” is useful in most abusive relationships. However, when a narcissist is the abuser, the cycle looks different.

Narcissism changes the back end of the cycle because the narcissist is constantly self-centered and unwilling to admit fault.  Their need to be superior, right, or in charge limits the possibility of any real reconciliation. Instead, it is frequently “the abused” who desperately tries for appeasement while the narcissist plays the victim. This switchback tactic emboldens the narcissist behavior even more, further convincing them of their faultlessness. Any threat to their authority repeats the cycle again.

IMMEDIATE MEDICAL RESOURCES

If you, or someone you know is in immediate danger of harming him/herself or others, Call 911.

  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1–800–273-TALK (8522).
  • RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) is the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization. RAINN created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline (800.656.HOPE, online.rainn.org (English)  or  rainn.org/es (Spanish))
  • The Crisis Text Line can be accessed by texting BRAVE to 741–741, or visit our Resources page for more mental health support organizations.