Psychological or mental violence involves intentional harm to a person’s mental wellbeing. Experiences of domestic violence or violence in a close relationship almost always involve psychological violence.
Psychological violence may include, for example:
- subjugation
- criticism
- name-calling
- control
- restriction of social contact and contact with people close to you
- morbid jealousy
- isolation
- not letting a person sleep
- breaking things
- harming pets
- or threatening any of the above.
Psychological violence also includes threats of suicide, threats of imprisonment or psychiatric treatment, and continuously accusing the other person for things they have not done.
Identifying psychological violence is often difficult. Recognising psychological violence may be difficult because the perpetrator may behave friendly and courteously with other persons but become completely different when there are no outsiders present.
How to tell psychological violence from a disagreement?
Everyone has the right to express their opinions equally and without fear. Disagreements in close relationships are a normal part of life, but any violence is not. Disagreements and arguments are situations in which both parties can freely and equally express their own opinions and points of view. Having to be careful or feeling afraid, threatened or repressed in the situation are signs of violence.
Consequences of psychological violence
Domestic violence often causes feelings of shame and guilt to the person who has experienced violence. The person experiencing violence may be ashamed of the situation both on their own behalf and on behalf of their partner.
The self-image of the victim of psychological violence may be distorted or replaced by the image created by the perpetrator. The perpetrator presents a view that the victim is a helpless, unsuccessful and weak person who needs the perpetrator to survive in life. As such, if violence continues, the victim may gradually lose contact with their own needs, emotions and will.
Many psychological consequences, such as depression, self-destructive thoughts, feelings of despair, anxiety, nervousness, lack of initiative, panic symptoms, reduced functional capacity and memory problems, are also common among people who have experienced violence.
The perpetrator of violence may blame the other person for their violent behaviour, even though the perpetrator themselves decided to use violence. Violence is always the perpetrator’s choice. The victim is not responsible for any violence committed by the other person.
Contact Nollalinja for help with experiences and threats of psychological violence.