Emotional abuse is a hot topic nowadays, and apt to be inaccurately and over-used. But for the real victims of emotional abuse, this increase in societal awareness hasn’t come a moment too soon. Despite it’s prevalence in the media, however, it has been my experience that the majority of people (some victims included) don’t perceive hurtful behavior as abuse, and an even harder time understanding the devastating impact it has on the recipient. Depression, isolation, low self-esteem, CPTSD, chronic illness (from adrenal burnout) and learned helplessness are common signs/symptoms of emotional abuse. If she seeks support and opens up about the abuse, she may be further traumatized by people or even communities that reject her claims and effectively side with her abuser, which is unbelievably painful and difficult to bounce back from. It has been for me. I would do anything to spare another person this sort of pain and subsequent hopelessness. You are not alone.