Disguising verbal abuse as a joke again invalidates the victim's perceptions. Blocking and diverting allows the abuser to avoid discussing things that the victim believes are important. Accusing and blaming the victim unfairly can make the victim believe that she has caused the abuse. Trivializing the victim's thoughts, ideas and achievements can make the victim feel worthless. Undermining of the victim by the abuser erodes the patient's self confidence.
Every threat made by the abuser is a form of control.
The abuser plays on the victim's deepest fears. Forgetting promises, agreements or previous discussions prevents the victim from talking to the abuser about his behaviour. Abusive Anger allows the abuser to release tension and feel power over his victim but increases the victim's anxiety and feelings of failure. Adapted from The Verbally Abusive Relationship by Patricia Evans Emotional Abuse Emotional abuse has much in common with verbal abuse in that it is an attempt to hurt, attack or control the victim. The emotional abuser often uses verbal abuse to hurt the victim, but can use other means as well.