| Verbal abuse in many ways is built into our culture. | | | | prevail. |
| One-upsmanship, defeating, putting down, topping, | | | | 12. One feels pushed around, not in control of one's |
| countering, manipulating, criticizing, over powering and | | | | feels or desires. |
| intimidating are accepted as fair game by many. | | | | 13. Unable to get off redundantly spinning circles of |
| When these power plays are enacted and denied by | | | | thoughts prompted by confusion. |
| the perpetrator, confusion results. | | | | 14. What seemed clear becomes muddled at the |
| This crazy making experience results in the following: | | | | next conversation. |
| 1. Feeling temporarily thrown off balance and | | | | 15. An uneasy, weird feeling of emptiness--feeling |
| momentarily unable to right oneself. | | | | disconnected from self and others. |
| 2. Feeling lost, not knowing where to turn, searching | | | | 16. A strong wish to get away, yet feeling unable to |
| aimlessly. | | | | move, unable to find safety or solace. |
| 3. Being caught off guard. | | | | 17. One is befuddled, not able to reconcile or resolve |
| 4. Feeling disconnected, confused, disoriented. | | | | feelings or issues. |
| 5. Feeling off balance, as if the rug had been pulled | | | | 18. Feeling vaguely suspicious that something is |
| from under one's feet. | | | | wrong. |
| 6. Receiving double messages but somehow unable | | | | 19. Feeling the one's subjective world has become |
| or fearful to ask for clarification or asking for | | | | chaotic. |
| clarification and not getting it. | | | | Healing the wounds of emotional abuse is possible. |
| 7. Feeling generally 'bugged' by the simple presence | | | | Talk therapy focuses on finding better coping |
| of a person. | | | | mechanisms for symptoms and is inadequate to |
| 8. To discover that one was mistaken in one's | | | | uncover the emotional pain, and heal the trauma |
| evaluation of where one stood or what it was all | | | | trapped in muscles and tissue. A multifaceted healing |
| about. | | | | process specifically focused on the various forms of |
| 9. Feeling totally unprepared for a broken promise or | | | | emotional abuse and diligent work is the most |
| unfulfilled expectation. | | | | effective; wherein the survivor can replenish their |
| 10. Experiencing the shattering of an important | | | | emotional and spiritual identity and empowerment. |
| 'dream.' | | | | Reference: You're Driving Me Crazy by Dr. George R. |
| 11. Where one assumed goodwill, ill will seems to | | | | Bach and Ronald M. Deutsch, 1980. |