Emotional abuse is the manipulation of an individual by another person through verbal aggression, intimidation, and humiliation. The abuser aims to diminish another person’s sense of identity, dignity and self-worth; and which often results in anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts or behaviors, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Emotional abuse can occur in any type of relationship, including couples, friends, and employer-employee relations. It is quite difficult to recognize, as it can be subtle and insidious. Emotional abuse is often an endless cycle; it leaves the victim feeling trapped, but also too afraid to leave. Common techniques used by abusers are: Unrealistic Expectations ( e.g. expecting the victim to put everything aside and meet their needs, being dissatisfied no matter how hard the victim tries, criticizing the victim for not completing tasks according to their standards); Invalidation (undermining, dismissing, or distorting the victim’s perceptions or reality, accusing the victim of being "too sensitive," "too emotional," or "crazy”); Create Chaos (starting arguments for the sake of arguing, making confusing and contradictory statements (sometimes called "crazy-making”), having drastic mood changes or sudden emotional outbursts); Emotional Blackmail (manipulating and controlling the victim by making them feel guilty, public or private humiliation, using the victim’s fears, values, compassion, or other hot buttons to control the victim or the situation; Act Superior (blaming the victim for their mistakes and shortcomings, doubting everything said by the victim say and attempting to prove them wrong); Control and Isolate (controlling who the victim sees or spends time with, digital and physical monitoring, using jealousy and envy as a sign of love and to keep the victim from being with others). To escape from emotional abuse, it’s important to first seek professional counseling, try to cut all ties with the abuser, and surround oneself with supportive friends and family members to encourage healing.