Emotional abuse is said to be worse than physical abuse. Words hurt more and continue to stay in your thoughts and on your mind even after the bruises have healed. How do you "heal" emotionally? When a person is attacked emotionally, they are broken down, worn down and literly drained. The words come back to her out of the blue and without warning, when it's quiet, while she is driving, while she is doing the dishes, anytime day or night, for no reason at all. He puts her down---makes her feel bad about herself---calls her names---makes her think she is crazy---humiliates her---makes her feel guilty---play's mind games---gives her the silent treatment---belittles her ability and competency---insults her---repeatedly making and breaking promises. These are just a few of the different ways that people endure emotional abuse everyday by their partner. You begin to believe what is said to you after it is repeated to you everyday over time. Your self-esteem and self-confidence are low, you believe that you are nothing, no good, stupid, ugly, worthless and that nobody else will want to be with you. Your partner is with you and you don't want to be alone because you can't survive, of course this is what he has told you, so you stay. This is why he does it, so that you will stay, when in fact the truth of the matter is that he cannot survive alone. He has to be in control of someone, he needs to be in charge and he can't do this alone. If you are not there to push around what would he do? These men have low self-esteem-they need to control their partner to feel that they are in control. Hurting you makes them feel superior, sronger. This is why, if women who are in this situation or friends/family of these women know the signs and what to look for and are educated to every aspect of the abuse then hopfully they can get out, or be helped to get out of it before it gets too severe. I hope that if they read this information and see that this is what is happening to them and that it has and is happening to others, that they will realize they are not alone and they get out of the relationship as others have, and go on to have normal, healthy, happy relationships. Do not believe it when he apologizes or promises not to do it again. If he really meant it and he was really sorry he would not do it to you over and over again, would he?