AAC - Relationships - Difficult Relationships & Challenging Dynamics - Emotional Abuse or Manipulation - Q4 (Alessandra)

How can I protect my mental health?

Transcript

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Being in a relationship where emotional abuse or manipulation is happening is exhausting and it can be hard to even name what's going on as it doesn't always look obvious and can show up as someone constantly putting you down, making you doubt yourself, or twisting situations until you feel like you're the problem. And over time that weighs your mental health down significantly. And one of the most important things you can do is to start trusting your instincts again. As manipulation, especially the kind that makes you question your own memory or perception, is designed to disconnect you from your own sense of reality. So if something consistently feels wrong, that feeling is worth paying attention to. A simple but powerful habit is keeping a private record, a few notes on your phone of moments that leave you feeling confused, belittled, or doubting yourself, because patterns become much clearer when you can actually see them. And think about who in your life you can be honest with, even just one person, as isolation is often part of how these dynamics work. So reconnecting with people who you know is genuinely protective. And consider whether there are any small boundaries you can start to hold and make sure you're keeping some space that's yours, whether that's time with a friend, a walk, or something you do just for you. In a situation where your sense of self has been chipped away at, reclaiming parts of your life matters more than it might seem and can support you in managing your own mental health and well-being. And if your mental health is really struggling or you're finding it hard to make sense of what's been happening, speaking to a therapist can help you process things without judgment. And if you feel unsafe or the emotional abuse is connected to other controlling behaviours, then you don't need to wait. You can speak to your GP or contact the National Domestic Abuse Helpline who are free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day. And you can refer back to the app's resources for further support around emotional abuse manipulation. And if you're thinking about harming yourself or feeling safe, then please seek urgent help by contacting your local emergency service or a crisis helpline.