Often women come to us or call and say, "He doesn't hit me, but I feel so terrible about myself and is tense when he is around. I can't say or do anything right." this woman is being sabotaged in her relationship. She cannot ever do anything right because he is living with someone who will constantly change expectations to be sure she doesn't. He is not so interested in relating to someone as having the dominant place in the relationship.
Being verbally abusive does not leave the same physical bruises or scars, but is just as painful as physical abuse. It can actually be more complicated to recover from as a result of the crazy making behaviors involved.
This book explains these behaviors as a person living in either of of two worlds: a power-over world thought,or a belief system based on personal power. Power-over is always looking for control or dominance. Personal power focuses on mutuality and co-creation. To be in a relationship with a power-over individual is to be constantly the scapegoat.
Evans also discusses that physically violent relationship begin with verbal abuse. It examines how women can respond and prevent further abuse.
Several of the women who have attended support groups have said after reading Evans' book; "This is me. I never thought of myself as a battered woman, but I knew something in my relationship was not right."
Verbal Abuse
Crazy Making
Roles Children Play
Emotional Abuse
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