EMOTIONAL ABUSE

Identifying whether someone is emotionally abusing you can be difficult, as it's not always as obvious as physical abuse. However, here are some indicators that could point to possible emotional abuse:

Manipulation: The person constantly manipulates your emotions, makes you feel guilty, or blackmails you to get what they want. Use tactics like silence, indifference, or emotional punishment to control you.

  Constant humiliation and criticism: He constantly and offensively criticizes you, belittles you or ridicules your achievements, ideas or appearance. It makes you feel like you're not enough or that you're always wrong.

Excessive control: The person tries to control all aspects of his life, from his personal relationships to his daily decisions. It dictates what to do, how to feel or how to act, limiting your autonomy and freedom.

  Isolation: The person tries to keep you away from your social or family circle, devalues your relationships and makes you depend exclusively on them. It limits your contact with friends, family or loved ones, generating a feeling of loneliness.

Contempt and lack of empathy: The person shows constant disregard for your feelings, needs, or difficulties. He doesn't show genuine interest in your emotional well-being and minimizes your problems.

  Emotional instability: The person may have extreme mood swings, being warm and gentle one moment and hostile or cruel the next. This creates confusion and makes you feel insecure in the relationship.

  If you experience several of these behaviors on a recurring basis, it is important to consider the possibility that you are experiencing emotional abuse. Remember that you are not alone and seeking the support of friends, family or mental health professionals can be essential to help you get out of this situation and regain your emotional well-being.

A.D.

Narcissism is the term used in psychology to describe a preoccupation with oneself. It is a Greek term taken from the name of the mythological Narcissus, who fell in love with his own image and was condemned to die because he did not leave her. A narcissist is a person who exhibits a high level of selfishness, vanity, and pride. He views everything from a “how does this affect me?” perspective. Empathy is impossible for the narcissist because their only perspective is one centered on themselves. In psychology, narcissism is seen as a broad spectrum of conditions ranging from normal to pathological.

The Bible says that we were born sinners from the fall (Romans 5:12). This means that we are born with only sinful tendencies and no ability to be “good” or righteous on our own. What we call “human nature” the Bible calls “flesh” (Galatians 5:19-21). Part of our sinful nature is a total focus on self. This focus, also called “egocentricity,” is how babies see and experience the world. Narcissism is like self-centeredness in that the adult still relates to the world like a child, a perspective that impedes personal growth and relationships.

Psychological theories about narcissism suggest that the narcissistic person uses defense mechanisms to idealize himself so he doesn't have to face his own mistakes (sin) or failures (fallen state). The diagnosis of narcissistic personality disorder describes a narcissistic person's behavior patterns as being arrogant, unempathetic, manipulative, and jealous; he also possesses a sense of entitlement and grandiosity. From a biblical perspective, it is clear that these heart conditions are due to pride, which is sin (Proverbs 16:18). The Bible tells us, “Let each one not look to his own interests, but each one also to the things of others” (Philippians 2:4). The narcissist routinely disobeys this command.

Pride is one reason people don't feel they need a savior or forgiveness. Pride tells them that they are “good” people or have a “good” heart. Pride also blinds people to their own personal responsibility and responsibility for sin. Narcissism (pride) masks sin, while the gospel reveals the truth that leads to remorse for sin. Narcissistic traits can be dangerous because, at worst, they will lead a person to destroy others to satisfy the lust of the flesh (2 Timothy 3:2-8).

The Bible addresses issues related to narcissism as part of our sinful natural selves (Romans 7:5). We are slaves of the flesh until we place our faith in Jesus, who sets the captives free (Romans 7:14-25; John 8:34-36). Believers are then slaves of righteousness when the Holy Spirit begins the transforming work of sanctification in their lives. However, believers must surrender to the Lord and humble themselves to have God's perspective instead of a selfish perspective (Mark 8:34). The process of sanctification is about moving away from the self (narcissism) and turning to Jesus.

All people are narcissists until they learn to cover it up and get along in the world or until they recognize their own flesh and repent of their sins. The Lord helps people out of narcissism when they receive Jesus as their Savior (Romans 3:19-26). The believer has the power to begin to love others as himself (Mark 12:31).

SOURCES: @DESPERTARDIVINO

https://www.gotquestions.org/Portugues/narcisismo.html