What is psychological harassment? 22 alarm signals
Psychological harassment, unfortunately, is a phenomenon that can occur in relationships, but also between friends, family or at work or school. The psychological harasser acts in accordance with his interests, and usually blames, annoys and causes fear to his victim.
Suffering psychological harassment is one of the worst experiences that can be experienced by the human being, and many studies show that psychological harassment has very negative effects for individuals: deterioration of physical and psychological health, anxiety, problems sleeping, lack of concentration ... In this article we will discuss what is harassment psychological and what are the warning signs that characterize it.
- Maybe you're interested: "The 30 signs of psychological abuse in a relationship"
What is psychological harassment?
Although we associate harassment with physical harm, There is a very common and less visible form of abuse: psychological, moral or emotional harassment. The dictionary of the Spanish language defines this phenomenon as "a humiliating and disqualifying treatment towards an individual, with the aim of psychically destabilizing". In other words, what the psychological harasser intends is to damage the dignity and moral integrity of the victim.
But what characterizes psychological harassment is that it is not a punctual action , but that acts of harassment are repeated over time and progressively, which causes the victim a great impotence, uncertainty and a loss of self-esteem and self-confidence. In extreme cases, continued psychological harassment can end in suicide.
Its consequences
Psychological harassment can end up causing serious mental problems for the victim, because despite being silent, it is devastating for the person who suffers it. Low self-esteem is a key factor in this type of phenomenon , because in addition to becoming a consequence, it can also be a cause that causes the victim to end up in a situation of learned helplessness.
The person victim of psychological harassment can suffer different problems such as stress, anxiety, depression and even addiction to psychoactive substances, and, in many cases, is not fully aware that she is being humiliated.
Signs of psychological harassment
One of the most frequent scenarios of this type of violence or abuse are intimate relationships (like the couple) but can occur in other situations, for example, in school (Bullying) or at work (mobbing). Although the figure of the stalker is usually associated with males, studies show that if all forms of this harmful behavior are taken into account, both men and women harass each other with equal rates. In verbal harassment verbal offenses, threats, intimidation and criticism appear constant, as well as more subtle tactics such as intimidation, shame and manipulation.
But what are the signs of psychological harassment? And what are its characteristics? If you are going through this situation, below you can find a list of signs that could indicate that you are suffering this type of abuse:
1. It only focuses on the negative and humbles you
Especially in the case of the couple, the stalker focuses on the negative things and underestimates the positive ones. Just point out the flaws and despise you .
1. Publicly humiliates you
Psychological harassment includes humiliation and ridicule in public, although the stalker is sometimes not aware of the damage , because he does it as gracieta. However, although there is not always an intention, it does have serious consequences for the victim.
3. Humiliates you through the network
A more or less recent form of psychological harassment is what it is known as cyberbullying , which arises with the emergence of new technologies, and is nothing more than psychological harassment through the network.
- Related article: "Cyberbullying: analyzing the characteristics of virtual harassment"
4. It causes you discomfort
Being close to that person causes you discomfort or anxiety, even to avoid it. This behaviour it is an attempt to avoid unpleasant situations .
5. They accuse you without reason
Many times your words have no basis, and the harasser can accuse for things you're not guilty of . For example, for the behavior of children who misbehave, to blame you.
6. Threatening to hurt you
Although physical violence does not have to occur in this type of harassment, if it is frequent that the harasser threatens to hurt the person and the loved ones, for example, the pet, family, child ...
7. Your self-esteem suffers
Self-esteem is the first thing that suffers , because the stalker, in some cases, pretends to damage your dignity and your person in a conscious way. In the couple, it can make you feel like you're worthless.
8. Confused behavior
In close relationships, these people they do not always seem that way (that is, cruel and inconsiderate) because sometimes they can be even affectionate. These behaviors can confuse you.
9. Damage to property objects
Physical damage it is not carried out towards the person, but towards other entities . For example, the mobile, by throwing it and breaking it against the wall.
10. Your opinion does not count
Especially in case of workplace harassment, your opinion he has no voice or vote and you are despised . Also, the stalker or stalkers will not let you express yourself.
11. They treat you differently
In cases like bullying, you are isolated from the group and it makes you feel different in front of others.
12. Return everyone against you
When the way of acting aims to harm your dignity, it also tries to prevent others from respecting you. For example, talking bad about you .
13. Use teasing and sarcasm
The harasser can use sarcasm or ridicule to demoralize you or make you feel bad about yourself .
14. It's been a while since you feel like this
Psychological harassment it's not something that happens overnight , but it happens in a progressive and prolonged way in time. That is why it is so harmful, because the discomfort becomes chronic.
15. Blackmail you
Especially in the case of the couple, the psychological harasser uses threatening phrases like the following: "if you do that, do not blame me if I leave you". That makes you feel bad. This is a common form of emotional blackmail .
- Maybe you're interested: "Emotional blackmail: a powerful form of manipulation in the couple"
Signs of workplace harassment
A very habitual form of harassment, and that can have different and peculiar characteristics, is the mobbing or labor harassment, that can come from co-workers or from the company . These are some of the signs that may appear when this situation manifests:
16. They send you impossible tasks
At work, to destabilize you and make you feel untrained, you can assign goals or projects with unattainable or draining deadlines.
17. Great demands
But not only can deadlines be a problem, but they can send you tasks that do not fit your abilities or that require a lot of effort and work to make you feel incompetent.
18. Labor discrimination
You suffer discrimination at the workplace respect to the rest of his companions . For example, they can make a woman feel bad about pregnancy.
19. They take away responsibility
They take away responsibilities so that you feel unhelpful and get bored , which can cause boreout.
- Related article: "Boreout syndrome: boredom at work"
20. Despise your achievements
From the company do not value the good work, and in this way, do not feel comfortable in your professional space. You are constantly underestimating .
21. Rumors are used
Rumors or falsehoods spread by the company to mensopreciarte and damage your reputation and image professionalism
22. Your professional development is blocked
If the objective is that you leave the company voluntarily, They can block your development or professional career so you do not feel fulfilled and leave the company.
- You can delve into the bullying at work in our article: "Mobbing: psychological harassment at work"
