Mentally and emotionally abusive relationships can be very difficult to end, because of the psychologically crippling aspects to maintaining involvement, particularly if it is a long-term relationship. If you know that you want to end the relationship, be aware of a few issues before you take action and consider carrying out a few actions.
Develop Support Networks
Having a support network in place before you've decided that you want to get out of a mentally or emotionally abusive relationship is crucial. Friends and family members can provide emotional respite and perspective and can help you with different steps, whether it is moving out of a shared residence or providing a shoulder to cry on when you need to talk. Support networks can also include therapists, trusted coworkers or domestic violence support groups. If you've been emotionally isolated by your spouse or partner, develop other relationships to provide you the motivation and support that you will need to end the relationship.
Use Clear Communication
To end a mentally or emotionally abusive relationship, communicate your desires to your spouse or partner in a clear, firm manner. Relationships are a two-way street, and you have also played a role; as an article by Dr. Phil points out, you need to change your own routine or behavior and tell your partner you will no longer take the abuse. Clear communication and sticking to what you say when you state that you want to end the relationship, instead of making threats and then backing out, are important steps in ending a mentally abusive relationship and salvaging your self-esteem.
Realize They Won't Change
Maintaining a realistic attitude is an important step in getting out of any abusive relationship. As an article by Women's Health magazine points out, many people stay in abusive relationships too long because they hope their partner will change. One way of developing a realistic attitude is through self-examination and introspection, a process that can be aided by individual therapy. The therapy must focus on the issues that attracted you to the abuser in the first place, because these patterns tend to be repeated and must be addressed to change in future relationships.
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