5. They can be perpetrators of emotional abuse.
Mentally withdrawing often goes unrecognized as emotional abuse simply because of its silent nature. It shows up as pouting, spending hours on the computer or watching TV, not speaking for days, giving “the look,” and refusing to share or listen to feelings. Refusing to give compliments is a nearly universal form of emotional abuse.
Emotional abuse follows the same cycle as verbal and physical abuse:
- Buildup of tension
- Release of tension in the abusive action
- Loving respite where everything is wonderfully OK
However, the family may not even be aware that they were slimed by the sexual addict. Instead, the addict’s constant vacillating between showing some concern and then being emotionally absent keeps the family in a state of confusion and stress.
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