It is not uncommon for employees to be psychologically abused by their bosses. Abuse can range from verbal abuse to threats of physical violence. It is common for abusers to have an office culture where the abuse is normalized and encouraged. Many employers do not recognize or understand the signs of psychological abuse.
People often don’t know what to do when they see a man being psychologically abused in the workplace. I’ll share what you should and shouldn’t do when you visit a man being psychologically used in the workplace.
Sometimes, when people hear about psychological abuse, they think only women get abused in the workplace. This couldn’t be further from the truth. If you work in a male-dominated industry, you might wonder, “Is this man just a jerk?” It could be because you don’t understand how to deal with this behavior.
“I was abused as a child, and now I’m stuck here trying to fix my problems,” says one man who was sexually and emotionally abused. He is not alone. Many men have been psychologically used by their mothers and fathers in childhood or have been victims of other types of childhood emotional abuse. This man has struggled with severe depression for over 40 years, and he shares his story with us because he wants you to know that you are not alone in your suffering.
What is psychologically abusive behavior?
Psychologically abusive behavior is any behavior that creates a hostile environment or causes psychological harm to someone. Abuse is any behavior that causes emotional distress or makes the victim feel unsafe, threatened, or powerless.
Psychological abuse is often seen in intimate relationships. It can come from verbal, nonverbal, or physical aggression. For example, you’re being psychologically abused if you’re constantly criticized or belittled. Psychological abuse can also happen in the workplace.
There are several types of psychological abuse.
Verbal abuse is defined as negative talk or comments that create a negative atmosphere in the workplace. It can include yelling, name-calling, blaming, threatening, and insulting. Nonverbal abuse includes things like sarcasm, put-downs, and intimidation.
Physical abuse is violent behavior, including hitting, pushing, slapping, kicking, and choking. It can be more physical than verbal and can be directed at you or your coworkers. It can be more subtle than verbal abuse but creates a negative atmosphere.
What is psychological abuse?
Psychological abuse refers to any emotional manipulation that causes harm. Psychological abuse can be verbal, physical, or sexual. Verbal abuse includes name-calling, insulting, belittling, threatening, intimidating, and yelling. Physical abuse includes hitting, punching, kicking, scratching, slapping, shoving, restraining, grabbing, pinching, and throwing. Sexual abuse includes exposing private parts, forcing sex acts, and sexual harassment. It is important to understand that psychological abuse doesn’t have to involve physical violence. It can also include subtle threats of violence, humiliation, and blackmail.
How do you know if you’re being harassed?
People often don’t know what to do when they see a man being psychologically abused in the workplace. I’ll share what you should and shouldn’t do when you visit a man being psychologically used in the workplace.
Sometimes, people don’t realize that they’re being abused until they see the effects on the person’s life. They’ll see the results in their performance, health, or personal relationships. This is when they realize they’re being psychologically abused.
Some people think they’re being abused because their boss is tough. That’s not the case. When a boss is abusive, he’s usually trying to control the person and make them feel bad about themselves. If you see someone being abused by their boss, it’s time to act.
What is sexual harassment?
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission defines sexual harassment as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination.
How to deal with an emotionally abusive man
This is a tough subject for many people, but there is a simple way to identify if you are being psychologically abused and what you can do about it.
First, it is usually very obvious if you’re experiencing a pattern of emotional abuse. If you’re experiencing this, you need to take action. Most abusers won’t deny they are doing something wrong and will almost always give excuses.
Second, there is no shame in seeking help. No one should be expected to go it alone. You can talk to a counselor, therapist, or another trustworthy person.
Frequently Asked Questions Psychologically Abused
Q: Why are you doing this?
A: I know women who have been psychologically abused in their workplace. I want to help them get through this.
Q: How long have you been doing this?
A: I started a year ago when I was in high school.
Q: What do you do to cope with it?
A: I have to look out for myself. I don’t want this to happen to me again.
Q: Who do you talk to?
A: My family. They are supportive and loving.
Q: What advice can you give them?
A: I tell them they need to keep me close to them and ensure I get help if I need it.
Q: Have you ever had a relationship with anyone?
A: Yes. He was married, and he cheated on his wife.
Q: What makes a person who does this kind of thing succeed?
A: There are two different types of abusers. One type of abuser is very charming and has an extremely good personality. He can make you believe he is your friend and has your best interest at heart. The other type of abuser is more cold-hearted.
Top 3 Myths About Psychologically Abused
1. Men are not victims of workplace abuse.
2. Psychologically abused men are usually older than 40 years of age.
3. Psychologically abused men have problems with anger, rage, and aggression.
Conclusion
This is another one of those situations where men are expected to suck it up. It’s a topic that has been discussed for years and will continue to be addressed. But to avoid being a victim of this behavior, you must be aware of it and take appropriate action. As I mentioned, you may not be able to control the other person’s actions, but you can manage your reactions. So if you see someone doing something that makes you uncomfortable, try to remain calm and take the appropriate steps to end the situation.
