Emotional Abuse Quiz

Disclaimer: This quiz is not a diagnostic tool or substitute for professional mental health advice. It is not meant to imply the prevalence of any mental or physical health issue(s).

Who is this emotional abuse quiz for?

This emotional abuse quiz is designed for anyone who wants to know if they’ve faced emotional abuse in a relationship. Knowing if you have experienced emotional abuse can help you understand your relationship and empower you to take steps toward healing and seeking support.

Answering this short, 10-question emotional abuse quiz will help establish how likely it is that you are in an emotionally abusive relationship. Note that this quiz is not a diagnostic tool and does not replace advice from a licensed mental health provider.

After taking this quiz, it may be useful to connect with a mental health professional who can support you in processing how your relationship may be emotionally abusive and provide you with tools to create boundaries and foster healthier relationships effectively.

How can taking this emotional abuse quiz be helpful?

Emotional abuse can be insidious and not as easily recognized as other kinds of abuse, like sexual assault or domestic violence. Taking this emotional abuse quiz, though, can help you recognize relationship dynamics, prioritize your emotional well-being, and take proactive steps toward healthier relationships. It can also validate your experiences by understanding the emotional abuse you may be experiencing. Finally, knowing the likelihood that your relationship is emotionally abusive can empower you to seek the right kind of support, such as social support or therapy. Since emotional abuse can occur in any relationship, it’s best to focus on one relationship at a time when taking this quiz. You can take it multiple times to assess if emotional abuse may be present in different relationships.

What is emotional trauma?

Verbal or emotional manipulation

Gaslighting

Controlling behavior

Constant criticism

Neglect

Emotional trauma, or psychological abuse, in a relationship, is the psychological and emotional harm inflicted upon one partner by the actions, behaviors, or dynamics within the relationship. This trauma can result from various forms of emotionally abusive behavior, such as:

Verbal or emotional manipulation
Gaslighting
Controlling behavior
Constant criticism
Neglect

Emotional trauma in a relationship can lead to feelings of fear, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and difficulty forming healthy relationships in the future. It can take many forms, including childhood abuse, childhood maltreatment, verbal abuse, financial abuse, and more. Seeking support from mental health professionals and engaging in therapeutic interventions can help individuals process and heal from emotional trauma.

Are there long-term effects of emotional abuse?

Experiencing emotional abuse can be deeply traumatic, and research shows that it can lead to the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in some individuals. The constant exposure to verbal attacks, manipulation, threats, and other forms of emotional mistreatment can overwhelm a person’s ability to cope and can result in lasting psychological trauma. Additionally, the emotional scars left by abusive relationships can trigger flashbacks, nightmares, and intrusive memories, further exacerbating the symptoms of PTSD.

Childhood emotional abuse can lead to the development of depression in adults. Research has shown that this link may be mediated by self-compassion, the practice of treating oneself with kindness, understanding, and acceptance, especially during challenging times. Experiencing emotional abuse in childhood affects the development of self-compassion, leading to an increased risk of depression in adulthood. Seeking support from a trusted family member or therapist to maintain your mental health and safety.

What do the results of this emotional abuse quiz mean?

This quiz isn’t meant to diagnose emotional trauma, and it isn’t a substitute for professional mental health support. Instead, this quiz is designed to help you understand how likely it is that you are in an emotionally abusive relationship. Knowing your risk of being in an emotionally abusive relationship can help you understand your relationship dynamics and connect with help as necessary. Remember that the quiz results are just one tool for understanding your experiences and should be used with other forms of support, including connecting with a mental health professional and therapy.

What is a normal score on this quiz?

There isn’t a “normal” score on this emotional abuse quiz, as experiences of emotional abuse can vary significantly between people and relationships. However, the results of this quiz exist on a spectrum of emotional abuse, ranging from a low likelihood of experiencing emotional abuse to a high likelihood of experiencing emotional abuse. Interpret the score in the context of your own experiences and feelings within the relationship rather than comparing it to a predefined “normal.”

What is a low score on this quiz?

A low score on this quiz indicates that you have little to no instances of behaviors characteristic of emotional abuse within your relationship. This most likely means you rarely or never experienced the examples listed in the quiz. However, emotional abuse can sometimes be subtle or intermittent, and a low score on the quiz does not necessarily guarantee the absence of emotional abuse.

What is a high score on this quiz?

A high score on this quiz means that you reported experiencing frequent or severe instances of behaviors characteristic of emotional abuse in your relationship. This probably means you often or very often experienced the examples listed in the quiz. Seeking support from trusted friends, family, and a mental health professional is crucial for addressing an emotionally abusive relationship and healing from it.