Some forms of emotional abuse are:

Helping: The pretext of helping is used in many cases of emotionally abusive relationships. The abuser offers solutions, advice, and financial and emotional support to the victim. The victim feels this is honest help. However, the actual intention behind the assistance is to belittle, control, demean, or gain information on the other person. Slowly the victim becomes dependent upon the abuser and the abuser continues to exploit the victim.

The Silent Treatment: The silent treatment is another form of emotionally abusive relationship. The silent treatment includes refusing to communicate, refusing to listen, and emotional withdrawl from the victim. As a result, the victim feels lonely, neglected, and irritated.

Minimizing: Emotional abusive relationships may take the form of “minimizing”. Minimizing is a form of denial, where the abuser does not deny your actions directly. The abuser deliberately questions the motivation of your actions, and does not give much importance to your actual activities. The aim of the abuser is to lower your self-esteem and your pride in your achievements, feelings and experiences.