Loss of Identity in a Verbally Abusive Relationship

Most likely, you will suffer a loss of identity in a verbally abusive relationship. The relationship will take you as far away from yourself as it's possible to go. Not only will you experience a loss of personal identity, you may even struggle to remember who you were before the abuse took hold. You will become a collaborator in the abusive process and the abuser will make you feel as though everything you experience is your fault, calling into question your personality and your motives (What Are Victims Responsible for in an Abusive Relationship?). So why does this happen, and can we ever unhook ourselves from it? Here's what I learned after my loss of identity in a verbally abusive relationship.

How My Loss of Identity Came About

My loss of identity happened when I was confused about who I was and vulnerable. I think it's fair to say I was still discovering my identity when I dove headfirst into a verbally abusive relationship. I was deep in depression, was flanking my university degree and had just come out of another three-year relationship (Verbal Abuse and Depression: My Story). I didn't know who I was but the man I met made it easy for me to tie my identity in with his. He gave me a job, a home, and romantic validation. He became my rescuer at a time when I needed saving from myself -- or so I thought.

I think back to when I moved in with my ex-boyfriend and how I only took a fraction of my possessions into our flat because I didn’t want to take up too much space. Subconsciously, I had bought into the idea that his things were more important than mine -- that he was more important than I was. This happened after months of subtle put-downs that eventually turned into full-blown psychological abuse.

I had always been insecure with low self-esteem, so it was easy for me to leave that person behind and try to become someone completely different. I wanted to be different, which made his manipulation and attempts to change me all the more persuasive.

Abuse Doesn't Have to Cause a Loss of Identity

It's easy to see why verbal abuse tactics are so effective at causing a loss of identity. Gaslighting, manipulation, and constant criticism break down our self-perceptions and make us rely on our abusers for "the truth" about who we are (Why Verbal Abuse Is So Dangerous). Often those same abusers will try to mold us by saying it is in our "best interests" to change.

Looking back, there is plenty I would have done differently in response to this abuse. Abuse is always the fault of the abuser, and I don't want to stray into victim-blaming territory here because I think the perpetrator should always be held accountable. That said, it's helpful to remind ourselves that we have ultimate control over our own lives -- I wish I had known that at the time.

You Can Prevent Loss of Identity from Abuse

It's difficult to prevent the loss of identity when a verbal abuser is constantly undermining you. However, If you feel like you just can't escape, there are some tactics you can use to stake a claim over your self-identity until you can leave for good.

• Create boundaries: Decide what you're willing to put up with and create verbal boundaries. Tell your partner it is absolutely not okay to cross that line and vow to end the relationship if he/she disrespects this.
• Decide what you need today: I woke up every morning and wondered what kind of mood my boyfriend was in, whether he was mad at me for snoring or stealing the covers in my sleep (yes, that happened), or whether he was even there next to me. I’ve learned to think of myself first. Yes, my partner and my son need things too, but what do I need today? Let’s take care of that, too.
• Refuse to change. I think deep down we all know which compromises are acceptable in a relationship and which aren’t. While most relationships require small amounts of change, no one should expect you to change entirely. Abusive partners often tell us we need to act differently or they threaten the end of the relationship unless we do what they want. A healthy relationship is one where you are respected for your own opinions and qualities and not given ultimatums.

Verbal Abuse Causes Us to Identify as Victims

Being in a verbally abusive relationship changed me permanently. I found I couldn't trust my instincts. I allowed myself to be used by men and belittled at work. I became a victim in every area of my life, even after the relationship ended. It took me a while to unhook from the victim mindset and discover my inner strength, and it's something I'm still working on now.

I thought I could compromise everything about myself to be with a man because I didn’t feel whole without one. To me, the relationship came first, before my interests, my friends, my family, and even myself. This isn’t how it’s meant to be, not really. Your relationship should amplify your best qualities and feed into your identity without your partner feeling threatened.

I wasn’t able to be myself, so I suffered the loss of my identity while I was in a verbally abusive relationship. But I was still in the relationship for two years — so who was I during that time? I suppose I'm still trying to figure that one out.