Mental Health and Romance Scams

I bet you wouldn’t know how closely mental health and romance scams are connected. Falling into romance scams is a norm nowadays. It’s a widespread phenomenon, with 1 in every
4 women and 1 in 9 men experiencing some dating and romance scam. These scams can be
physical, emotional, or sexual.
Often, they may leave the victim dealing with stress, fear, bipolar disorder, and contracting STDs
and HIV. Such high stakes in romance scams make it necessary to stay away from them. This
post will highlight the different types of romance scams and provide five ways of getting out of
an abusive relationship.

Types Of An Abusive Relationship

Abusive relationships take many forms. They include the following;
– Physical abuse like slapping, choking, biting, or other aggressive responses.
– Emotional abuse includes gaslighting, bad-mouthing, intimidation, and separating the
victim from their loved ones.
– Sexual abuse- However intimate you are with your partner, forcefully showing
pornographic content or having sex- is termed sexual abuse.
– Financial abuse- You must be caged to stay in an abusive relationship. You may
experience this feeling when your expenses are micromanaged or, worse, restricted from
working though you want it.
All these forms of abusive relations eventually have a toll on your mental health. It’s imperative
to get out of abusive relationships for the sake of your mental well-being.
But how do you get out of such abusive relationships? It’s never easy, but it’s quite possible.

Five Ways Of Getting Out Of An Abusive Relationship

Getting out of an abusive marriage or relationship isn’t as easy as it sounds. It results in a feeling
of rejection and despair. Worse is what comes after leaving such a relationship. Some can go
through this stage of recovery with grief, confusion, and self-blame. For the lucky ones, this
experience comes with a sense of freedom. “It’s like lifting the yolks out of our backs,” they say.
Sadly, many people leaving an abusive relationship may end up with poor mental conditions.
Even to the extent of severe complications such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. So, what
steps can you take to get out of an abusive relationship and avoid such eventualities?

1. Prioritizing self-care and self-love
   You can end an abusive relationship today and go back tomorrow. Relapsing is easy if you don’t
   spend time processing your emotions. Understanding your emotions is essential in self-care and self-love, which allows you to build confidence. It also makes you feel proud for leaving the abusive relationship. Additionally, processing your emotions allows you to internalize your weak spots, strengthen them, and avoid an abusive partner.

2. Set firm boundaries
   You can never imagine leaving a relationship when in it, even for an abusive relationship. Unlike
   going for a detoxification program, the withdrawal effect from a toxic relationship can take a toll
   on you. It can be overwhelming that you can easily cave into the relationship again.
   To avoid such scenarios, set clear and definite boundaries. You can set them up on your socials
   by blocking, deleting, or unfollowing your ex’s online accounts. Physical boundaries are also a
   good way of avoiding a relapse. Consider moving out to somewhere away from the negative
   energy.
3. Educate yourself
   Just like the biblical saying, “my people suffer due to the lack of knowledge,” it’s the same with
   abusive marriages. To avoid such violent treatment, try educating yourself on abusive
   relationships. You can read on:
   – Why do people fall in love with abusive partners
   – Signs of an abusive relationship
   – Why do people stand an abusive relationship
   – The different types of abusive treatments
   – What limits people from leaving an abusive relationship
   Such self-enrichment strategies go a long way in getting out of an abusive relationship.
4. Building healthier relationships
   The most critical step in successfully moving on is building a healthier relationship. Remember,
   we are what surrounds us. Take time to reevaluate your past relationship. It will give you insights
   into what you need to improve to attract people with positive, progressive mindsets. In the long
   run, it plays a crucial role in avoiding abusive relationships.
5. Ask for help
   Sometimes asking for help is the most sensible thing to do. It improves the odds of getting out of
   an abusive marriage. Luckily, there are many channels you can use when asking for help. They
   include the following:

• Going for therapy sessions
• Organizations like One Love
• Domestic violence hotlines
• Interacting with other survivors through events, programs, and support groups
• Domestic violence shelters

Going through this challenging process with someone to share with makes it easier to exit an
abusive relationship. It is because you have the support of a community that wants the best for
you.

Conclusion

This article shows just how connected mental health and romance scams are. Romance scams can have terrible consequences for the victim’s mental health. Be sure to do your research before meeting someone online. If you think you or someone you know may be a victim of a romance scam, please reach out to the National Center for Victims of Crime for help.