I Just Lost Myself: Psychological Abuse of Women in Marriage

by Valerie Nash Chang

Overview

Psychological abuse can be as damaging to the psyche as physical abuse can be to the body, yet little is written about this common problem. This book confronts the issue of psychological abuse of women in marriage. Psychological abuse consists of an on-going pattern of domination, oppression, unrealistic expectations, verbal attacking or silent withdrawal within a relationship typically devoid of emotional connection. The author addresses the questions of how and why these women are abused, how the abuse starts and progresses, and in what ways does the process differ from that of physical abuse? Using quotes from survivors of these relationships, Dr. Chang describes life inside one of these relationships and gives treatment recommendations.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780275952099
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	01/19/1996
Pages:	184
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.50(d)
Lexile:	1020L (what's this?)

About the Author

VALERIE NASH CHANG is an Associate Professor at the Indiana University School of Social Work. She has practiced psychology for 25 years and has been actively involved in training psychotherapists.

Table of Contents

A Comment on Language
Introduction
The Abuse of Women in Families
Life before Marriage
Control and Domination
Because We Are Women
Patterns of Abuse
Becoming His Wife
Turbaning Points
Physical and Emotional Reactions
Blossoming
Treatment Recommendations
References
Index

Editorial Reviews

Synthesizing the testimony of 16 women who identified themselves as being in or having been in psychologically abusive relationships, Chang (social work and psychology, Indiana U.) profiles each women before marriage, describes the predominant interaction patterns in the marriages, explores connections with patriarchy, traces the development of the abusive relationship and the process of ending the relationship, and recommends treatment for its mental and physical consequences. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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