Bringing emotional abuse more into the spotlight.. it HAS to be taken seriously under any circumstances

THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT

PLEASE READ. 

http://www.lilaclane.com/relationships/emotional-abuse/

I dealt with emotional abuse when I was very young (14-15 years old) and two years later, I still have the scars my ex boyfriend (who was 16-17 years old) left on me. Looking back, I did not know I was in an emotionally abusive relationship because he manipulated me so much that I overlooked all the signs and it tore me up emotionally. He tried to change me into his perception of “an ideal woman”, he constantly pressured me into having sex with him and doing “things” with him (I still felt this even when he was not pressuring me and I never had sex with him), he made me feel as though I was not good enough, he constantly toyed at my insecurities, yet he claimed he loved me. He masked himself as the ideal guy that everyone would fall for (charming, cunning, etc.) but his emotional abuse still plagues me today. It made me develop so many trust issues and I felt like I had no where else to go when he broke my heart. I am still fighting the emotional abuse to this day and I am getting back to who I really am.

Fast forward two years and I am currently dating the most wonderful guy in the world. He treats me the way I should be treated and loves me for who I am. It is such a huge relief that I can finally be me and be unconditionally loved. I am happy.. something I never really experienced with the emotionally abusive ex boyfriend. My current boyfriend makes me feel beautiful and I thank him so much for dealing with the ghosts of my past. 

I am not trying to gain sympathy or attention, I am just sharing my experience on how painful it was to be emotionally abused and teaching others that this is just as serious as physical abuse, which is most common in the media. 

Attention all of you: Never, I repeat, NEVER EVER let someone try to control you. You are each special in your own way, don’t try to change to make someone feel happy. No matter what, this is NOT love regardless of what emotional abuser says. Also, take the relationship at your own pace.. if the person truly loves you, they would wait instead of constantly pressure you.