Although emotional abuse does not result in gross physical injury, it is necessary for society to examine basic assumptions about normality, health, and treatment. The author describes various types of emotional abuse and their context. Through the use of extensive case histories, the author illuminates the reality of the abusive experience. Feelings such as humiliation, guilt, anger, sadness, and rage are described; the case studies outline situations that lead to denial of the self and rejection. The book also delves into the relationships between emotional abuse and sexual assault and the connection between abuse of and prejudice toward women. Treatment modalities are outlined, and separate chapters deal specifically with community, empathy, and nuclear war and abuse. Chapter references