Cycle Of Abuse Wheel

The cycle of abuse consists of four stages: tension-building, acute battering, honeymoon, and calm. This repeating pattern keeps victims trapped as tension begins, abuse starts, temporary remorse follows, and the cycle resets.

Common signs include verbal abuse, silent treatment, emotional manipulation, financial control, and physical violence. Victims often feel isolated, fearful, and unable to break free due to ongoing psychological and emotional distress.

Abusive relationships severely impact mental health, leading to anxiety, depression, PTSD, and low self-esteem. The prolonged exposure to domestic abuse can cause emotional numbness, learned helplessness, and difficulty forming healthy relationships.