This YouTube video by Psych2Go tells the story of “Susie,” and how she suffers from emotional blackmail by both her boyfriend and her boss. The story illustrates several forms of abuse, and Susie responds effectively, using tactics from previous Psych2Go videos.

This video is careful to distinguish between accidental abuse, which the perpetrator will willingly fix, and chronic abuse, in which there is no hope for change. In the story, Susie determines what types her tormentors are, and successfully removes them from her life. It’s important to always give someone the benefit of the doubt, but only to a certain point. In previous posts about self defense, I point out one must deflect harm until it’s clear the opponent won’t deescalate. Then you counterattack.