psychological torment
Sustained emotional cruelty
Psychological torment is sustained mental anguish inflicted through manipulation, cruelty, or circumstances that attack a person's sense of safety or self-worth.
Unlike physical pain, it works on the mind—through fear, humiliation, isolation, or relentless uncertainty.
The hostages endured months of psychological torment.
The phrase emphasizes severity and duration; briefer distress would be mere disturbance or upset.
- mental anguishSevere psychological distress
- anguishIntense mental suffering
- despairTotal absence of hope
- agonyExtreme physical or emotional pain
- sufferingSustained experience of distress
silent suffering · haunted · inner demons · dread · nightmare · dark thoughts · obsession · paranoia · guilt · shame · emotional scars · madness · nervous breakdown · breakdown · spiral · endless loop · unraveling · intrusive
- DostoevskyCrime and Punishment, Fyodor Dostoevsky, The Brothers Karamazov, The Gambler, Raskolnikov
- HagsploitationStrait-Jacket, The Nanny, Bette Davis, Joan Crawford
- masochismpain, pleasure, BDSM, bondage, submission
psychological tormentpeace of mind
State without anxiety
inner peace · psychological wellbeing · mental tranquility · contentment · equanimity
psychological tormentbodily harm
Damage to one's person
physical abuse · physical pain · corporal punishment · physical injury · bodily injury
psychological tormentkindness
Considerate, caring disposition
encouragement · reassurance · emotional support · psychological support · compassionate care
psychological, psychology, psychologist, psychologically, psyche, psychic, psychical, psychiatric, psychiatry