These Seven Signs Suggest You May Be Stuck In An Emotionally Abusive Relationship
When looking at abusive relationships, oftentimes, it’s easier to realize when you’re in a physically abusive one versus an emotionally abusive one.
Physical abuse is more obvious to detect, with one partner harming and showing unwanted contact toward their partner. However, emotional abuse is sneakier and can be harder to recognize, as it usually comes with no physical evidence.
This is why so many victims of emotional abuse get stuck in cycles with their toxic partner, as they often realize they’re in an emotionally abusive relationship after so much damage has already been done.
If you’re feeling off about your relationship and worry that your partner has been emotionally abusing you, here are a few signs of emotional abuse to help you.
You always have to take the blame.
Emotionally abusive partners rarely want to admit when they’ve been doing something wrong or cruel. Instead, they like to turn the tables and work their hardest to manipulate and convince you that everything is your fault.
For instance, if your boyfriend lost his job or got into a fight with one of his friends and then says it happened because of something you did, that’s not okay.
They often criticize you.
It’s normal in a healthy relationship to slip up and criticize each other occasionally, and someone’s feelings may get hurt. However, when this happens all the time, and you’re constantly being attacked or criticized over matters big and small, that’s emotional abuse.
yavdat – stock.adobe.com- illustrative purposes only, not the actual person
A good relationship doesn’t involve someone telling you you’re stupid or constantly putting you down. Even if this happens behind closed doors, it’s still not right.
You’re being controlled.
One of the biggest indicators of emotional abuse is being controlled by your partner. Abusers often feel they have to have control over their partners and treat them like their property, so they think they can control where you go and who you see.
If you live in fear of talking to someone or going somewhere your partner wouldn’t “approve,” you may be suffering from emotional abuse.
There are good days and bad days.
Many abusers often have hot and cold moments. One minute, they’re holding you, stroking your hair, and telling you they’d never do anything to hurt you. Then, a few hours later, something sets them off, and they’re screaming insults at you.
These reactions tend to bring on fear, which is often what your abuser wants to get out of you. They only treat you well every once in a while to keep you hopeful and hanging on.
You find yourself apologizing a lot.
Abusers can be so good at manipulation that they can even convince you to apologize for a tense moment or argument that had nothing to do with you, to begin with. Even if your partner is the one who needs to say they’re sorry, you end up doing it in fear of how they’ll react if you don’t. Who wants to live like that?
They won’t listen to you.
If you’ve tried several times to sit down and talk about your issues with your relationship with your partner, and they refuse to listen to you or let you get a word in, that means they don’t care about your feelings or happiness.
If your partner doesn’t care that you’ve been hurting or upset, it means you need to leave.
You’re not happy anymore.
If you and your loved ones have noticed a great change in your demeanor and you don’t feel happy anymore, your partner is likely emotionally abusive and has already taken up too much of your time.
If you’ve noticed your optimism has changed and you’ve become a different person since entering this relationship, a person you don’t like, it’s time to leave and regain your sense of self.
Leaving any abusive relationship can be absolutely terrifying, so try not to do it alone. Seek help from friends and family and look into mental health counseling. Be brave, and don’t be afraid to rely on others to help you through this difficult time.
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