Emotionally abusive relationships are not always obvious. Unlike physical abuse, that leaves external marks, emotional abuse can be more subtle and challenging to recognize. Often, victims of emotional abuse feel unworthy inferior, incapable, and even crazy. When reality is questioned, the victim may not be sure that his or her perceptions of what is happening are correct. Over time, this can leave a person in a state of believing the abuser is right about all of his or her defects, and feeling as if he or she deserves no better. Here are 6 signs your partner is behaving in an emotionally abusive way toward you:
1. It seems that no matter what you do, large or small tasks, your partner puts you down. You might even be receiving criticism for how you are as far as your personality traits, beliefs, or morals. This could be in the form of name calling, or it might be more subtle.
2. At the end of your day, you feel obliged to give a "report" of your activities to your partner, then proceed to defend and justify yourself. At times it might seem easier just to perform activities you know your partner will approve of, just to avoid criticism and anger.
3. You are finding yourself increasingly isolated from the rest of your support network. When you want to make plans with others, your partner either prohibits it or puts pressure on you to cancel or "choose" him or her instead.
4. When you explore the possibility or work or career opportunities, you meet resistance from your partner. This is true of most endeavors which might make your more independent of your partner.
5. Sex is less an expression of love and caring, and is more a tool of manipulation. Either you are coerced into intimate acts regardless of your feelings, or you are rejected and sex and affection are withheld purposefully.
6. When kind acts occur, they seem randomized or as a result of bad behavior on your partner's part - ultimately, your partner is nice to you in order to keep you in the relationship if you are starting to pull away. Overall, your sense is that there is an implied non-physical threat to not doing what your partner wants.
By the way, what is holding you back from making the best choices to achieve the life you deserve?
For a free copy of my ebook, "Strategies For Escaping Emotional Abuse", click here: http://www.stoptoxicrelationships.com/gifts-strategiesforescapingemotionalabuse.html
Shannon Cook is a personal coach and resource guide who has written a number of informative articles and ebooks on the topic of toxic relationships and "difficult" divorces, including the physical, emotional, practical and relationship components.
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