A fulfilling relationship ought to be a supportive, loving, safe partnership for both parties involved. While disagreements and conflicts are inevitable, the interactions should be mutually respectful and neither party ought to be left feeling inferior or emotionally beaten up afterward. If you find yourself depressed, feeling helpless, like a failure, or less than your partner, it is possible that you are being psychologically and emotionally abused. Here are 3 signs that you may be a victim of emotional abuse:
1. Your partner puts you down, in public or in private. Whether it is done behind closed doors or in front of others, put downs which attack your competence, character, or appearance are destructive and abusive. These put downs may be blatant insults or more subtle criticisms and comparisons. If you are experiencing this on any regular basis, you are a victim of emotional abuse.
2. Your partner isolates you. If your partner discourages you from seeing friends and family, and prefers you spend all your time with him or her, this is controlling behavior. Isolation serves a couple of purposes for an abuser. It confirms the control the abusive partner desires to have over all aspects of your life, and it prevents you from getting feedback on the relationship from the people in your life who care for you most.
3. Your partner withholds (or demands) affection, intimacy and sex despite your desires. Your partner may refuse to offer affection or sex to you as a punishment for not conforming to his or her "standards", or demand that you meet his or her needs in the sexual arena regardless of your wishes. If you are being starved or coerced intimately, you are with a partner who is being emotionally and psychologically abusive.
4. There are implied, non-physical threats or repercussions for not behaving or complying with your partner's wishes. Your partner may also occasionally reward you or show you a kindness to rejuvenate your hope, but it is a tactic, not a habit. This behavior is psychologically abusive.
Are you interested in addressing your depression from a holistic standpoint, assessing the physical, emotional, and relationship components?
For a free copy of my ebook, "Natural Methods To Fight Depression", click here: http://www.stoptoxicrelationships.com/gifts-naturalmethodstofightdepression.html
Shannon Cook is a personal growth and relationship expert who has written a number of informative articles and ebooks on the topic of toxic relationships and holistic personal growth, including physical, emotional and relationship health.
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