The Top 10 Indications that You May Be in an Abusive Relationship

Originally Submitted on 4/20/2003.

It may not always be easy to recognise an emotionally abusive relationship when you're in one. You might just accept that you do most of the caring. Your may think that your partner is difficult, but if you just love them enough, it will all sort itself out. If you just keep working harder at the relationship, but your partner doesn't and things don't improve, it's time to look to look at how you are feeling. These are some signs that you are the victim of emotional abuse:

1. You rarely laugh any more.

You can't remember the last time you felt happy and carefree.

2. You've stopped having wants and needs for yourself.

Your thinking revolves around the relationship and what your partner wants.

3. You no longer feel you have a voice or an opinion worth listening to.

4. You believe you're very lucky to have your partner; nobody else could ever want you.

5. You feel that everything that goes wrong in the relationship is, somehow, always your fault.

6. You feel empty and drained most of the time.

7. Most of the time you're frightened of upsetting your partner.

Your time is spent trying to 'second guess' their moods.

8.

You feel increasingly isolated and unsupported. Your friends start to fall away and
you can’t rely on your partner being there for you when you need them.

9. You start to believe you’re a bad partner and parent.

10. You feel there is nothing much for you to look forward to.

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