Most people trapped in an abusive or toxic relationship don’t even realize it, most of the time because they don’t know the signs. It’s essential to keep an eye out for any borderline toxic behavior patterns at any stage of a relationship, but once you know what you’re looking for, this becomes much easier.
What can feel like love at first can quickly change into something a little more sinister, which is only going to hurt you in the long run, both physically and mentally. So, with that, let’s explore some of the signs you’ll want to keep your eyes open for.
Possessive, Controlling Behaviors
The first sign is that your partner is excessively possessive. They want to know where you are at all times, who you’re with and what you’re doing. This can quickly turn into control and jealousy, especially if your partner doesn’t have a healthy sense of self-esteem.
They may start dictating what you can and cannot wear or even control your finances. If this is happening in your relationship, it’s important to get out as soon as possible. This type of possessive and controlling behavior will only get worse over time.
If the controlling gets physical, or you are being taken advantage of in other ways, you may need professional assistance, such as a sex assault legal adviser, or whichever legal assistance for whichever situation you find yourself in.
You Receive Unfair Criticisms
The second sign is that your partner is overly critical of you. Of course, this can be normal in the beginning stages of a relationship because it’s often seen as “sweeping someone off their feet”, but if it continues after that point, there are likely other issues at hand.
Emotional Immaturity
The third sign is that your partner is emotionally immature. This means that they are unable to handle the most basic of emotions, such as anger and sadness. As a result, you may find yourself constantly walking on eggshells around them – afraid of setting off another emotional explosion or making things worse in some way.
You Take the Blame for Everything
The fourth sign is that your partner blames you for everything that goes wrong and doesn’t take responsibility for their own actions. Take note of whether or not they show remorse – if they don’t, there’s a problem.
Your Decisions Are Manipulated
The fifth sign is that your partner is manipulative. This can be a difficult sign to spot because it looks different from one relationship to another, but there are some signs you’ll want to look out for. A common sign of a manipulative person is their attempt to make you feel guilty for doing the right thing, such as wanting to leave an unhealthy relationship.
They may also try and manipulate your decisions by telling you what they think you want to hear in order to be able to control or guilt trip you into staying with them instead.
You Feel Isolated
The sixth and final sign is that your partner tries to isolate you from family and friends by making them feel bad about the time they spend with you. You should never feel like you can’t talk to your family, or that they are constantly making excuses for you.
Summary
If any of these signs ring true for you right now, it’s time to take action because this type of relationship will only continue to escalate over time unless something changes drastically. If you require it, get professional help or assistance to help overcome your situation.
