Unfortunately, abuse in intimate relationships is far more common than we may think. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, one in four women and one in nine men will experience severe spousal abuse. It often goes unreported and can be hard to recognize.
It’s not always apparent in the beginning stages of the relationship. It usually starts slowly and it gradually gets worse. But these signs of an abusive relationship can help you keep one from going too far.
1. Jealousy
Jealousy can be found in even the healthiest of relationships. But an abusive partner will take jealousy to extreme levels. They become overbearing and allow you no privacy at all.
Maybe it starts out as they want the passwords to your social media and phone. But then it turns into them not wanting you to hang out with your friends anymore. This possessive behavior will often escalate even further.
2. Gaslighting
Say you’re genuinely upset about something your partner said or did. They respond with “Can’t you take a joke?” or “You’re being over-emotional.” This is a prime example of gaslighting.
They begin controlling you with fear, manipulation, and confusion. They take the attention off of their behavior and shift a negative light on to you. This Eurweb article covers a perfect example of gaslighting.
3. Putting Their Partner Down
The abuser will start calling their partner names, or making jokes at their expense. They may start to berate them in private, and sometimes even in public. They may even compare their partners unfavorably to others.
These are all signs of verbal abuse, and a serious reason to seek help. If you’ve experienced verbal abuse, it can leave an invisible scar. There’s no shame in getting help working through it.
4. Walking on Eggshells
At some point during the abuse, you begin to be very careful around your partner. You panic when they’re around, afraid there will be something to set them off. This is a big red flag of abuse in a relationship.
5. Isolation
If you’ve noticed a friend has suddenly started isolating themselves, and they spend all of their time with their partner. This can be a big red flag signaling abuse.
They could be avoiding going out to please their partner, or even avoid being seen with bruises. Try talking to your friend to make sure they are ok.
Learn More About the Signs of an Abusive Relationship
We hope these signs of an abusive relationship can help you recognize them better in the future. While we hope you never have to do so, if you suspect you or a loved one is involved in an abusive relationship, speak to them and seek help immediately.
We have many other great relationship articles and resources on our blog, so be sure to check them out too. And don’t forget to share this article on social media with your friends and family.
