Experts Reveal The Dire Signs of an Abusive Relationship and How to Prevent It

Do you find your current relationship miserable and unbearable? Are you crying in pain and agony instead of being happy with your significant other? Do you fear for your life or well-being while you’re together?

The experts say you might’ve already been in an abusive relationship. Because abuse comes in many forms, it can be difficult to recognize it. If you think you’re in dire need of help, the experts recommend you watch out for these dire signs to know if you’re in an abusive relationship and what you can do to prevent it.

Obsessive Monitoring on Your Whereabouts

One disturbing signs of psychological abuse includes constant monitoring. According to Lori Ann Post, Ph.D., It’s difficult to recognize this sign as abuse since most people quickly dismiss it as a sign of love and care. Most people get flattered when their partner wants to know their whereabouts now and then.

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Abusive partners might install spyware or GPS on your phone, laptop, and other digital devices to monitor your whereabouts constantly.

While this gesture is sweet and caring, Post warns it can transgress into an unhealthy territory if your partner uses extreme methods to stalk you. They may also start restricting your time to bond with your friends or family.

Isolating You From Your Family and Friends

According to Dr. Saltz,  if your partner gets unreasonably jealous in every person you spend time with, and they ask you to distance with them, that’s a sign that they’re possessive of you. She adds these abusive partners tend to isolate your world to only you and them. It can even lead to physical violence if you resist from telling your whereabouts or if you’re not available to tend their needs.

They Send Mix Signals

According to Dr. Saltz, abusive partners tend to send mix signals to their victims. For example, one moment they’re mean to you, commenting about your appearance, size, clothes, and worth. They’ll pick on your flaws regularly to make you feel lesser than your actual worth. If not, they get angry when you gain your confidence back.

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Your partner may have a change of heart and start acting as if you’re important to them if they begin to feel they’re about to lose you.

After being harsh or mean to you, you might notice their mood shifting like they’ll offer apologies or justifying their actions with love. Often, you’ll hear them saying they just did it because they’re jealous, or it wasn’t their intention to be mean to you.

You might be tempted to give them yet another chance, but Dr. Saltz says you’ll end up being trapped in their strings of manipulation further. According to her, it’s their tactic to send mixed signals to keep you under control.

You Often Argue, and You’re Afraid of Speaking Up

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An abusive partner always finds a reason to argue with you, no matter how small or trivial things are.

While it’s natural for couples to fight and get into arguments, an abusive relationship tends to have an imbalance of power. Often, the abusive partner always ends up winning an argument.

This abuse of power often leads to the victim unable to express their thoughts and feelings out of fear or intimidation. Your partner doesn’t want you to argue with them. Instead, they want you to follow their decisions without questioning them.

What to Do If You’re in an Abusive Relationship?

If you notice your partner is projecting abusive behavior, Dr. Saltz suggests you keep your connections with your friends and family and tell them your partner is in a rough spot. Reach out to your partner and don’t be afraid to say to them if they’re being undermining or critical of you.

If the abuse persists, offer your help by asking them to go to therapy. You can even express your support by accompanying your partner during checkups or therapy to show it’s not a weakness to ask for medical help to fix their abusive behavior. If they still refuse to seek medical intervention, then it’s time for you to leave before it’s too late. Painful breakups are better than being in a miserable and abusive relationship.