If you’re afraid that you or someone you love may be getting into an abusive situation, here is some signs to look for:
- Excessive and quick commitment to relationships
- Isolation
- Extremely possessive and jealous, confused with love
- Control of all money
- Name-calling and demeaning
- Threats against you, your children or of suicide for failure to comply (emotional extortion)
- Exhibits cruelty to animals or children
- Takes away choices such as food, fashion, social life
- Chauvinistic
- Excessive monitoring
- Dominating time
- Extreme sense of entitlement
- Blames the victim (“They made me do it”)
- Insecure but presents a false sense of superiority
- Lack of empathy
- Hypersensitivity and victim mentality
- Extreme controlling behaviour early on disguised as concern for safety
- Presents dual personalities
- Poor communication skills
- Has unrealistic expectations or demands
I know people who have been abused and seeing the after effects can be devastating.