How to Determine if Your Boyfriend is Emotionally Abusive

If you are in a relationship where you feel constantly berated, criticized or made to feel unworthy chances are you are in an abusive relationship. Take the following steps to determine if this is the case for you.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. The first thing to gauge when evaluating whether you are in an abusive relationship is how you feel when you are around your lover. Being nervous, seeking approval or feeling constantly unhappy are signs of emotional abuse and codependency.

2. Watch his behavior closely and observe how many times he belittles or berates you or criticizes everything you do. Usually ,emotionally abusive relationships are marked by constant criticism, which masks the abuser's own insecurities.

3. Usually when an emotionally abusive person does not get his way, he tends to make the person guilty. He will use key phrases such as "You don't love me enough," or "I do so much for you and you don't appreciate me. Or he may simply exhibit passive aggressive behaviour, act indignant and mad. Usually their partner will eventually cave into their demands.

4. Usually partners who are emotionally abusive will also be extremely loving, but this is yet another mechanism of control.

5. If your partner is emotionally abusive, he will exhibit this behavior. Get help and leave the relationship, as it is toxic and detrimental to your health.

[sherryeam]

on 3/19/2009 Very good article. There is also the silent treatment. Where they don't say anything if you make them mad but they make sure you know your in trouble by being silent rolling eyes, making gestures. Then if you confront them they say I didn't say anything.