12 Signs of an Abusive Relationship
6. Unreal expectations
An abuser always has impractical expectations from you. He will say things such as, ‘Just love me enough, and I’ll change for you’. He wants you to be perfect in everything. But even when you are, he will still find some fault.
7. Rapid mood changes
An abuser is marked by very frequent and sudden mood changes. He will be happy and fun loving one moment and turn violent and angry in the next. There will be no definite reason for this mood change.
8. Threats
He will try to control you in every way possible and if you try to leave, he will threaten you by saying things like, ‘You won’t stay alive by leaving me’. He will make verbal or physical threats to you often. Any bout of independence from you and he will pounce on you and threaten you.
9. Male superiority
In an abusive relationship, the abuser will always hold himself above you. He will believe in the age-old traditions and in gender specific roles. He will want you to stay beneath him and always listen to him as he thinks he has some dominant male power over you. He will never let you take decisions on your own.
10. Sexual and verbal abuse
Forcing you to have sex when you don’t want to is also a sign of an abusive relationship. He will use force to have sex with you even when you are ill or tired. He will also verbally abuse you and insult you often. This may happen at home or even in public.
11. Financial dependence
The abuser will never let you be free in any aspect of life. He will control you, watch over you and even restrict your movements. More than that, he will not even allow you to have any money for yourself – no credit cards, no personal bank account, no cash. You have to be totally dependent on him for monetary purposes.
12. Cruelty towards pets or children
Apart from being abusive towards you, he will also portray the same behavior towards animals and children. In his sudden mood swings, he may slap the child or kick the dog without a reason. This behavior may also be to scare you.
If you see one or more of these signs from your partner, just leave the house and go to your parents’ place or a women’s shelter.
