Domestic Violence wears Many Masks, from verbal to physical, with degrees of subtle to blatant.
The most telling sign is fear of your partner. If you feel like you have to walk on eggshells, constantly watching what you say and do, chances are your relationship is unhealthy and abusive. Similar to the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde story, when you are in the toxic atmosphere with a narcissist or misogynist(person who hates women)you simply never know when or what the next unnerving encounter is going to be. I have lived it and understand. I gradually became a nervous wreck trying to keep the peace. But an abuser won’t give you the option of a calm, happy household. They make their own rules and take any opportunity to chastise, complain, belittle, etc.
To determine whether your relationship is abusive, answer the questions below. The more “yes” answers, the more likely it is that you’re in an abusive relationship.
* feel afraid of your partner much of the time?
* avoid certain topics for fear of getting into an argument?
* feel that you can’t do anything right for your partner?
* wonder if you’re the one who is crazy?
* feel emotionally numb or helpless?
Do you:
* humiliate or yell at you?
* criticize you and put you down?
* treat you so badly that you’re embarrassed for your friends or family to see?
* ignore or put down your opinions or accomplishments?
* blame you for their own abusive behavior?
* see you as property or a sex object, rather than as a person?
Does your partner:
Does your partner:
* have a bad and unpredictable temper?
* hurt you, or threaten to hurt or kill you?
* threaten to take your children away or harm them?
* threaten to commit suicide if you leave?
* force you to have sex?
* destroy your belongings?
Does your partner:
* act excessively jealous and possessive?
* control where you go or what you do?
* keep you from seeing your friends or family?
* limit your access to money, the phone, or the car?
* constantly wants to know your where-abouts?