You may be in an abusive relationship if he or she:
· Is jealous or possessive toward you.
· Tries to control you by being very bossy or demanding.
· Tries to isolate you by demanding you cut off social contacts and friendships.
· Is violent and / or loses his or her temper quickly.
· Pressures you sexually, demands sexual activities you are not comfortable with.
· Abuses drugs or alcohol.
· Claims you are responsible for his or her emotional state.
· Blames you when he or she mistreats you.
· Has a history of bad relationships.
· Your family and friends have warned you about the person or told you that they are concerned for your safety or emotional well being.
· You frequently worry about how he or she will react to things you say or do
· Makes "jokes" that shame, humiliate or embarrass you, weather privately or around family and friends.
· Your partner grew up witnessing an abusive parental relationship, and/or was abused as a child.
· Your partner "rages" when they feel hurt, shame, fear or loss of control.
· Both parties in abusive relationships may develop or progress in drug or alcohol dependence in a (dysfunctional) attempt to cope with the pain.
· You leave and then return to your partner repeatedly, against the advice of your friends, family and loved ones.
· You have trouble ending the relationship, even though you know inside it's the right thing to do.
Alternatively, ask yourself does the person you love...
· Constantly keep track of your time?
· Act jealous and possessive?
· Accuse you of being unfaithful or flirting?
· Discourage your relationships with friends and family?
· Prevent or discourage you from working, interacting with friends or attending school?
· Constantly criticize or belittle you?
· Control all finances and force you to account for what you spend? (Except for reasonable cooperative household budgeting)
· Humiliate you in front of others? (Including "nasty jokes" about you)
· Destroy or take your personal property or sentimental items?
· Have affairs?
· Threaten to hurt you, your children or pets? Threaten to use a weapon?
· Push, hit, slap, punch, kick, or bite you or your children?
· Force you to have intercourse against your will?