What is mental abuse from girlfriend?

According to Denise Renye, a certified sexologist and psychologist, emotional abuse "may be delivered as yelling, putting a partner down, commenting on a partner's body, deliberately not respecting a partner's boundaries, and saying one thing while doing something else entirely." It also may be accompanied by physical, ...

allure.com - 11 Major Signs of Emotional Abuse in a Relationship | Allure

Do men sleep better with a partner?

Surprisingly, men actually sleep better when they sleep next to a woman. There are a lot more couples sleeping separately than you might guess,...

Last updated Nov 11, 2021

How often do couples fight on average?

How often do couples argue? There is a great deal of variation in terms of how often people in serious relationships say they get into arguments or...

Last updated Feb 27, 2020

Promotion

That's not "I can't live without you" romantic, that's controlling. And honestly, in a healthy relationship, it shouldn't be that you couldn't live without each other — it should be that you prefer not to.

7. They use gaslighting tactics to manipulate you into doubting your experiences.

Gaslighting is a form of emotional abuse in which your partner leads you to mistrust your own interpretations of reality. For instance, you may begin to realize that your partner has anger issues and try to talk to them about it. Rather than take responsibility or listen to your concerns, they say, "You're being way too sensitive. You just don't know what adult relationships are really like." You leave the conversation scrutinizing what you may have gotten "wrong" rather than how your partner's actions made you feel. An abuser may speak to you like they know better than you and have your best interest in mind. "It may be constant or infrequent, but the bottom line is that you feel off-center and downright crazy. Many of my clients describe it as a constant questioning of their [knowledge] and an undermining of their own intuition," Renye says of gaslighting. This is one of the reasons it's so important to speak with trusted confidantes who can remind you that your thoughts and feelings are valid, like friends, family members, or a therapist.

8. They speak for, or over, you.

It's hot when your partner stands up for you. It's abusive when they speak over you or for you when out in public, as if you're so incompetent you can't do it on your own. Sure, when it's date night, you may sometimes want to kick back and sip your wine while your partner places your mutually agreed-upon dinner orders. But acting as your spokesperson in a conversation when you are right there isn't chivalrous, it's a serious red flag. Renye cites a scenario in which her female client's male partner constantly talked over her client. "It became clear that he felt threatened by her power, her potency. He said he spoke over her for her own good because she 'got overwhelmed in group settings.' Instead of building her up, he diminished her," Renye says. You deserve a partner who lifts up your voice, not squashes it.

9. They show physical aggression, whether or not it's directed at you.

Hitting, choking, pushing, and all other acts of violence constitute abuse. However, punching walls or slamming a door in someone's face can be, too. Physical expressions of anger like these that don't involve contact with another person are often excused, and they're seldom depicted as "abuse" in the media. "It lets you know that the person who is acting that way has no self-control. Adults don’t throw things," says Richmond. The extreme stress of enduring threatening acts that don't physically hurt you is very real.

What are considered attractive eyes?

We found that green is the most popular lens colour, with brown coming in a close second, despite it being one of the most common eye colours....

Last updated Apr 12, 2022

Do men express love through physical intimacy?

In fact, some men can most easily express their feelings during lovemaking. That's because after being intimate they feel as though they've loved...

Last updated Feb 25, 2022

Promotion

But that doesn't make them OK. A thrown cell phone may miss your face this time but leave you with a black eye the next, and whether or not it does, the extreme stress of enduring threatening acts that don't physically hurt you is very real. "It leaves the partner that’s being abused in this constant state of hypervigilance. How do you know that next time their hand will stop at the phone and not towards you?" Richmond tells Allure.

10. They pressure you into having sex with them.

For many people, a healthy sex life is a core component of a happy relationship. Part of that is having sex only when you want to, not because your partner is pressuring you into it. "Coercion is abuse, and no one ever has to have sex when they don't desire it," Renye says. It's normal for your sex drive to ebb and flow, and that should be honored within your relationship. If your partner is deliberately withholding sex or physical intimacy from you as a means of manipulation, that could also be abusive, Renye says.

11. They shut down and withhold emotional intimacy.

"Emotional withholding is when a partner stonewalls or shuts down nonverbally as a means of exerting control or manipulation of the situation or the other person," explains Renye. "It’s painful for both parties and extremely confusing for the one on the receiving end of this type of toxicity." Part of being in a relationship is communicating your emotions to your partner, including when you're upset. It's not OK for your partner to shut down on you without explanation and leave you in the dark, wondering what the hell you did. Everyone needs space to process their thoughts and feelings from time to time, but if you notice a pattern in which you have to beg for your partner to let you in on what they're thinking, that's a huge problem.

What to do if you or someone you know is experiencing abuse:

Knowing how and when to safely leave an abusive relationship can be extremely difficult, especially if you've been isolated from resources or taught to doubt yourself. "There may be a strong desire to get away from the situation while [you are] simultaneously feeling frozen and [unable] to do anything constructive, resulting in a downward spiral of numbness, complacency, and fear," Renye says. These feelings may be magnified if you are married, living with, or financially dependent on an abusive partner.

allure.com - 11 Major Signs of Emotional Abuse in a Relationship | Allure

What to do when she withdraws?

What to do when your partner withdraws emotionally Give them the benefit of the doubt. ... Try not to panic. ... Ask questions and listen to their...

Last updated Jun 26, 2020

How do you tell if he's talking to other girls?

The warning signs he's talking to another girl behind your back You feel something isn't right. ... One specific person is a priority over you. ......

Last updated Oct 21, 2021

Promotion

How do you know it's right to end a relationship?

Here, experts explain some of the signs that indicate it may be time to let go: Your needs aren't being met. You're seeking those needs from...

Last updated Sep 26, 2018

Promotion

How does a weak man act?

What is the definition of a weak man? A weak man is someone who has settled in with his flaws and isn't willing to make an effort to strive for...

Last updated Apr 16, 2018