Read more about Relationships
Most times, victims of abusive partners believe they are at fault or must have triggered such behaviours from these partners. The first step to preventing this from happening is to note the attitudes of such individuals before you get it. Note that abuse is not limited to only physical violence but can include sexual, emotional and physical abuse, and may involve control of your finances.
Here Are Some Signs To Watch Out For Before Getting Serious With A Person
- Over-possessiveness – a possessive partner would want you to spend all of your free time with them. They seem to not understand that you might have other engagements.
- Name-calling – There are endearments that are actually insulting terms. They seem pleasant but they are not meant to make you feel good about yourself. Terms like “my personal touch”, “skinny mini” or “Chubby Pumpkin”.
- Yelling – Although not present in all types of abuse, verbal abuse often forms part of other patterns of domestic violence, such as physical and emotional abuse. Avoid a partner who screams and swears at the slightest provocation, they might turn on you eventually.
- Jealous – A jealous partner can be stressful. They want to be with you so much that they are afraid. It might seem out of the hurtful past experience.
- Physical and sexual violence – you don’t need to think too much or consider any other options, you should run away from a partner who seems to be rough with you or easily hits you with little control.
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- Patronizing – A potential abuser will slip out condescending words in an attempt to belittle you. They may spill out comments that can be sarcastic, disdainful and patronizing, they do so to make themselves superior. When you call them to caution, they begin to claim to have been teasing or joking and tell you to stop taking everything so seriously.
- Character assassination -They never see anything good in the things you do or your personality. You’re always late, wrong, screwing up, disagreeable, and so on.
- Public embarrassment – They are always in the mood to pick fights, disgrace or expose your flaws in public. They tend to insult your appearance especially when you get dressed for an outing.
- Dismissiveness – They never seriously consider the things that matter to you. Sometimes, they exude body language such as eye-rolling, smirking, headshaking, and sighing help convey the same message. They also make jokes that make you look or feel foolish.
- Belittling your accomplishments – Your abuser might tell you that your achievements mean nothing, or they may even claim responsibility for your success.
- Put-downs of your interests – They might tell you that your hobby is a childish waste of time or you’re out of your league when you play sports. Really, it’s that they’d rather you not participate in activities without them.
- Pushing your buttons – Once your abuser knows about something that annoys you, they’ll bring it up or do it every chance they get.
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