Being In An Emotionally Abusive Relationship?

Unfortunately, culturally among Indians, emotionally abusive behavior is normalised by both victim and abuser, as well as their family and friends. It can be a difficult situation to escape and the victim might instead find themself excusing the behavior and making adjustments to accommodate the abusers behavior.

So here are some questions to ask yourself if you think something is a miss:

1. Find that your partner is allowed to express anger but you are not?
2. Find that you have been slowly isolated from friends and family, people who care about you?
3. Find that your partner always finds fault with friends and family?
4. Find that your partner often puts you down and/ or blames you for their problems or holds you responsible for others’ mistakes?
5. Find that your partner insults you but then says they’re joking?
6. Feel apprehensive or anxious often? Especially around them?
7. Find yourself letting go of things or hobbies that once made you happy?
8. Feel unsupported in achieving your own career or life goals?
9. Find yourself doing things a particular way to keep the peace, no matter the physical cost to you?
10. Find that your partner shames you or constantly compares you with others?
11. Find yourself always walking on eggshells, trying to avoid a comment or outburst from your partner?
12. Feel like you have no control over your own life?

If you’ve answered yes to 2 or more of these questions, it's time to do some introspection. You can do this by talking to your partner, couples counselling, etc. However, if you do not observe any improvement, it is best to consider making changes to your situation in a way so as to prevent pain and grief for yourself, and perhaps others such as children in case they are involved too. It is very easy to believe your partner will make changes, they might lie about it as well. But more often than not they will revert to their old ways, and so the best thing to do is to gather the courage and leave while you can.

Relationships need to be fun, yes there will be disagreements and arguments, but no one has to stay in an abusive relationship. Also do not blame yourself for the relationship not working. Anything that breaks is hurtful, give it some time, collect yourself and restart your happy life and in case looking to date again, looking for a serious relationship than you may want to consider signing up on andwemet.

Unfortunately, culturally among Indians, emotionally abusive behavior is normalised by both victim and abuser, as well as their family and friends.