You do not need a fractured arm or a black eye to be

in a bad relationship. If the words they use cut you to the core, sometimes it’s

as bad as a physical wound.

Emotional abuse often gets overlooked but is very

present and very real in many unions where there is an imbalance in power and

position, made worse jealousy and a desire to control or manipulate.

There are countless ways to hurt someone, and below we’ve

shared ten tell-tale signs of emotional abuse to look out for.

1. Their jokes are way more mean than funny. They are

designed to hurt and they usually do.

2. They are generally condescending when speaking to you,

even in front of others.

3. They remind you often of your background, especially

if it was poor or one in which you made many mistakes.

4. Criticism of your appearance is constant. Every

hair style or outfit is met with disapproval.

5. Belittling your accomplishments. No matter what it

is, it is never good enough in their eyes.

6. Lectures you like a child. You feel like you should

constantly be saying you are sorry even when you have not done anything

7. Deflects and turns things back at you. They will tell

you that you are the cause of their bad behaviour whenever they have to concede

that the behaviour was bad.

8. Blames you when thing goes wrong. Everything is

entirely your fault.

9. Walks away whenever you try to speak. They do not

pay you the respect of listening to your opinion.

10.  Trivialises

your feelings. They are dismissive of you and your thoughts and they do not get

the right to continue to do so.