Thirteen
Abusive Behaviours
-
Pushes
for quick involvement: Comes on strong, pressures a new partner
for
an exclusive commitment
almost immediately.
-
Jealous:
Excessively possessive; calls constantly or visits unexpectedly.
Prevents you
from going to work because "you might meet
someone";
checks the mileage on your car.
-
Controlling:
Interrogates you intensely (especially if you are late) about
whom you talked to and where you were; keeps all the money;
insists you ask permission to go anywhere or do anything.
- Unrealistic
expectations: Expects you to be the perfect mate and meet his
or her every need.
-
Isolation:
Tries to cut you off from family and friends; accuses
people who support
you of "causing trouble." May deprive
you of a phone or car, or try to prevent you from holding
a job.
-
Blames
others for problems or mistakes: It's always someone
else's
fault if something goes wrong.
-
Makes
others responsible for his or her feelings: Says, "You
make me angry," instead of "I am angry" or
says, "You
are hurting me by not doing what I tell you."
- Hypersensitivity:
Is easily insulted, claiming hurt feelings. Rants about the injustice
of things that are just part of life.
- Cruelty
to animals or children: Punishes animals brutally, May expect
children to do things far beyond their ability, or teases them until
they cry.
-
Verbal
abuse: Constantly criticizes, degrades, curses, calls you ugly
names. Could cause sleep deprivation and wake you with relentless
verbal abuse.
- Sudden
mood swings: Switches from sweet to violent in minutes.
-
Past
battering: Admits to hitting a mate in the past, but says the
person "made" him
or her do it.
-
Threats
of violence: Says things like, "I'll
break your neck" or "I'll kill
you," then
dismisses them with, "Everybody talks that
way" or "I
didn't
really mean it."
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