15 Signs you are a Victim of Emotional Abuse

Emotional abuse destroys our self esteem, undermines our self worth whilst slowly, slowly eating away at our very souls.  If not recognised and dealt with (or escaped from) it can leave us a mere shell of the person we once were, afraid of our own shadow.

It is not easy to recognise, if it has been going on for a long time it can be accepted as a way of life and can't be changed - 'that's just the way it is' we will say and keep up the outward appearance to the world that all is well, but inside you are crumbling and falling apart.

Check these 15 signs that you are a victim of emotional abuse (perhaps you are the abuser ?).

1.  Do  you feel that a heavy weight has been lifted from your shoulders when your significant other leaves the house ?

2.  Do you cringe and get nervous when you hear his/her key in the door to return ?

3.  Are you continually walking on eggshells, afraid to voice an opinion for fear of upsetting your significant other ?

4.  Do you back down and don't stand up for yourself for the sake of a 'quiet life' ?

5.  Does your partner belittle you and make fun of you in public and then say you are too sensitive, it was only a joke ?

6.  Does your partner hurl insults at you in everyday conversations ?

7.  Are you always on the receiving end of sharp barbed 'put down's ?

8.  Are you always wrong ?

9.  Does your SO control your spending, and who you make friends with ?

10. Are you always made to feel inferior ?

11. Do you stop speaking and joining in conversations because you know your opinions will be laughed at or ignored ?

12. Does your SO show no empathy/understanding of your needs, as if your feelings just don't matter ?

13. Do you wake up tired and 'nervy' dreading the day ahead instead of enjoying your life ?

14. Do you find your eyelids getting heavy and tired when you and your SO are in the same room ?

15. Do you find yourself secretly plotting and planning your 'escape' ?

These, and many, many more are sure signs you are in an emotionally abusive relationship, only you can decide if this is the way you want to spend the rest of your life, or if you deserve something better.