Am I in an abusive relationship?

An abusive relationship is a relationship in which certain unhealthy behaviors have crossed the limit of acceptability. 

To determine whether you are in an abusive relationship, it is crucial to be able to recognize the unhealthy behaviors

Here are the main features of an abusive relationship:

• Your partner is overly controlling and constantly asks you where you go, what you do, and who you see.
• The partner pressures you to do things that you have clearly and repeatedly stated you do not feel comfortable doing 
• During disagreements, your partner yells at you, offends you, threatens you, or intimidates you. 
• Your partner tries to cut you off from your friends and family
• Your partner text you all the time and gets upset if you don’t reply immediately 
• Your partner is overly jealous and either question you about your friendships or plainly accuses you of cheating. 
• Your partner keeps putting you down all the time
• Your partner bosses you around and never ask your opinion
• Your partner harms you physically by pushing, grabbing, smacking, or hitting you
• Your partner tries to justify abusive actions by saying that your behavior makes him or her react that way

All these actions and many others along these lines, constitute abuse. 

You should realize that these behaviors are not the norm and should be neither accepted nor excused. 

If you feel you are in an abusive relationship, you should get out of it as soon as possible. If you are unable to end the relationship on your own, ask for help. 

Friends, family members, teachers, counselors, and support groups can help you regain your freedom and move on with your life.