• Mental Health
    • Anxiety
      • What is Anxiety?
      • Types of Anxiety Disorders
      • Signs & Symptoms of Anxiety
      • Treatments for Anxiety
      • Anxiety Statistics
      • See More Anxiety Content
      • Find an Anxiety Specialist
    • Depression
      • What is Depression?
      • Types of Depression
      • Signs & Symptoms of Depression
      • Treatments for Depression
      • Depression Statistics
      • Find a Depression Specialist
    • Bipolar Disorder
      • What is Bipolar Disorder?
      • Bipolar I vs. Bipolar II
      • Signs & Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder
      • What Are Bipolar Disorder Cycles?
      • Treatments for Bipolar Disorder
      • Find a Bipolar Disorder Specialist
    • ADHD
      • What is ADHD?
      • ADHD Signs & Symptoms
      • ADHD & Depression
      • Find an ADHD Specialist
    • Addiction
      • What is Addiction?
      • What Are Behavioral Addictions?
      • Addiction vs Dependence
      • Addiction Myths vs Facts
      • Addiction Statistics
      • How to Help a Friend
      • Find an Addiction Specialist
    • Eating Disorders
      • Anorexia
      • Bulimia
    • Personality Disorders
      • Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder
        • OCD vs. OCPD
    • Trauma
      • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
        • PTSD & COVID-19
      • Childhood Trauma
    • Sexual Disorders
      • Gender Dysphoria
      • Anorgasmia
      • Female Sexual Arousal Disorder (FSAD)
      • Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD)
      • Premature Ejaculation (PE)
      • Delayed Ejaculation
    • Schizophrenia
  • Therapy Techniques
    • Online Therapy
      • Best Online Therapy
      • Online Therapy for Teens
      • Best LGBTQ Online Therapy
      • Best Online Therapy for Insurance
    • Psychotherapy
    • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
      • CBT for Anxiety
      • CBT for Social Anxiety
      • CBT for Panic Disorder
      • CBT for Insomnia
      • CBT Online
    • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
      • DBT for Teens
    • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
    • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
      • EMDR for PTSD
      • EMDR for Anxiety
      • EMDR Online
    • Art Therapy
    • Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
    • Exposure and Response Prevention
    • Group Therapy
    • Hypnotherapy
    • Motivational Interviewing
    • Person Centered Therapy
    • Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy
    • Sex Therapy
  • Types of Therapists
    • Faith-Based & Christian Counselors
    • Life Coaching
    • Family Therapist
      • Child & Teen Counseling
    • Marriage & Couples Counselors
      • Premarital Counseling
    • Psychiatrist
      • Psychology vs. Psychiatry
    • Psychotherapist
    • Grief Counselors
    • Online Therapists
  • Starting Therapy FAQ
    • Does Therapy Work?
      • How to Find a Therapist
      • Helping a Friend or Loved One
    • How to Choose a Therapist
      • Finding a Black Therapist
      • Finding a Latinx Therapist
      • Finding an LGBTQ-Friendly Therapist
      • Finding a Therapist as a Young Adult
      • Finding an Online Therapist
    • Preparing for Your First Session
    • Types of Mental Health Professionals
    • Mental Health Insurance
      • HSAs for Therapy
      • Sliding Scale Therapy Fees
    • Mental Health in the Workplace
      • Asking for a Mental Health Day
      • Taking Time Off for Mental Health
    • Top Mental Health Organizations
      • Mental Health Resources Outside the U.S.
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Editorial Policy
    • Advertising Policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact Us
    • Write for Us
    • Join the Directory
    • Careers
  • Therapist Directory
    • Find a Therapist
    • Join the Directory
    • Directory Login
  • Mental Health
    • Anxiety
      • What is Anxiety?
      • Types of Anxiety Disorders
      • Signs & Symptoms of Anxiety
      • Treatments for Anxiety
      • Anxiety Statistics
      • See More Anxiety Content
      • Find an Anxiety Specialist
    • Depression
      • What is Depression?
      • Types of Depression
      • Signs & Symptoms of Depression
      • Treatments for Depression
      • Depression Statistics
      • Find a Depression Specialist
    • Bipolar Disorder
      • What is Bipolar Disorder?
      • Bipolar I vs. Bipolar II
      • Signs & Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder
      • What Are Bipolar Disorder Cycles?
      • Treatments for Bipolar Disorder
      • Find a Bipolar Disorder Specialist
    • ADHD
      • What is ADHD?
      • ADHD Signs & Symptoms
      • ADHD & Depression
      • Find an ADHD Specialist
    • Addiction
      • What is Addiction?
      • What Are Behavioral Addictions?
      • Addiction vs Dependence
      • Addiction Myths vs Facts
      • Addiction Statistics
      • How to Help a Friend
      • Find an Addiction Specialist
    • Eating Disorders
      • Anorexia
      • Bulimia
    • Personality Disorders
      • Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder
        • OCD vs. OCPD
    • Trauma
      • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
        • PTSD & COVID-19
      • Childhood Trauma
    • Sexual Disorders
      • Gender Dysphoria
      • Anorgasmia
      • Female Sexual Arousal Disorder (FSAD)
      • Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD)
      • Premature Ejaculation (PE)
      • Delayed Ejaculation
    • Schizophrenia
  • Therapy Techniques
    • Online Therapy
      • Best Online Therapy
      • Online Therapy for Teens
      • Best LGBTQ Online Therapy
      • Best Online Therapy for Insurance
    • Psychotherapy
    • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
      • CBT for Anxiety
      • CBT for Social Anxiety
      • CBT for Panic Disorder
      • CBT for Insomnia
      • CBT Online
    • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
      • DBT for Teens
    • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
    • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
      • EMDR for PTSD
      • EMDR for Anxiety
      • EMDR Online
    • Art Therapy
    • Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
    • Exposure and Response Prevention
    • Group Therapy
    • Hypnotherapy
    • Motivational Interviewing
    • Person Centered Therapy
    • Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy
    • Sex Therapy
  • Types of Therapists
    • Faith-Based & Christian Counselors
    • Life Coaching
    • Family Therapist
      • Child & Teen Counseling
    • Marriage & Couples Counselors
      • Premarital Counseling
    • Psychiatrist
      • Psychology vs. Psychiatry
    • Psychotherapist
    • Grief Counselors
    • Online Therapists
  • Starting Therapy FAQ
    • Does Therapy Work?
      • How to Find a Therapist
      • Helping a Friend or Loved One
    • How to Choose a Therapist
      • Finding a Black Therapist
      • Finding a Latinx Therapist
      • Finding an LGBTQ-Friendly Therapist
      • Finding a Therapist as a Young Adult
      • Finding an Online Therapist
    • Preparing for Your First Session
    • Types of Mental Health Professionals
    • Mental Health Insurance
      • HSAs for Therapy
      • Sliding Scale Therapy Fees
    • Mental Health in the Workplace
      • Asking for a Mental Health Day
      • Taking Time Off for Mental Health
    • Top Mental Health Organizations
      • Mental Health Resources Outside the U.S.
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Editorial Policy
    • Advertising Policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact Us
    • Write for Us
    • Join the Directory
    • Careers
  • Therapist Directory
    • Find a Therapist
    • Join the Directory
    • Directory Login
Skip to content

25 Signs of an Abusive Relationship

Published: September 2, 2022 Updated: January 25, 2023
Published: 09/02/2022 Updated: 01/25/2023
Headshot of Silvi Saxena, MBA, MSW, LSW, CCTP, OSW-C
Written by:

Silvi Saxena

MBA, MSW, LSW, CCTP, OSW-C
Headshot of Rajy Abulhosn, MD
Reviewed by:

Rajy Abulhosn

MD
  • Abusive Relationship Signs25 Signs
  • Types of Abuse in RelationshipsTypes
  • What You Might Feel or Say When You’re in an Abusive RelationshipHow Survivors Feel
  • Effects of Abusive RelationshipsEffects
  • How to Leave an Abusive RelationshipHow to Leave
  • How a Therapist’s Support Can HelpTherapy
  • Supporting a Friend in an Abusive RelationshipSupport a Friend
  • Final ThoughtsConclusion
  • Additional ResourcesResources
  • Abusive Relationship InfographicsInfographics
Headshot of Silvi Saxena, MBA, MSW, LSW, CCTP, OSW-C
Written by:

Silvi Saxena

MBA, MSW, LSW, CCTP, OSW-C
Headshot of Rajy Abulhosn, MD
Reviewed by:

Rajy Abulhosn

MD

Signs of an abusive relationship might include feeling that you deserve the mistreatment from your partner and justifying your partner’s abusive behaviors. If you find yourself in an abusive relationship, remember that it is not your fault and you do not deserve to be treated poorly. It is important to seek help immediately and to stay away from your abuser. You don’t have to go through this alone.1

Whether you’re trying to move on or rebuild a relationship, a licensed therapist from BetterHelp can guide you. BetterHelp has over 20,000 licensed therapists who provide convenient and affordable online therapy. BetterHelp starts at $60 per week. Complete a brief questionnaire and get matched with the right therapist for you.

Choosing Therapy partners with leading mental health companies and is compensated for marketing by BetterHelp

Visit BetterHelp

25 Abusive Relationship Signs

There are a number of red flags to look for if you think you may be in an abusive relationship. Some abusive relationships begin as toxic relationships, and you may not recognize the toxic traits until they become abusive. It’s also important to consider the cycle of abuse you may be in if there has been a pattern of abuse and then reconciliation, as abusers tend to create these cycles to keep their victim submissive.

Avigail Gordon, PhD, Clinical Psychologist“Most people expect to feel scared or angry when in an abuse situation, but the reality is much more complex. You might feel both of those things, but usually an abusive situation is maintained by the fact that you also feel deep love and a sense of intimacy and closeness. You might feel like your abuser is the only person who loves or protects or understands or appreciates you. That’s part of what makes it so hard to even think about leaving.” – Avigail Gordon, PhD, Clinical Psychologist

Here are 25 potential signs of an abusive relationship:2

  1. Verbal abuse
  2. Poor temper by abuser
  3. Unpredictable behaviors by abuser
  4. Cruelty to animals and others by abuser
  5. Possessiveness by abuser
  6. Jealousy by abuser
  7. Threatening behavior by the abuser
  8. Forced sexual activity by abuser and disregard for others desire for such activity
  9. Controlling behavior by abuser and codependency
  10. The abuser gaslights the victim
  11. Financial control by abuser
  12. Blaming the victim and trauma bonding
  13. Abuse of children by abuser
  14. Accusing the victim of perceived slights
  15. Controlling the attire of the victim
  16. Demeaning behaviors and attitude toward victim
  17. Publicly shaming the victim
  18. Harassment of the victim publicly
  19. Bruises on the body, black eye, bleeding, and cuts on the victim
  20. The victim displays rapid changes in behavior
  21. The victim develops sexually transmitted infections
  22. Overdose of medication or underdose of medication for the victim
  23. Malnutrition of the victim
  24. Growing health issues of the victim
  25. Withdrawing behaviors by the victim

Types of Abuse in Relationships

There are several types of abuse that can occur in relationships, including:

  • Physical Abuse: Intentional bodily injury such as slapping, kicking, punching, choking, pinching and physical restraints.
  • Sexual Abuse & Coercion: Nonconsensual sexual behaviors by one partner to another. Contact that is unwanted and unwelcome, such as touch, rape, nudity, sexually explicit photography and sodomy.
  • Mental & Emotional Abuse: Purposefully causing emotional pain and/or mental pain. Behaviors of emotional abuse include isolation, harassment, ridiculing, coercion, intimidation, coercion, silencing and controlling behaviors, yelling and swearing and other verbal attempts to cause mental distress.

Ready To Invest In Improving Your Relationship

Free Couples Relationship Course – OurRelationship has been proven to help couples improve communication, intimacy, and trust. 94% would recommend it to a friend. Get Started


Relationship Guidance (Partner participation optional.) – You can improve your relationship! Ritual combines video sessions led by a relationship expert, with short online activities. 14-day money-back guarantee. Start now


Individual Therapy – Happy, healthy relationships start with YOU. Try online therapy and bring your best self to your relationships. BetterHelp has over 20,000 licensed therapists who provide convenient and affordable online therapy. Visit BetterHelp


Couples Therapy – Work together to restore trust and rekindle loving feelings. Video and text based couples counseling start at $50 per week. Try Online-Therapy

Choosing Therapy partners with leading mental health companies and is compensated for marketing by OurRelationship, Ritual, BetterHelp, and Online-Therapy.

What You Might Feel or Say When You’re in an Abusive Relationship

An abusive partner may make you feel like you can’t believe yourself, or that the problems in the relationship are your fault. This is known as gaslighting.

Here are some things you might say to yourself if you’re in an abusive relationship:

‘My partner loves me – they’re not violent all the time’

Someone may say this to justify their decision to stay in the relationship because poor behavior doesn’t happen all the time. They are focused on the moments where there is no violence and consider that good enough. They attribute the times of non-violence to prove that their partner does love them.

‘They didn’t mean to hurt me’

Similarly to above, when they are being physically injured, they consider it to be about what their abuser says, which is that they didn’t intentionally mean to hurt them. The victim hears the words and believes the words instead of looking at the action.

‘It’s so confusing – I’m sure it’s a one-time thing’

Someone may say this if they are trying to understand how and why abuse may have occurred and pacify it. They allow and accept the one-time behavior to happen, and when it happens again, they may struggle to understand that it is abuse if they are so quick to allow poor behavior.

‘Maybe it’s my fault’

Someone may say this because they are made to feel that they are at fault, and if they adjusted their behavior, they wouldn’t be hurt. They may also have a history of abuse and have internalized a false narrative about their self worth.

‘I’m scared of what will happen if I leave’

Someone may say this to mean a couple things. First, they may physically fear leaving if they have been threatened that if they leave, the abuser will find them. The abuser can psychologically keep victims held captive. Second, someone may say this because they don’t know life without this person or they may depend on this person for housing, financial support, meals, etc.

Effects of Abusive Relationships

If you are in an abusive relationship, you may feel hopeless about how the situation might improve, or you might feel guilty for staying in a relationship even though you know it’s not healthy.

Abusive relationships can make someone feel:

  • Confused
  • Hopeless
  • Guilty
  • Afraid
  • Shamed
  • Moody

Someone in an abusive relationship may also develop mental health concerns, like:

  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Social isolation, withdrawal and feeling lonely
  • Having nightmares
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • PTSD
  • Developing an eating disorder
  • Developing a substance use disorder

Someone may also develop physical issues, like:

  • Tight muscles
  • Racing heart
  • Body aches and pains
  • Chronic psychosomatic pain or physical pain
  • Sleep issues
  • Heart disease
  • Headaches and migraines

How to Leave an Abusive Relationship

Making the decision and plan to leave an abusive relationship can seem very scary and difficult even though the way you are being treated is unacceptable. You may have your finances and housing intermingled, which can be hard to separate. You may be experiencing trauma bonding as well, making the idea of leaving even more challenging. You may also be so isolated from friends and family that you don’t know how to contact anyone for support. You are not alone and you’re brave for taking steps to leave a toxic relationship.

Gordon cautions, “If you are thinking of leaving an abusive relationship, you need to have a safe place to go, a safe way to get there (car keys, gas money, bus fare), and a clear plan. You also want to have access to important documents like your passport or birth certificate, insurance cards, or car registrations. Keep those in one place so you can grab them easily. If you can, try to build up some money that you have secure or job skills you can use once you’re safe.”

Here are seven steps to take if you’re ready to leave an abusive relationship:3

1. Be Aware of Red Flags

When you sense that your abuser is going to get angry and you can anticipate that something may happen, stay vigilant. When you sense this is happening, plan to have reasons to leave the house. Have a story or explanation that will be believed both during the day and at night.

2. Find Safe Spots

If your abuser starts to get angry and you feel they may become abusive, locate a safe area of the house where you can go. Make sure these areas have access to a window and a phone. Try to avoid places with no exits such as closets. Also, connect with a neighbor or friend as well and come up with a plan to leave the house and go elsewhere.

3. Have a Code Word

Come up with language or a gesture that you can use to alert others that you are in danger and to seek help. A code word, a facial expression, or a hand gesture are all ways to communicate discreetly. Know where you can go in case of an emergency and locate potential shelters.

4. Have a Go Bag Ready

Make sure you have a packed bag with the essentials that you can grab and leave the house with. A key, car keys, clothes, cash, phone numbers, documents, etc. Asking a friend or relative to keep copies of all of these is important as well. Make sure you have access to the location you are fleeing to, whether that is a shelter or a friend’s house (a key hidden in a specific spot) so you are not stuck without a place to go to.

5. Do a Practice Drill

Practice leaving the house and go over your exit plan so you know what to do. If you have children, have them participate so they also know what to do.

6. Don’t Use a Phone That Your Abuser Has Access To

This phone might have information such as location tracking, account information, and billing. Use a go phone, a prepaid phone, payphone or a friend’s phone if you need to make phone calls. The same goes for other devices such as computers and tablets.

7. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help

If you are in an abusive situation and need help getting out, there is no shame in asking for help. Connect with trusted friends and loved ones to help you get to safety and out of the volatile relationship. There are many resources available that can help you heal and move forward. Many domestic violence shelters and organizations give victims access to legal support, therapy, children’s services, healthcare, employment support, educational services, and financial assistance. Your information will remain private and protected as shelters are aware that abusers oftentimes search for their escaped victim.4

BetterHelp has over 20,000 licensed therapists who provide convenient and affordable online therapy. BetterHelp starts at $60 per week. Complete a brief questionnaire and get matched with the right therapist for you.

Choosing Therapy partners with leading mental health companies and is compensated for marketing by BetterHelp

Visit BetterHelp

How a Therapist’s Support Can Help

Given the emotional volatility of an abusive relationship, it’s important to seek help immediately if you feel you are in danger of any kind. You do not need to endure any kind of abuse in a relationship and are not obligated to stay or try to work things out. Abuse should never be tolerated and a therapist can help you normalize this into an internalized belief.5 A therapist can help you unlearn unhealthy relationship patterns, deal with any relationship PTSD you’re experiencing, and learn what healthy relationships look like.

When to Get Started

Ideally, the right time to get help with these relationship issues is when one or both partners identifies an issue in the relationship, far before abuse actually begins. It can be challenging to talk about with your partner, so it’s important to consider individual or couples therapy, depending on what your issues are.

Should We Go to Therapy Together?

Seeking therapy is a big challenge for those with abusive behaviors in part due to the major gaps in self awareness that don’t allow them to recognize areas for self-improvement. It may be likely that the victim in the relationship is the one to initiate therapy, either individually or couples therapy. The act of going to therapy and having someone listen without judgment and feel that your needs matter can help restore some of the self worth that was lost due to the abuse you’ve endured.

Finding a Therapist

A great way to find a therapist for these types of relationships is by searching an online directory where you can search for someone who has experience with abuse in relationships. All licensed therapists can be equipped to help people struggling with these issues. Reading reviews and looking at clinician bios to understand their scope of practice can give you an idea of whether their experience suits your situation. Many therapists offer a free phone consultation and teletherapy visits.

Another way to locate a therapist is by referral, which can come from a trusted loved one or a physician. Healthcare providers often have access to a network of other providers who can be helpful. Going through your primary care provider is also a great way to keep them in the loop about any treatment options or trauma experienced in the relationship.

Supporting a Friend in an Abusive Relationship

It can be difficult to know how to help someone who feels trapped in an abusive relationship. The best thing you can do is be there for them as a consistent source of support.

Gordon says, “The most important thing you can do is to maintain a relationship. Abusers often isolate their victims, and so just being a steady presence makes you a lifeline. Keep in contact. Don’t try to push your friend to leave before they’re ready or try to force them to acknowledge their partner is abusive. That can backfire and leave your friend even more isolated. Just remaining in their lives, and expressing that you’re there for them is the best way to help. That way, when they feel ready, you can help them get to safety or access other supports.”

Final Thoughts

If you are dealing with issues stemming from toxic or abusive relationships, talking to a therapist can make a big difference in how you feel. Abuse in any form should not be tolerated, but therapy and reaching out to your support network can help you recognize this and develop an exit plan.

Additional Resources

Education is just the first step on our path to improved mental health and emotional wellness. To help our readers take the next step in their journey, Choosing Therapy has partnered with leaders in mental health and wellness. Choosing Therapy may be compensated for marketing by the companies mentioned below.

BetterHelp (Online Therapy) – Relationships aren’t easy – a licensed therapist can help. Live sessions can be done via phone, video, or live-chat. Plus, you can message your therapist whenever you want. Visit BetterHelp

Online-Therapy.com (Online Couples Therapy) – Do you and your partner want to work together to have less arguments and better communication? Are there children involved and being caught in the crossfire? Do you love each other but are having a rough time operating as one unit? Couples therapy can help. Get Started

Ritual (Relationship Guidance) – Ritual provides guidance to individuals working to improve their relationship, or couples working jointly. Ritual combines video sessions led by a relationship expert, with short online activities. 14-day money-back guarantee. Try Ritual

OurRelationship (Free Couples Course) – OurRelationship has been proven to help couples improve communication, intimacy, and trust. 94% would recommend it to a friend. Get Started

Sesh (Online Support Group) – Would attending an interactive webinar on “Pressing The Brakes On Gaslighting”, “Letting Go The Anger Towards Loved Ones”, or “Creating Healthy Relationships” be helpful? Sesh offers over 100 sessions per month! Free One Month Trial

Mindfulness.com (App) – During a disagreement, controlling one’s anger can be difficult, particularly if your partner starts yelling. Mindfulness can prevent one from saying and doing things that lead to regret. Free 7-Day Trial

Choosing Therapy partners with leading mental health companies and is compensated for marketing by BetterHelp, Online-Therapy.com, Ritual, OurRelationship, Sesh, and Mindfulness.com

For Further Reading

  • Mental Health America
  • National Alliance on Mental Health
  • MentalHealth.gov

Abusive Relationship Infographics

Abusive Relationship Signs Abusive Relationship Signs How to Leave an Abusive Relationship

Abusive Relationships - How a Therapist's Support Can Help

5 sources

Choosing Therapy strives to provide our readers with mental health content that is accurate and actionable. We have high standards for what can be cited within our articles. Acceptable sources include government agencies, universities and colleges, scholarly journals, industry and professional associations, and other high-integrity sources of mental health journalism. Learn more by reviewing our full editorial policy.

  • Kerr, G., Willson, E., & Stirling, A. (2020). “It Was the Worst Time in My Life”: The Effects of Emotionally Abusive Coaching on Female Canadian National Team Athletes. Women in Sport and Physical Activity Journal, 28(1), 81-89.

  • Cervantes, M. V., & Sherman, J. (2021). Falling for the ones that were abusive: Cycles of violence in low-income women’s intimate relationships. Journal of interpersonal violence, 36(13-14), NP7567-NP7595.

  • Barrios, V. R., Khaw, L. B. L., Bermea, A., & Hardesty, J. L. (2020). Future directions in intimate partner violence research: An intersectionality framework for analyzing women’s processes of leaving abusive relationships. Journal of interpersonal violence, 0886260519900939.

  • Perry, S., & Frampton, I. (2018). Measuring the effectiveness of individual therapy on the well‐being of children and young people who have experienced abusive relationships, particularly domestic violence: A case study. Counselling and Psychotherapy Research, 18(4), 356-368.

  • Murphy, C. M., Eckhardt, C. I., Clifford, J. M., LaMotte, A. D., & Meis, L. A. (2020). Individual versus group cognitive-behavioral therapy for partner-violent men: a preliminary randomized trial. Journal of interpersonal violence, 35(15-16), 2846-2868.

update history

We regularly update the articles on ChoosingTherapy.com to ensure we continue to reflect scientific consensus on the topics we cover, to incorporate new research into our articles, and to better answer our audience’s questions. When our content undergoes a significant revision, we summarize the changes that were made and the date on which they occurred. We also record the authors and medical reviewers who contributed to previous versions of the article. Read more about our editorial policies here.

  • Originally Published: October 20, 2021
    Original Author: Silvi Saxena, MBA, MSW, LSW, CCTP, OSW-C
    Original Reviewer: Rajy Abulhosn, MD

  • Updated: September 2, 2022
    Author: No Change
    Reviewer: No Change
    Primary Changes: Updated for readability and clarity. Reviewed and added relevant resources. Added “What You Might Feel or Say When You’re in an Abusive Relationship”. New material written by Silvi Saxena, MBA, MSW, LSW, CCTP, OSW-C and reviewed by Kristen Fuller, MD.

Recent Articles

Emotional Intimacy in Marriage_ 15 Tips for Building and Repairing It
Emotional Intimacy in Marriage: 15 Tips for Building and Repairing It
Emotional intimacy is a feeling of closeness and connection with someone, a sense of being known and knowing another...
';
Breakup Grief
Breakup Grief: What Is It & How to Overcome
Experiencing grief from a breakup is definitely a possibility. Breaking up is a hard process to go through, and...
';
Signs of Sociopathic Husbands _ How to Deal With Them
10 Signs of Sociopathic Husbands & How To Deal With Them
A relationship with a sociopathic husband is often defined by his charm, charisma, and quick wit, especially at the...
';
What Are the Five Love Languages
What Are the 5 Love Languages? Types, Benefits, and Criticisms
In his groundbreaking book, The Five Languages of Love, Gary Chapman describes five different types of love languages: words...
';
What to Consider About Dating When Separated
What to Consider About Dating When Separated
Depending on your specific circumstances, dating when you’re separated from your spouse may have various legal and emotional implications....
';
Contempt in Relationships: Signs, Dangers, & How to Overcome
Contempt in Relationships: Signs, Dangers, & How to Overcome
Contempt in a relationship will often show itself as sarcasm, eye-rolling, sneering, mocking, cynicism, name-calling, and/or mean humor -...
';
Headshot of Silvi Saxena, MBA, MSW, LSW, CCTP, OSW-C
Written by:

Silvi Saxena

MBA, MSW, LSW, CCTP, OSW-C
Headshot of Rajy Abulhosn, MD
Reviewed by:

Rajy Abulhosn

MD
  • Abusive Relationship Signs25 Signs
  • Types of Abuse in RelationshipsTypes
  • What You Might Feel or Say When You’re in an Abusive RelationshipHow Survivors Feel
  • Effects of Abusive RelationshipsEffects
  • How to Leave an Abusive RelationshipHow to Leave
  • How a Therapist’s Support Can HelpTherapy
  • Supporting a Friend in an Abusive RelationshipSupport a Friend
  • Final ThoughtsConclusion
  • Additional ResourcesResources
  • Abusive Relationship InfographicsInfographics
If you are in need of immediate medical help:
Medical
Emergency
911
Suicide Hotline
800-273-8255
See more Crisis Hotlines
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Write for Us
  • Careers
  • Editorial Policy
  • Advertising Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • No Surprises Act
For immediate help call:
Medical Emergency:
911
Suicide Hotline:
988
Click For More Crisis Hotlines
For immediate help call:
Medical Emergency:
911
Suicide Hotline:
811
See more Crisis Hotlines
here
logo
This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information:
verify here.
This website is certified by Health On the Net Foundation. Click to verify.
Choosing Therapy Logo
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit Cookie Settings to provide controlled consent. Cookie settings ACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

We use cookies to facilitate website functionality. Also, we use third-party cookies to track your website behavior and target advertising. These cookies are stored in your browser only with your consent, and you have the choice of opting out.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non Necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.

Save & Accept