Questions that may help you to know whether you are
experiencing psychological or emotional abuse:

Does your partner ...

• seem irritated or angry with you several times a week?

• yell at you, call you names, tell you there is something wrong with you, or make comments that hurt you?

• cause you to feel confused, frustrated, upset, or on guard all the time?

• disrespect, criticize, blame, belittle, dominate, or threaten you?

• cause you to doubt yourself or distrust your own feelings and perceptions?

• embarrass you in front of others, perhaps even your children?
   
• look at you or act in ways that scare you?
   
• control what you do,  who you see or talk to, or where you go?
   
• stop you from seeing or talking to friends or family?
   
• take your money, make you ask for money, or refuse to give you money?
   
• make all the decisions?
   
• tell you you are a bad parent or threaten to take away or hurt your children?
   
• act like the abuse is not big deal, it's your fault, or even deny doing it?
   
• destroy your property or threaten to kill your pets?
   
• intimidate you with guns, knives, or other weapons? (very dangerous!)
   
• do things to keep you from getting the sleep you need?
   
• threaten to commit suicide or say he can't live without you? (very dangerous!)
   
• threaten to kill you? (very dangerous!)

These behaviors are not normal in a relationship.  They are unhealthy, unloving, and disrespectful.