It is not easy to spot red flags when in a relationship. No matter how long you have been with your partner, it is worth occasionally reevaluating the health of your relationship.
WebMD has provided seven red flags you should look out for.
Anger
Although it is a normal human emotion, anger is difficult to control. A sign that your partner is not emotionally healthy would be that they would lash out, even for the smallest of things. If your partner uses anger to inspire fear or to maintain control, that is a definite red flag as they are being emotionally abusive.
Control
If your partner tells you what you should wear, consistently keeps tabs on you, or has access to all your social media accounts and personal messages, that is a display of controlling behaviour, even if it seems as if it is coming from a good place.
Isolation
During a relationship, the partner might isolate their significant other from connections, such as family and friends, to maintain control over them. This would not occur in a healthy relationship where there would be encouragement to pursue goals and self-interests.
Emotional immaturity during conflict
Here, the partner might ignore their own responsibility when an issue arises, give the silent treatment or make inappropriate jokes when there should be a discussion. A partner that is severely emotionally immature might take things further by lashing out physically, diverting to name-calling, or belittling their partner.
Violence
A huge red flag to look out for is any type of violence: physical, sexual, or psychological aggression. Stalking and refusing to take no for an answer can also be a form of psychological aggression.
Dishonesty
Your partner may lie about who they are texting or where they are going. ‘White lies’ – where a person would lie to spare the next person’s feelings or make a good impression on a first date – will not significantly taint your relationship. However, chronic lying should be something to look out for, as it shows a lack of respect and trust.
Blurry boundaries
Your partner should respect the following boundaries:
- Financial: Your money is your money, unless it is agreed upon that one person will deal with the financial matters.
- Physical: It is a huge red flag if your partner does not respect your body, even if you were intimate with them previously.
- Emotional: Respect one another’s emotional boundaries. When one or both partners are codependent, they tend to not function properly without the other’s input on life decisions.
WebMD advises that people should take red flags seriously and not make excuses for their partner’s poor behaviour. It is not your job to fix your significant other. Pay attention to warning signs and focus on finding someone who gives you the respect you deserve.
If you feel unsafe, reach out to a close relative or friend, doctor or mental health counsellor.
