You may be experiencing abuse in your relationship if…
You feel like you can “never get it right”
You find yourself always worried about what your partner’s reaction might be and you find yourself trying to say or do things differently in hopes of making your partner happy.
You feel as if you are “crazy”
You often feel as if you are broken, unworthy of love and affection, and you question your own perceptions and reality. For example, your partner may deny your experiences, your feelings, your words and/or actions.
You feel afraid
You have experienced physical abuse or threats of violence. Violence looks like a partner driving too fast and dangerously despite you asking her/him to slow down and be careful because you are afraid. Violence looks like a partner screaming and yelling at you and following you around the house, or not letting you leave a room or your home. When you feel frightened by your partner, you are experiencing violence in your relationship.
You feel confused
Your partner is a different person in public. He/she can be the life of the party and people find him/her charming and fun. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is a term to describe the often changing personality of an abusive partner. Your partner can shower you with gifts and love and affection one day and then be angry, physically, verbally or emotionally abusive the next.
Domestic violence is complex and can leave us feeling uncertain, afraid, and hopeless. But there is hope. Hope begins with feeling heard and validated for your experience. Hope begins by reaching out to a counselor who understands the dynamics of abuse and who can help you untangle the aftermath of experiencing abuse and violence in a relationship. I am a survivor and I understand being both a victim and the powerful healing process toward hope.
If you feel you are in an abusive relationship, live in North Carolina and are considering counseling, contact me at 336-901-2999 for a free 15 minute phone consultation. If you need immediate support please call the 24 hour National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or if you fear for your safety, please call 911 now.
