What are some examples of emotionally abusive behaviour?

[JJm1234]

I’ve been recently seeing someone and had a few instances where I’ve thought his behaviour had been a little off. I’m not sure if it’s just me overthinking it, so I wondered what were some of the ways people can be emotionally abusive

[Heartache0405]

Have Unrealistic Expectations
Emotionally abusive people display unrealistic expectations. Some examples include:


Making unreasonable demands of you
Expecting you to put everything aside and meet their needs
Demanding you spend all of your time together
Being dissatisfied no matter how hard you try or how much you give
Criticizing you for not completing tasks according to their standards
Expecting you to share their opinions (i. e., you are not permitted to have a different opinion)
Demanding that you name exact dates and times when discussing things that upset you (and when you cannot do this, they may dismiss the event as if it never happened)
​Invalidate You
Emotionally abusive people invalidate you. Some examples include:


Undermining, dismissing, or distorting your perceptions or your reality
Refusing to accept your feelings by trying to define how you should feel
Requiring you to explain how you feel over and over
Accusing you of being "too sensitive," "too emotional," or "crazy"
Refusing to acknowledge or accept your opinions or ideas as valid
Dismissing your requests, wants, and needs as ridiculous or unmerited
Suggesting that your perceptions are wrong or that you cannot be trusted by saying things like "you're blowing this out of proportion" or "you exaggerate"

Accusing you of being selfish, needy, or materialistic if you express your wants or needs (the expectation is that you should not have any wants or needs)
​Create Chaos
Emotionally abusive people create chaos. Some examples include:


Starting arguments for the sake of arguing
Making confusing and contradictory statements (sometimes called "crazy-making")
Having drastic mood changes or sudden emotional outbursts
Nitpicking at your clothes, your hair, your work, and more
Behaving so erratically and unpredictably that you feel like you are "walking on eggshells"
​Use Emotional Blackmail
Emotionally abusive people use emotional blackmail. Some examples include:


Manipulating and controlling you by making you feel guilty
Humiliating you in public or in private
Using your fears, values, compassion, or other hot buttons to control you or the situation
Exaggerating your flaws or pointing them out in order to deflect attention or to avoid taking responsibility for their poor choices or mistakes
Denying that an event took place or lying about it
Punishing you by withholding affection or giving you the silent treatment


Act Superior
Emotionally abusive people act superior and entitled. Some examples include:


Treating you like you are inferior
Blaming you for their mistakes and shortcomings
Doubting everything you say and attempting to prove you wrong
Making jokes at your expense
Telling you that your opinions, ideas, values, and thoughts are stupid, illogical, or "do not make sense"
Talking down to you or being condescending
Using sarcasm when interacting with you
Acting like they are always right, know what is best, and are smarter
Control and Isolate You
​Emotionally abusive people attempt to isolate and control you. Some examples include:2


Controlling who you see or spend time with including friends and family
Monitoring you digitally including text messages, social media, and email
Accusing you of cheating and being jealous of outside relationships
Taking or hiding your car keys
Demanding to know where you are at all times or using GPS to track your every move
Treating you like a possession or property
Criticizing or making fun of your friends, family, and co-workers
Using jealousy and envy as a sign of love and to keep you from being with others

Coercing you into spending all of your time together
Controlling the finances

[In_Trance]

When your interaction is over, are you feeling positive? Laughing? Missing him? Can't wait to see him again?

Anything less could be an indicator