Low self esteem is a very common issue that plagues a great many people. It can lead to feelings of worthlessness, inferiority, incompetence, and depression symptoms. Many factors can influence one's self esteem negatively, but one factor that is sometimes overlooked is the impact of intimate relationships upon self esteem. A toxic or emotionally abusive relationship does have an effect on how you feel about yourself. Here are 6 signs in a relationship that can negatively impact your self esteem:
1. Your partner insults you on a regular basis, privately or publicly. He or she may resort to blatant name calling, or it may be more subtle forms of criticism of the way you do simple things, who you are as a person, and even how stable you are mentally.
2. Your partner may attempt to control your daily activities. You may feel compelled to give a regular account of what you do day to day, and defend or justify your choices. Ultimately, you may find yourself deciding to do activities that you know your partner will approve of just to avoid the confrontation and unpleasantness of dealing with your partner's reaction.
3. Your partner may attempt to limit your time with friends and family. He or she may prohibit you from seeing certain people, or may actually be more manipulative about things, saying something like, "I can't believe that you would choose to spend time with him or her over time with me." Keeping you isolated is a good way to assert control and ensure you hear fewer messages affirming you, or criticizing your partner. In this way your partner has a greater influence over the way you think and can program you as he or she sees fit.
4. Your partner may use sex as a tool of control and manipulation. He or she may demand physical intimacy, regardless of your comfort or desires, or may conversely deny you sex and affection deliberately to keep you feeling vulnerable, rejected, and at the mercy of his or her whim.
5. Your partner may threaten non-physical consequences for not complying with what he or she wants or demands. On occasion your partner may present an offering to you, often after a particularly bad event or behavior that has angered or upset you and caused you to withdraw from the relationship. He or she may then do something kind, not to establish a new pattern of behavior, but to draw you back into the relationship, at which time the emotional abuse will begin again.
6. Your partner discourages or limits your education or work opportunities, in an attempt to keep you dependent and under control.
Are you interested in addressing your life challenges from a holistic standpoint, assessing the physical, emotional, and relationship components?
For a free copy of my ebook, "Natural Methods To Fight Depression", click here: http://www.stoptoxicrelationships.com/gifts-naturalmethodstofightdepression.html
Shannon Cook is a personal growth and relationship expert who has written a number of informative articles and ebooks on the topic of toxic relationships and holistic personal growth, including physical, emotional and relationship health.
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