Edward Cullen is an abusive, controlling boyfriend!

From the Mayo Clinic Web site:

Abuse often starts subtly and gets worse over time.

For example, abuse may begin with occasional hurtful comments, jealousy or controlling behavior.

As it gets worse, the abuse may become more frequent, severe or violent.

You may be a victim of abuse if you're in a relationship with someone who:

• Controls finances, so you have to ask for money

• Looks at you or acts in ways that scare you

• Acts jealous or possessive, or accuses you of being unfaithful

• Tries to control how you spend your time, who you see or talk to, where you go or what you wear

• Wants you to get permission to make everyday decisions

• Gets angry when drinking alcohol or using drugs

• Scares you by driving recklessly

• Threatens to kill him or herself

You are very likely in an abusive relationship if you have a relationship with someone who does even one of the following:

• Hits, kicks, shoves, slaps, or chokes you or threatens you with violence or a weapon

• Forces you to have sexual intercourse or engage in sexual acts against your will

• Calls you names, insults you or puts you down

• Prevents you from going to work or school

• Stops you from seeing family members and friends

• Hurts, or threatens to hurt you, your children or pets

• Destroys your property

• Controls your access to medicines

• Blames you for his or her violent behavior or tells you that you deserve it

• Says that his or her abusive behavior is no big deal or even denies doing it

• Tries to force you to drop charges

• Tries to prevent you from calling the police or seeking medical care

Abusive relationships share similar characteristics.

In all cases, the abuser aims to exert power and control over his partner.

Although a lot of people think domestic violence is about anger, it really isn't.

It's about trying to instill fear and wanting to have power and control in the relationship.

In an abusive relationship, the abuser may use varying tactics, including:

Time after time, Edward has been verbally abusive to Bella.

Sometimes it is joking and playful—other times it is simply unneccessary.

I'm certain that dozens if not hundreds will comment this lens to disagree, or to justify, but it is simply wrong to do.

Bella, it's not my fault if you are exceptionally unobservant.

Bella, you are utterly absurd.

Honestly—I've seen corpses with better color.

Don't be offended, but you seem to be one of those people who just attract accidents like a magnet. So try not to fall into the ocean or get run over or anything, all right?

Only you could get into trouble in a town this small.

I've never tried to keep a specific person alive before, and it's much more troublesome than I would have believed. But that's probably just because it's you. Ordinary people seem to make it through the day without so many catastrophes.

Are you referring to the fact that you can't walk across a flat, stable surface without finding something to trip over?

You are a terrible actress—I'd say that career path is out for you.

Damn it, Bella! You'll be the death of me, I swear you will.

Now relax before I call the nurse back to sedate you.

If we could bottle your luck, we'd have a weapon of mass destruction on our hands.

I wasn't about to send you off alone. With your luck, not even the black box would survive.

You aren't exactly the best judge of what is or isn't dangerous.

Must I always be the responsible one?

Can you think of an incident in the Twilight saga that reminds you of this? Sound off in the Duel below.

How many times—in just the first book alone—was Bella afraid of Edward, afraid to look at him, afraid of what his reaction might be?

How many times did she attempt to sneak around and do something behind his back because she knew it would anger him?

Threats of suicide are serious.

So is acting in a threatening manner toward friends or family.

These are no laughing matter in a real life relationship.

I infuriate myself. The way I can't seem to keep from putting you in danger. My very existence puts you at risk. Sometimes I truly hate myself.

Edward Cullen, Twilight, Chapter 17

Well, I wasn't going to live without you... I was thinking maybe I would go to Italy and do something to provoke the Volturi... Anyway, you don't irritate the Volturi. Not unless you want to die—or whatever it is we do.

Edward Cullen, New Moon, Chapter 1

I thought I'd explained it clearly before. Bella, I can't live in a world where you don't exist.

Edward Cullen, New Moon

How often has Edward made choices for Bella that she did not agree with and was powerless to change?

In what strange parallel dimension would I ever have gone to prom of my own free will? If you weren't a thousand times stronger than me, I would never have let you get away with this.

Bella Swan, Twilight, Epilogue

How many of these things have happened in the Twilight saga?

He disabled her truck so she couldn't leave.

He bribed Alice to monitor her—virtually imprison her—in his absence.

He forbid her to see her best friend under any circumstances.

Although this does not apply to Edward and Bella, I felt it important to include all items for educational reasons.

Although this does not apply to Edward and Bella, I felt it important to include all items for educational reasons.

From Women's Web comes this list of various types of abuse.

Physical

• Hitting, punching, slapping

• Kicking

• Choking

• Biting

• Burning

• Shoving

• Using objects or weapons

• Locking up or confining

• Interfering with sleeping or eating

• Restricting the mobility or access of a differently abled partner

Sexual

• Forcing sexual acts

• Sexual assault with or without weapons or objects used as weapons

• Assault for refusal to engage in sexual activity

Psychological or emotional

• Repetitive and excessive criticism

• Humiliation and degradation, which can include swearing, name calling and put-downs

• Restricting or controlling access to personal or social resources or friends

• Homophobic, racist, misogynistic attacks (degrading and hostile remarks about your sexual orientation, heritage, or gender)

• Threats or harm to pets

Threats

• Direct intentions to harm you, your family, or your friends

• Threats that affect child custody, legal, immigration, or sponsorship status

• Threats to reveal lesbian identity against your wishes

Economic

• Controlling finances

• Stealing money

• Creating debt

• Interfering with employment or education

Destruction of property

• Destruction of property or personal items

Stalking/harassing behavior

• Following

• Appearing unexpectedly at or waiting outside workplace or home

• Repeated phone calls or mail/email to victim and/or family, friends, or colleagues

Domestic violence is part of a continuing cycle that's difficult to break. If you're in an abusive situation, you may recognize this pattern:

• Your abuser strikes using words or actions.

• Your abuser may beg for forgiveness, offer gifts or promise to change.

• Your abuser becomes tense, angry or depressed.

• Your abuser repeats the abusive behavior.

Typically each time the abuse occurs, it worsens, and the cycle shortens. As it gets worse, you may have a hard time doing anything about the abuse or even acknowledging it.

Over time, an abusive relationship can break you down and unravel your sense of reality and self-esteem. You may begin to doubt your ability to take care of yourself. You may start to feel like the abuse is your fault, or you may even feel you deserve it.