Warning Signs of a Controlling Relationship

1. Extreme jealousy: One of the major signs of controlling behaviour is extreme jealousy. A controlling partner will get jealous if you spend time with your friends and will often get annoyed if you talk to a member of the opposite sex - even in innocent situations such as at the checkout.
2. They always choose what to do: In a controlling relationship you will constantly do what the controlling partner wants to do. They will tell you what to wear, what to eat and how to do almost everything his or her way. They may threaten you if you do not obey them.
3. They always want to know where you are: A controlling partner will want to know where you are at all times. They may call all over to locate you, phone you repeatedly, and pressure you to finish your activities or return home. They quiz you as to where you have been, who you were with, and want a detailed account of your activities. They may even decide to accompany you in order to keep an eye on you.
4. No outside activities: The controlling partner will stop enjoyment of your hobbies or activities. You will find that most of your activities have been taken over in some way. The controller may come with you or somehow make it difficult or near impossible for you to engage in activities you formerly enjoyed. They may also demand that you do not work.
5. Isolated from family and friends: The controlling partner will find some reason to discourage you or get very angry when you want to spend time with your friends or family. They may not allow you to use the phone, email or write letters. Or they may listen in on your conversations. This is designed to cut off your support network and socially isolate you.

Signs of a controlling relationship
Men that are controlling
Breakup advice
Fixing a relationship
Breakup to makeup

Stay or go? Your first step in finding an answer to this question is to work out a balance sheet. What are the pros and cons of staying in and getting out? Make a list and discover what keeps you in the relationship. Include all the factors and be totally honest with yourself. There is no shame in staying in a relationship because you are economically dependent, or because you are worried about how your family and friends will react. Any reason that is recognized and is important enough to you is valid.
The next step is to evaluate the items on this list and give them a weighting. Again, it is important to consider what matters to you. We all have different personalities and so will weight matters differently. Many people feel, for example, that their own personal, intellectual or career development has to be compromised or sacrificed for the sake of marriage or a permanent relationship. Others find that they cannot endure the frustration that results from such a situation and will leave a relationship that does not allow them to fulfil their own potential.
For many people, especially those who have already been married and divorced, fear of further failure is given a heavy weighting in the assessment of reasons for staying in any relationship.
Remember, however, that fear of hurting you partner is not the best reason for staying in a relationship that is producing much misery.

Some relationships should survive, but others should not. Ask yourself the following questions. Your answers will indicate whether or not it is worth continuing.
- Do I still care about my partner?
- Have we lost our appeal for each other?
- Would I go out of my way to support my partner?
- Do we have common interests?
- If my partner left me, how would I feel?
- Is my partner my best friend?
- Do we still respect each other?
- Do I feel disillusioned with our relationship?
- Can we overcome the sources of irritation?
- Have we grown together or apart?
- Would I feel happier if we separated?
- How do I feel when I look back on our life together?