Four Signs of Relationships Rife with Emotional Abuse, Be Wary from the Start

Violence in relationships is not always physical. Many people find themselves trapped in relationships that are emotionally and psychologically painful, yet difficult to recognise because they are cloaked in words of love. A licensed psychologist and founder of the Couples Learn therapy, Sarah Schewitz, explains that emotional abuse can include belittling a partner, calling them harsh names, manipulating them to feel unsafe, labelling them as crazy, as well as lying or cheating. ‘Abusive behaviour often stems from a person’s inability to regulate their nervous system, unresolved past trauma, and a lack of understanding of how to maintain a healthy relationship,’ she said, as cited by PopSugar, Wednesday (4/3/2026). One pattern that frequently appears is love bombing, i.e., when a partner displays excessive attention, affection, and promises of commitment at the start of a relationship. Love bombing aims to build bonds and trust rapidly. Scientifically, this condition floods the body with dopamine, a neurotransmitter that induces feelings of pleasure and euphoria. However, this sensation can create emotional dependence on the partner. A relationship that begins with extreme intensity often changes drastically when the honeymoon phase ends. After the bond is formed, the perpetrator may begin to show manipulative or belittling behaviour, while the victim stays because they remember how wonderful the early phase was. They may promise something and then renege on it, then become defensive or angry when reminded. In some cases, the perpetrator even makes their partner feel they are excessive or crazy for questioning it. Some people also opt to remain silent and refuse to discuss problems, so the partner’s feelings are not validated. This pattern creates emotional confusion and causes the victim to doubt their own perceptions. The mismatch between words and actions becomes a subtle form of manipulation that slowly erodes self-confidence. The perpetrator can suggest that their partner is not clever enough, not attractive enough, or not good enough.