Do you cancel dates with your girlfriends if he's against it? Do you change your weekend plans to please him?
Congratulations: you are trapped in codependency.
Psychologists identify four key signs that turn healthy relationships into toxic slavery.
The first is an excuse for his mistakes. "He's yelling because he's tired," "He forgot about his birthday - he has work."
Such thoughts do not forgive your partner, but destroy your boundaries.
Example: Alina turned a blind eye to her husband's rudeness for years until he insulted her mother. "I realized that if he doesn't respect me, he doesn't respect my loved ones either."
The second sign is the fear of saying “no.” You agree to uncomfortable proposals (like moving to another city) because you’re afraid of his reaction.
Psychologists call this "hostage syndrome": you sacrifice your own interests to avoid conflict.
The third marker is isolation from loved ones. If he persistently criticizes your friends or family, and you gradually break ties - this is not love, this is control.
The fourth and most dangerous sign is a feeling of guilt for his problems.
“He drinks because I’m not good enough,” “He cheats because I’m bad in bed.” Such attitudes lead to a loss of self-esteem.
Real case: Elena, 35, admitted after a divorce: "I thought I deserved his humiliation. Therapy helped me understand: he is just a manipulator."
How to break free? Start small: bring back a forgotten hobby or make an appointment with someone you've been avoiding for a long time.
If your partner reacts with aggression, it confirms the problem. Remember: healthy relationships are built on respect, not sacrifice.
