Signs of an Emotionally Abusive Husband

Abuse from your husband could be either physical or mental, notes Maria Bogdanos, writing for PsychCentral.com. There are various indicators that can help you determine whether or not your husband is abusive toward you or your family. Evaluate your husband's behavior to determine whether you should seek help before his actions escalate into spousal abuse that involves physical violence.

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Control

An emotionally abusive husband may attempt to make you feel subservient to keep you trapped in the marriage. A controlling spouse may assert dominance by controlling the finances and giving you a small allowance, making all of the household decisions and treating you like a servant. He may also limit your opportunities to see friends and family members, and prevent you from getting a job so that you are emotionally and economically dependent on him.

Humiliation

Having your husband insult and humiliate you in public and private may be a sign of emotional abuse. Bogdanos notes that people who are emotionally abusive toward others may put friends and loved ones down in front of others. Your husband may also have a habit of disregarding your feelings toward mistreatment. If he's emotionally abusive he may call you names or humiliate you in front of friends by pointing out your faults or reacting sarcastically when you offer your opinion.

Jealousy

Extreme jealousy may also be an emotional abuse sign. An abusive husband may ask for detailed accounts of everything you do when you're apart, consider any interaction with another man an act of flirtation, frequently accuse you of infidelity or act possessive of you when the two of you are out in public. You may be an emotional abuse victim if you're apprehensive whenever a man looks or smiles at you in public because you fear that your spouse will read too much into it.

Intimidation

If your husband is emotionally abusive, a sign of this abuse is that you may feel timid or apprehensive when he is around because you fear you'll trigger his wrath. An emotionally abusive spouse may use threats of physical violence, statements that he'll end the marriage or unpredictable, emotional outbursts to unsettle you, so you'll be too afraid to assert yourself.

Denial

If your husband is emotionally abusive, he may use excuses and accusations to make you believe that his behavior is your fault, notes the Help Guide website. Your spouse may claim that your ignorance, mistakes, secrecy or flirtation was the reason for a recent outburst. He may indicate that your stupidity requires him to control all of your finances and control all of the family decisions. The Help Guide also states that an abusive husband may deny the severity of his hurtful actions, trivialize your reactions or blame his behavior on stress or a bad day.