You feel anxious, worried and stressed out because you feel like you've upset your partner by meeting up with an old friend, or they've found a text they don't like on your phone.

You feel apprehensive and fearful that they might end the relationship because you haven't abided by their expectations, however arbitrary they may seem.

You feel like you can never confront them about their treatment of you because they'll dismiss you as crazy or disregard your questions altogether.

You're afraid to tell them something because of how they'll react.

You are belittled and made to feel small.

Do these apply to you? These are all signs of a controlling relationship.

These things once applied to me, so I know the hurt, pain, and inner turmoil a controlling spouse causes. I've written this book to help you decide if you're with a controlling partner because I know from experience the signs can be subtle, and if you have nobody close to you to talk to, getting validation and affirmation can be challenging.

To help you better recognise a toxic relationship, I've compiled these red flag warnings of a controlling partner. Understanding this complex and often covert abuse in a relationship ensures that you're better equipped to deal with it.