When it comes to relationships, possessiveness can be a warning sign of a potentially abusive and controlling partner.
While some level of jealousy and protectiveness can be normal, it’s important to recognize the difference between healthy behavior and possessiveness.
Possessive behavior can manifest in a variety of ways, from constantly checking in on you to trying to control who you spend time with.
In this article, we will explore some of the warning signs of a possessive man and what you can do if you are in a relationship with someone who displays these behaviors.
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What Is Possessiveness?
Possessiveness is a behavior characterized by an excessive desire to control and dominate another person, often in a romantic or intimate relationship.
It can manifest in a variety of ways, such as jealousy, controlling behavior, and an unwillingness to allow their partner to spend time with others.
Possessive behavior is not healthy or normal in a relationship, and can often be a warning sign of more serious issues, such as emotional or physical abuse.
It’s important to recognize possessive behavior and take action to address it, either through setting boundaries or seeking help from a professional.
Why Are Some Men Possessive?
The reasons why some men may exhibit possessive behavior in relationships can vary. In some cases, it may stem from a lack of trust or insecurity, leading them to feel threatened by their partner’s interactions with others.
In other cases, possessiveness may be a result of learned behavior or cultural norms that suggest that men should be dominant and in control.
Additionally, mental health issues such as anxiety or attachment disorders can also contribute to possessive behavior.
It’s important to remember that possessiveness is not a healthy or acceptable behavior, and seeking help and support can be crucial for both the individual exhibiting possessive behavior and their partner.
Signs of a Possessive Man
There are several signs that may indicate that a man is possessive in a relationship.
These signs can include constantly checking in on their partner, being overly jealous or suspicious, trying to control who their partner spends time with, and exhibiting aggressive or controlling behavior.
Other warning signs may include making their partner feel guilty for spending time away from them or insisting on knowing every detail of their partner’s life.
It’s important to recognize these signs and take action to address possessive behavior, as it can be a warning sign of more serious issues such as emotional or physical abuse.
Seeking support from a professional or trusted friend or family member can be helpful in navigating this difficult situation.
1. He is jealous
Many people experience and struggle with jealousy. If you’ve ever experienced infidelity, you’ll know there’s a spectrum.
Someone with trust issues may question your friendship with an ex or have doubts about your best male friend. A possessive male, though, will go beyond mere curiosity.
He may demand to look at your phone, tell you not to hang out with these individuals, or even force you to block them on social media.
A slightly jealous guy probably wouldn’t go crazy if he saw you chatting with your male pals online or hanging out with a group that included guys, but a possessive one might.
2. He always wants to know who you’re with
It’s cute if he phones you up when you two are apart to see how things are doing with you.
After all, he’s only making sure everything’s alright, but if he’s always questioning who you’re with, he may be getting a little too possessive. more like a possessive child than a mature adult
He might even check in over Face-Time to make sure you’re with your mom or girlfriend. He is paranoid and needs to know where you are and with whom at all times.
Too much dominance is unhealthy for any relationship and undermines the values of trust and autonomy.
3. He wants you to cover up
Perhaps he complimented you on how lovely you looked in your strapless dress on your first date.
You went on a third date with him, but he had you cover up by having you wear his jacket because you just brought a tank top and shorts. He might say that he’s worried about you getting sick or that other males will stare, but…
He’s the type who wants you all to himself, and not in a good way. He’s not trying to keep prying eyes away from you because he cares about you.
This lover is so possessive that he wants to be the only one who sees how beautiful you are. If other people are there, he doesn’t want you to worry about how you look.
4. He expects you to choose him first
Let’s say he asked you to do something, but you already have plans with your pals, sibling, or parents. He anticipates that you will no longer wish to meet with him.
Even if you’re out shopping with your mom or meeting a group of friends that includes boys, he wants to be your first priority.
5. You have to prove your loyalty to him, but he doesn’t prove anything to you
This is an area where many women experience difficulty. It’s not a huge problem if you try to contact him and he doesn’t respond for hours. But please, for the love of God, don’t be in the shower when he calls.
Nothing ever stops being said about it.
You must respect his judgment and make concessions, but he will never do the same.
6. He doesn’t want you going out with your friends or talking about your relationship
You should know there is a problem if you’ve reached the point where you’re introducing each other to your friends, but he doesn’t want to meet yours. Guys are aware that females converse.
They also understand that your buddies can see things you can’t.
He may also urge that you not discuss your relationship problems with anyone outside of the two of you.
If you vent to a trusted friend, she may help you see the situation clearly, giving you the strength to finally put an end to it. That is something he emphatically does not desire.
His possessive nature as a partner would lead him to try to persuade you that your friends are harmful to you.
You’re the one he’s after. When you’ve been with him, you could have noticed a disconnect from your pals. Because in truth, he is the one you need to avoid at all costs.
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7. He wants you to be private, but he wants everyone to know you’re his
He would prefer that you not spread rumors about him or your relationship. But he also wants everyone to know that the two of you are an item. In other words, you are “his.”
Even though he doesn’t want you to talk about him to others, he definitely wants you to show off your adorable couple images on social media often.
In that case, everyone will know you’re taken.
8. He may come across old-fashioned and gentlemanly at first
This is how they trap you and leave you defenseless. A man who is possessive may look attractive at first.
He can be the type to hold the door for you, insist on paying, and make a great impression on your loved ones.
Unfortunately, he persists in this manner.
He is setting the stage so that later developments are not questioned. You may have told yourself, “But he’s so lovely or he cares so much,” when you first noticed his possessive side.
A possessive man can’t be forgiven, no matter how polite he is.
9. He’s the main character
An early warning sign of a possessive partner is that the relationship centers solely on him.
You go anywhere he wants to go and eat whatever he wants to eat.
He doesn’t want to hang out with your crew when you invite him. You both swirl around him since he is the focal point of your relationship.
10. He’s charming
This makes sense, but a possessive male can actually be rather attractive. He uses this tactic to get you to give in to his possessiveness.
He’s a skilled actor who can make you feel bad about yourself for no good reason.
Everything he does, he does, or says to you, he justifies by saying it’s for you or the relationship.
He can obtain what he wants from you with just a smirk or a wink, regardless of how gorgeous he is. And he has a surprising knack for manipulating those around him.
11. He is all over your social media
He’ll show off his lover status by commenting on all of your images and giving you a lot of likes.
When you’re with him, he’ll brag about how hot you are, letting all the other dudes know that you’re taken.
He might be offended if you share “too sensual” pictures of yourself. He will also keep an eye on the things you enjoy and discuss.
12. He hates when you’re clingy
He knows better than anyone how to cling, yet he’ll tell you that if you do it, others will think you’re needy or weak.
He’s a hypocrite, for one thing, and he’s possessive without giving you the same freedom. He can’t belong to anyone, but you can and you must belong to him.
13. He’s clingy
His attachment to you is unbreakable. He must be in close contact with you at all times.
A jealous boyfriend will tote you around like a purse. He needs you to constantly be in his peripheral vision.
14. He pulls you away from friends and family
You’ll start to feel isolated from your friends and family as soon as you start dating a possessive man. He want your top spot.
You will feel obligated to sacrifice time with loved ones in order to spend it with him. He won’t offer assistance if you vent about your folks or your sibling.
Instead, he’ll try to drive a wedge between you two, hoping you’ll give in to his embrace and withdraw into your own little world.
15. He ignores your boundaries
Everyone has personal limits. He doesn’t care if you don’t want him reading your texts or if you just want some alone time.
Obviously, you shouldn’t check out his phone, but he insists on having unrestricted access to yours. He calls or texts you while you’re not available.
He doesn’t give a damn about your schedule.
16. He uses care and love as excuses
When he mistreats you or lashes out, he says it’s because he loves you so deeply.
He will try to blame his insecurity over losing you on jealousy. As he has never experienced anything like this before, he is likely to panic.
He will argue that his strong feelings provide an acceptable explanation for his actions.
A possessive partner will try to get the rug pulled out from under you while pretending to care deeply about you.
17. He threatens you
But, sometimes a boyfriend’s possessiveness is more mental than physical.
He will say hurtful things about you to other men and threaten to leave or dump you if he doesn’t get his way.
Don’t ever send him a photo of yourself, as he might use it as blackmail to keep you around.
18. He’s manipulative
Manipulative men are notoriously difficult to apprehend.
Sometimes they are so skilled at manipulation that you don’t even see it coming. In contrast, he is manipulating you if he has done any of the following things while evading your possessive man radar.
He is manipulating you if, after you questioned his loyalty, he turns the situation around and gets you to apologize. A manipulative lover is one who uses remorse to get what he wants from you.
He is manipulating you if he tries to keep you to himself by saying he loves you or is worried about you.
In addition to treating you like property, he will use manipulation to gain control over you.
Conclusion
Recognizing the warning signs of a possessive man is crucial in order to protect yourself and maintain a healthy relationship.
It’s important to remember that possessive behavior is not normal or healthy, and it’s not something that you have to tolerate.
If you notice any of the warning signs discussed in this article, it’s important to take action and seek support.
This could mean setting boundaries with your partner, seeking counseling, or even ending the relationship if necessary. Remember that you deserve to be treated with respect and dignity, and there is help available if you need it.
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