Everyone feels a twinge of jealousy every now and then, but for some people, jealousy can seep into many areas of life, causing problems in relationships. Jealousy is rooted in a feeling of insecurity and comparing oneself with others, and when it becomes frequent and intense, jealousy can be an indicator of an abusive relationship. Knowing what the signs of jealousy are can help you avoid unhealthy relationships or seek counseling to curtail relationship problems.
Put-Downs
If your significant other is overly critical of other people, this can be a sign of jealousy. For instance, your boyfriend may put down other men because he is insecure and fears that he will be replaced. Once in a while, it is normal for a romantic partner to express jealousy, but if your lover is extremely critical of everyone, especially those of the same sex, proceed with caution. Your significant other may also demonstrate jealousy by competing with you and putting down your interests, accomplishments or personality traits. If your spouse or partner often degrades or insults you, this not only indicates jealousy, but also verbal abuse.
Possessivenes
If your lover becomes possessive of you, this is another indicator of jealousy. People who are insecure and unsure of themselves tend to compare themselves to others and feel easily threatened, which can result in trying to control or limit your contacts with others. If your boyfriend or girlfriend demands to go with you everywhere, does not want you to leave the house or see family and friends, you are involved in an abusive relationship and should seek counseling. Your lover may defend his jealousy by saying it means he loves you, when in reality he is insecure and needs mental help to feel more confident and trusting.
Clinginess
If your spouse or partner is extremely clingy, it is often due to insecurity. Clinginess is tied in with jealousy because jealous feelings and lack of confidence drive a person to become clingy and demand all of your time and attention. A secure person knows that when her lover goes out into the world, he will not be tempted to stray because she is confident in the attractiveness of her unique characteristics and personality. A jealous person, however, may question your activities, especially during times when you are not together, and may call or text excessively, and express irrational accusations. As with other signs of jealousy, clinginess can be reduced by seeking counseling to build trust, communication and higher confidence levels in your relationship.
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