If you are unsure if you are in an abusive relationship, take the time to answer the following questions. Think about how you are being treated and how you treat your partner. Remember, when one person scares, hurts and continually puts down the other, it's abuse:

· Are you afraid of your partner?
· Do you feel as if you have to walk on pins and needles sometimes to keep your partner from getting angry?
· Has your partner ever hit, slapped or pushed you?
· Do you ever feel as if you deserve to be punished?
· Do you ever feel as if you've done something wrong but you just can't figure out what it is?
· Have you lost all respect or love for your partner?
· Is your partner good to you most of the time -- sometimes downright wonderful -- but every once in a while very cruel or scary?
· Does your partner drive you crazy or make you feel as if you're going crazy?
· Do you find yourself sometimes thinking of ways of killing your partner?
· Have you believed that your partner would kill you?
· Has your partner told you that he or she would kill you?
· Has your partner threatened to commit suicide?
· Were you abused as a child?
· Has your partner forced you to do something you didn't want to do?
· Have you lost all or most of your friends since you've been with your partner?
· Do you feel isolated, as if there's nowhere to turn for help, and think that no one would believe you anyway?
· Have you lost a job because of your partner?
· Do you feel emotionally numb?