There was a girl that I tried to start a relationship with a few months ago. At first she was very eager with me (she invited me =D ) and we had a really good first date; we were still talking after that. But then I didn’t hear from her for a few days, and then she said she didn’t want anything romantic, but still wanted to be friends. Even though I was bummed, I thought it would be good to at least be a friend to her.
She then after that told me she recently got out of a very emotionally abusive relationship (she was in for more than half a year). The guy always yelled at her, would cut of communication, make her apologize for every little thing, only want to play video games, etc. This is what she told me. And it ended when she found out that her ex was cheating on her. Staying friends with this girl didn’t go to well.
I’ve bumped into her a few times (we have similar interests and mutual friends), and I don’t think it’s gone okay for her each time. I saw some odd behavior on her social media afterwards. I feel really bad for her.
What are some signs that someone was in a very abusive relationship? I can only find lists of “signs someone is currently in”, never “they were”. I’ve also wondered if the abuse was ever more than just emotional; but I don’t think she would tell me. Are there any signs/behaviors of this as well?
I spent some time reading up on attachment styles, and I’d have to peg her as the Anxious-Avoidant type. I feel like she also has some body and self image issues.
tl;dr: Went out with a girl who had an abusive (damaging) ex. Would like to know the signs that someone was in an abusive relationship.