Is Emotional Instability in Your Partner Hurting Your Relationship? 16 Signs to Look For
Identifying emotional instability in a partner can be very challenging, but it’s important for your well-being. Recognizing these signs can help you approach the situation with more understanding and support. Here are some common signs that your partner may be emotionally unstable and might need your help to get through this difficult time and work towards feeling better.
They Have Unpredictable Mood Swings
If your partner’s moods and emotions shift rapidly without reason or with little trigger, they cannot control their emotions. While it’s normal for everybody to experience some mood swings, experiencing them every day, 24/7, without any particular identifying trigger, is a sign of emotional instability.
They Can’t Manage Their Anger
It’s natural to lose your temper sometimes, but if your partner constantly has outbursts and is aggressive, even about minute things, it is a sign that they cannot emotionally regulate themselves. People who have difficulty managing and controlling negative emotions like anger can eventually hurt others unless they do something about it.
They Are Excessively Jealous Of You
While poor emotional control might not directly relate to jealousy, indulging in harmful behaviors like jealousy or showing extreme possessiveness is unhealthy. It means your partner has unhealthy expectations from the relationship and an even worse need to control things around them; this can eventually lead to or coexist with emotional instability.
They Fear Losing You
Past traumas can influence a person’s control over their emotions. If your partner becomes extremely anxious or clingy at the slightest chance of you being away, it means they’ve developed an intense fear of abandonment. This is the beginning of a worsening emotional instability and would require therapeutic methods to heal from.
They Can’t Communicate In A Healthy Manner
Just like the fear of abandonment, past experiences or a traumatic upbringing can facilitate a person’s difficulty in adjusting to a healthy relationship. If your partner constantly blames you, criticizes you, or shuts down any efforts and conversation meant to communicate relationship issues, it means they’re emotionally unstable, and their behavior will worsen unless they actively work to improve it.
They Can Be Manipulative
Sometimes, a person’s lack of control over their emotions can seep into their actions; they begin to attempt to control the people around them with fear or guilt trips. Such people will actively try to convince their partners to accept manipulative tactics and give in to what they want, leading to an unhealthy relationship.
They Don’t Apologize
If your partner never says “sorry” or won’t admit when they’re wrong, it’s a problem. Not owning up to mistakes can lead to built-up resentment and unresolved arguments. Over time, this can make it really hard to move forward and stay connected to each other, leaving you frustrated.
They Have Extreme Highs And Lows
One of the biggest tell-tale signs of being emotionally unstable is when a person is unable to be consistent with their emotions. If your partner experiences periods of intense happiness followed by deep sorrow, depression, or a general detachment from life, it means they’re experiencing mental barriers that prevent them from controlling emotions.
Guilt-Tripping
If your partner is always making you feel guilty for things that aren’t your fault, it’s a red flag. They might be using guilt to control or manipulate you, and that’s not okay. Over time, this can really wear you down and make you feel stuck. You shouldn’t have to deal with feeling guilty just to keep the peace.
They Have Strained Relationships With Everyone
Your partner’s emotional instability doesn’t only affect your relationship; it also takes a toll on other types of relationships. If your partner has trouble maintaining a healthy relationship with most people around them, including their friends and family, it suggests that they have been emotionally unstable for a long time.
They Treat You Differently All The Time
If you’re in a relationship with an emotionally unstable person, one of the biggest signs is the way they treat you. Emotionally unregulated people tend to shift their perspectives; one moment, they’ll think the world of you, and the next, they’ll make you feel like you’re not worth much. This behavior on their part means they struggle to decide their opinions about the people around them.
They Obsess Over You
Many confuse obsession with appreciation, so we think a partner obsessing over us is good. However, obsession can be dangerous, especially if it comes from a partner constantly trying to hang out with you and, in general, exhibiting clinginess. It means they can’t control their feelings about you, eventually contributing to outbursts.
They Act Impulsively
If your partner often acts out of impulse rather than after thoughtful decision-making, it is a red flag that you shouldn’t take lightly. People who act out without thinking of consequences are guided by their emotions rather than their judgment. They risk behaving recklessly and may also overspend or fight without reason, only to apologize later.
They Refuse To Get Help
If you’ve voiced your concerns to your partner and they refuse help, it means they do not realize how much they struggle with balancing their emotions. Their refusal to get help naturally worsens the situation; if your partner is actively refusing any help, be it a discussion or therapy, it means their behavior will only get worse.
They Overreact to Small Problems
Overreacting to everything, even minor disagreements, is a huge red flag. It is a sign that your partner is emotionally unstable and needs to seek help. This behavior could seriously impact your relationship, making communication very difficult. Moreover, you may find yourself withdrawing from your partner to avoid unnecessary conflicts.
They Make You Feel On Edge
Sometimes, your gut feeling is enough to know if your partner is exhibiting healthy behavior. You’ll constantly feel like you’re walking on eggshells because you don’t want to nudge their unpredictable behavior; you’re afraid of them lashing out at the most unexpected times, so you can’t enjoy anything. This is a more prominent sign than anything.
This article was first published at Rbitaliablog.
