Sex?— A Healthy Sexuality Resource - Government of Nova Scotia

In an UNHEALTHY RELATIONSHIP you feelscared, confused, and insecure.•Your partner constantlycriticizes you and puts youdown. Nothing you do is goodenough. He or she makes youfeel stupid. There are thingsyou’re afraid to talk about withyour partner—for example, yourown feelings, sex or birth control.•Your partner is jealousand controlling. She or hedoesn’t want you to spend timewith your friends or family.•You never know whereyou stand. Your partner playsmind games—he or she will benice one minute and ignoreyou the next. She or he lies toyou. Your partner tells you onething and then does another.•You feel pressured to dothings you don’t want to do.You’re afraid that your partnerwill get angry or leave you if youdon’t do everything he or shewants you to do.•There is a lot of yelling inyour relationship. Yourpartner freaks out when youdon’t agree with what she orhe wants or says. Sometimesyou’re scared of what he or shemight do.Sex, Relationships, and Decisions“Don’t feel obligated to do somethingyou’re not sure you want to do. If youare not comfortable with your partner, you are notcomfortable with your relationship. If you are in arelationship where you are on edge all the time, sexwon’t change it.”17