The Lifeworks Group, Inc.

By: Elizabeth McKeehan, IMH    Do you constantly feel anxious, fearful, or unsafe? How does your body react at the sight of or in verbal interactions with your spouse? Does your stomach churn, get upset, your neck or shoulders contract, your jaw clench? Have you broken out in hives? Are you eating? It is estimated that 1 in 4 women live in abusive relationships! October is domestic violence awareness month, let us look at how to spot it in its various forms. Domestic violence (DV) can be extremely insidious, and even crazy making. Its subtleties, gradual nature, and long-term harm are stunning.   It impartially rules no one out based on gender, race, age, religion, education, or economic status. According to a CDC survey, Americans experience physical violence with their intimate partner every minute. Domestic violence victims total 10 million per year.   This means you or someone you care about is being affected by it as you are reading this article. ...

By: Brian Murray LMHC, NCC   An abusive person is someone who has issues with power and control in a relationship. The abuse can come in many forms such as emotional, physical, sexual, and financial just to name a few. Knowing what to look for with abusive behaviors can help you build better relationships. The early warning signs can serve as red flags that the person you are involved with is not healthy. This goes beyond the occasional conflict that most couples encounter and reasonably resolve. This is about behavioral clues that indicate someone is abusive, manipulating, and possibly dangerous. We all get angry at times, however if you are married or involved with someone who frequently manipulates to the point where you’re belittled, criticized, called names, physically harmed, and begin to feel concern for your safety and well-being that should be enough to signal it’s time to end the relationship and get out. Listed below are 15 points to help you build awareness and ...