13 Signs Your Partner Is Possessive & What Experts Say To Do About It
"It’s usually a pivotal and endearing moment when your new significant other includes you in their digital world," Jennifer Ponce, MSW, CHES, a prevention and education manager at the domestic violence prevention nonprofit Laura’s House, tells Bustle. "But social media can also be used as a breeding ground for possessive behaviors."
A possessive partner — new or otherwise — may share couple photos 24/7 or tag you in everything as a way of “staking claim.” But even worse, a possessive partner might use social media as a way of keeping tabs on you while you’re out and about, which is incredibly controlling and toxic.
To tell the difference between “sweet habits” and traits of a possessive partner, it can help to speak with your friends or even a therapist. It's never easy to cope with a partner's insecurities, especially since they can occur to varying degrees. But there may be ways to work through it together, if that seems like something you'd want to do.
Experts:
Dr. Carla Marie Manly, clinical psychologist and author
Grace Olivia Dickman, LCSW, licensed clinical social worker
Dr. Jake Porter, LPC, NCC, CSAT, CMAT, CPC, CCTP, licensed professional counselor
Dr. Aimee Harris-Newon, double-board certified integrative and interventional psychologist
Gilza Fort-Martinez, MS, LMFT, licensed marriage and family therapist
Dr. Caroline Madden, LMFT, licensed marriage and family therapist
Valerie Jencks, LMFT, LCPC, licensed marriage and family therapist
Christine Scott-Hudson, MA, MFT, ATR, licensed psychotherapist
Dr. Margaret Paul, PhD, relationship expert
Jill Sylvester, LMHC, a licensed mental health counselor
Dr. Kathy Nickerson, licensed clinical psychologist
Jennifer Ponce, MSW, CHES, a prevention and education manager
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