Yes, it is time to get real, so strap on your seatbelts and grab your tissues. For the sake of my sanity, I will not be giving out names, or explicit details to name the person. This article isn't about calling someone out but preventing it from happening to you. With that, here is my story about how I was in an emotionally abusive relationship.

At one time in my life, I was very single, but looking for a relationship. As in very single, I mean it had been a while since I was in a committed relationship. I felt ready for a serious commitment, but I also didn't want to chase after a bunch of guys that didn't like me back.

Then, along he came. For the sake of this article, let's call him Liam just so I don't confuse you (sorry to all the Liams out there). Liam and I fell head over heels for each other very fast, which I didn't see as weird. We had a lot in common and we watched the same things. It felt like we never stopped talking about things we liked. Liam asked me to be his girlfriend and of course, I said yes.

At the time, I felt the relationship was healthy. I didn't notice all of the stuff going on behind the scenes and how traumatic it was for me until it was over. For example, Liam and I were inseparable. And not in a cute, let's hang out all the time, kind of way. I had a large group of friends, but I knew hanging out with my friends (which were mostly guys) would aggravate him.

Eventually, I had no clue what my friends were up to and I felt like a stranger to them because I was never around.

Then came comments. Comments are tricky because they came off as jokes and, since I had an older brother, I didn't think anything of it. But these comments were honestly disgusting, like how I was wanting too much attention, I was demanding, etc. Over time, these comments kept me from speaking up or saying how I felt because I knew how he didn't like it.

Liam would also withhold affection. I was told that I would know he was mad when he doesn't want to hold my hand. The thing about this is that even when things weren't my fault, Liam would refuse to hold my hand, which placed blame on me. So, when someone made him upset, I was the one to say sorry.

Communication was slim. Honestly, if I had something bothering me, the best thing I could do was to keep quiet because it would either make him mad or be overlooked. I didn't realize how much I took communication for granted until now.

Also, my texting game had to be perfect. Within minutes I had to reply to his texts, or he would assume I was mad at him. Then, I made him worry, which was a problem. I was connected to my phone and not due to Candy Crush or Instagram.

Speaking of Instagram, I never posted a picture alone. You see, in Liam's mind, a photo by myself meant that I was seeking attention and he was "looking out for me" because he didn't trust the other guys around me not to steal me away.

The biggest sign I can beg you to recognize is how they view you. In my relationship with Liam, I wasn't an individual. I was an extension of him. Let me explain. When we went to go to fun stuff, if he didn't like it then we both had to go. If he didn't want to be somewhere anymore, we left. If I was hurt, his hurt was worse.

In the end, this relationship left me with pain, the inability to say anything but sorry, confusion on who I was, and no communication. Seriously, it was as if he taught my brain to sit down and shut up. Go with the flow.

So, maybe you are wondering how I didn't see any of this. It's obvious to you reading that it is abuse. To me, I was brainwashed into believing that this was love. I was trained that losing him was the worst thing that could happen to me. I was told that if I left he would kill himself.

Sadly, it is not as simple as seeing it and getting out. I was engulfed in it and it swallows your common sense whole.

How did I get out? I wish I was being hyperbolic, but you have to burn your bridges to the ground. I finally saw that I was always living in fear and that I felt more like a pet than a person, so I left him, deleted his number and blocked him on every social media possible.

I shut him out 100%. You have to completely remove your self and detox. If things get too bad, it may call for a restraining order. You have to protect yourself.

From one girl to another, listen to my story. Emotionally abusive relationships are heart wrenching and not worth the pain. If your significant other is showing these signs, please speak to someone. Emotional abuse is just as bad as physical. Just because you can't see it doesn't mean it doesn't exist.