Abuse does not always begin with something dramatic. Often, it starts with confusion. You find yourself second-guessing your reactions. You feel anxious before bringing up normal concerns. You start wondering whether you are “too sensitive,” “too emotional,” or “too demanding.” Over time, your confidence narrows. Your world gets smaller. You feel less like yourself. Abuse is not defined by one bad argument. It is defined by a pattern — a repeated dynamic of control, intimida