28/10/2026
Recent conversations around Big Brother have got people talking about relationships, behaviour and the way we treat the people we say we care about.
But beyond the headlines, there’s an important conversation worth having.
Psychological abuse isn’t always easy to recognise. Sometimes, it starts with little things that leave you feeling uncomfortable, confused or questioning yourself.
- Being told your feelings aren't valid.
- Being made to feel you're overreacting when you raise a concern.
- Finding yourself apologising, even when you've tried to explain that you've been hurt.
- Feeling pressured to continue a conversation when you're upset or need space.
- Being made to question your own judgement, until you start wondering whether you're the problem.
One moment on its own may not tell the whole story. But when these behaviours form a pattern that leaves you feeling controlled, frightened, diminished or unable to speak freely, it's important to pay attention to that.
You don't have to wait for physical violence to take your feelings seriously.
You don't have to prove that something is abuse before asking for support.
And you don't have to ignore that feeling in your stomach just because you can't find the words to explain it.
If something doesn't feel right, you're allowed to question it. You're allowed to seek support.
At Axis, we believe that everyone deserves relationships where they feel safe, respected and free to be themselves. Because abuse doesn’t have to leave bruises to leave scars.
