My Insecure Girlfriend Is Possessive and Controlling. Should I Leave?

My girlfriend won't allow me to have a life outside of her. We've been together for four years, and in that time I've never cheated on her. In fact, I've spent almost all of my free time with her. Even so, she feels compelled to account for my time apart from her—if I'm not at work or with family, I have to be with her or I come home to 20 questions. Consequently, I have been unable to attend social gatherings that don't involve her, go to the gym ("Who are you trying to look good for?" she'll say), or pursue any me-only hobbies. She checks my text messages and makes mountains out of mole hills. One night, she was hanging out with friends. I was expecting to work late, but I finished earlier than expected and decided to go get a bite to eat with a coworker. My girlfriend was livid when she showed up at my office and I wasn't there working like I said I would be. She was even more livid to find out I'd decided to go hang out with a friend, even though she was with her friends. As a 34-year-old adult, I thought it was OK for me to make the executive call to hang with a friend to pass the time. I've read article after article about insecurity and the damage it does to relationships, and most say something to the effect of, "Don't walk ... run!" The issue isn't getting any better, so I guess that's my question: Should I run? —Owned
Dear Owned,

Does this song sound familiar?

“Every Breath You Take” by The Police:

Every breath you take
Every move you make
Every bond you break
Every step you take
I’ll be watching you

Some people think it’s a love song, but according to Sting himself, it’s the opposite—as he put it, “very, very sinister and ugly.” Does it remind you of your relationship with your girlfriend? The song is about a stalker, someone who watches every single thing their partner does or wants to do and takes away their freedom. In such a relationship, a person might feel safe and loved at first, in a secure space, but that space quickly turns into a prison.

You say you’ve read many articles about insecurity and the damage it can cause. I am not going to suggest any more books or articles to you; I think it’s time you stop reading and start doing. I think you already know all you need to.

In the kind of relationship you describe—of possessor and possessed—both partners are insecure. You ask if you should leave. I ask why you need to ask. What do you want to do? I suggest that you seek professional help and a support group so you can learn to listen to yourself, act on your true needs and desires, and develop better, healthier relationships that will help you honor your own inner guide and grow.

Respectfully,
Lynn

Lynn Somerstein, PhD, NCPsyA, C-IAYT is a Manhattan-based, licensed psychotherapist with more than 30 years in private practice. She is also a yoga teacher and student of Ayuveda—the Indian science of wellness. Her main interest is in helping people find healthy ways of living, loving, and working in the particular combination that works best for them, connecting to their deepest energic source so their full range of abilities can be expressed. Lynn's specialty is understanding and alleviating anxiety and depression.
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  • Brenton

    August 9th, 2013 at 11:07 AM

    have you given her something to be insecure about?
    The if not then I think it might be time to find a new girl. This one might take a while to shake but it might be healthire for you to cut your losses now.

  • Cesar

    August 24th, 2016 at 12:12 PM

    You have to let her go right away don’t call any communication whatsoever you have to be strong . She’s not dealing with a full deck shes supposed to make you happy. Sometimes you have to leave someone it’s okay you don’t need that stuff at all if a girl doesn’t love me I move on if she calls me again I don’t answer phone , remember any type of abuse is wrong

  • RLT

    May 13th, 2018 at 12:55 PM

    My son grew up with a loving mother and brother. The girlfriend grew up with a drunk drug addict mother who birthed 4 children each with a different father and all raised by the grandmother. My son flat out stated the GF is jealouse of my sons upbringing because she did not have the same. So I’m out the door. My sons and I had a close relationship. The younger brother died in wreck returning from ski practice so not it’s just the two of us bringing us closer together which according to the GF is “UNATURAL”.

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