Includes bibliographical references (page 208) and index.

"When a man showers all of his attention on a woman, it can feel incredibly romantic, and can blind her to hints of problems ahead. But what happens when that attentiveness becomes domination? For certain people, the desire to control leads to jealousy, threats, micromanaging--even physical violence. Lisa Aronson Fontes draws on both professional expertise and personal experience to provide practical guidance and support for readers who find themselves trapped in a web of coercive control. Understanding this destructive pattern and why it occurs is the first step toward repairing or ending a relationship that has become toxic. Readers get vital tools for determining if they are in danger and if their partner can change--and for getting their freedom back. Key Words/Subject Areas: coercion, coercive control, controlling men, couples, domestic violence, domination, emotional abuse, intimate partner violence, recovery, relationships, self-help, sexual assault, stalking, trauma, women Audience: Readers struggling with controlling relationships and those who care about them; also of interest to mental health professionals, social workers, and advocates. "--,Provided by publisher.