Sometimes we are blinded by our love, but it is important that we don’t let any man take away our independence. Here are five signs you need to look out for to determine if your man is a control freak:

1. He’s clingy. He wants to be with you 24/7. If you disappear for too long, he texts/calls you to see where you are and who you are with.

2. He doesn’t trust you. He secretly checks your cell phone, e-mails, goes through your purse and address book, pumps your friends for info, and spies on you when you go out.

3. He wants you all to himself. This means isolating you from your friends, family, and work mates. He doesn’t want anyone around you that might convince you he’s bad news.

4. He lays on the guilt trip. Whenever you try to do anything he’s not involved in or something he doesn’t approve of (namely, have a life!), he spreads it on thick. Even worse, he adds on moping, sighing, puppy-dog eyes—or storms out of the room like you’ve done him wrong. The goal is to make you feel like crap so you don’t do it again.

5. He knocks you down. He tries to make you feel like a loser so you become more dependent on him. He’s constantly criticizing, chipping away at your confidence. When you put on a few pounds (because he’s driving you to eat for consolation), his pet name for you is “Willy.” As in the whale. Just not right.