A set of features that can uniquely identify one person from another is defined as personality. One’s personality is usually influenced by experiences and knowledge that helps to deal with the matters that develop as life goes on. Therefore, developing one’s personality is a must to succeed in life. However, an abusive personality is a specific kind of personality that is harmful to others as well oneself.

A person who has an abusive personality tends to display certain characteristics; these are more commonly termed warning signs. Although the display of these signs does not necessarily imply that one has an abusive personality, a greater number of warning signs suggest a greater inclination towards abusiveness. These warning signs include extreme jealousy for another, dominance of behaviour where one tries to be in control and being overly possessive.

It is not surprising that the abusive person will hide their dominative behavior in an act of love and concern which the victim will tend to fall for, but with the passing of time this behavior will intensify and become severe portraying dominance and control by threatening and influencing. A person with an abusive personality would also try to seclude the other party from any social interactions by inhibiting them to associate with friends or relatives.