"When a person tries to control many of the details in your life, such as where you go and even what you may say, it's toxic," Lawless says. "This typically comes from someone extraordinarily insecure but who often appears as dominating. They will often assert that their perspective is the only correct way to see things and insist that you fall in line with what makes them most comfortable. This is often displayed through intimidation and manipulation."
It also bears noting that boundaries are not to be used as a weapon of control, and they need to come from a place of love and compassion, Feliciano says. "A boundary isn't [a directive like] 'Don't post pictures,'" she says, adding that any conversation has to cover what both people want.
