1. Your Cell Phone is No Longer Your Own

If you often find your partner suspiciously checking your phone for texts and missed calls, this should be a red flag, and one of the first signs you’re dating a control freak. While there's nothing wrong with answering your partner's phone if they're asleep or in the shower, constantly checking it shows there's no trust in the relationship. If you catch your other half in the act, it's time to sit down and have a discussion about what's going on.

2. You're Always Doing What They Want to do

You've been dying to see the new Tarantino flick for weeks, but once again you're staying in with takeout to watch his favorite TV shows. If this sounds like a regular occurrence in your life, chances are, you're dating a control freak! Those who love control will always want to do what they feel like, and your feelings won't come into consideration. Stand up for yourself - if your date still won't do what you want, go alone or enjoy a night out with girlfriends - let them stay home alone!

3. They Expect You to Be Perfect

If your boyfriend is always telling you he wants you to grow your hair, or he'd prefer you as a blonde, quickly run, don't walk, to the nearest exit, as this is a sure sign of control! Control freaks get off on making others feel inadequate, and provided you're happy with your appearance, nobody else should expect you to change it. Controlling partners can become hyper-critical, expecting you to be a certain dress size or wear more revealing clothes. Always stay true to yourself - someone who loves you will want you no matter what you look like!

4. Routine is Everything

Control freaks love their little routines - up at 7 on a weekday, soy latte on the way to work, home by 6, dinner at 7. Anything which gets in the way of their routine is likely to upset and frustrate them, and that could include you! If you find yourself longing for your dates to be more spontaneous and romantic, ask yourself if your partner ever lets loose or always feels the need to control situations. Whilst routine can be comforting, it can stifle even the most exciting and passionate relationships, and can quickly become boring

5. Your Sex Life is Unsatisfying

Whether you’re the type of woman who likes to try new things in bed or you prefer to stick to what you like, control freaks rarely make caring lovers. A man who's a control freak will focus more on his pleasure than your own, or may insist on taking charge, using bullying tactics to get what he wants. Many dominant men are control freaks, and this is fine in a healthy relationship where the other partner is in agreement. If you're looking for a partner who puts your pleasure first, a control freak is not your ideal man. Someone who cares about you will go out of their way to please you and leave you satisfied.

6. You Feel like You've Gained a Parent

Controlling men will want to know your every move - even if you've arrived home from work 15 minutes late and didn’t answer their call, you'll be subjected to the Spanish Inquisition. Every outing is a cause for suspicion on their part, and some control freaks may even start to offer to drive you to your destination, picking you up after an appointment at the salon or shopping trips with the girls. You'll find yourself constantly on edge, checking your phone to make sure you don't miss his calls, as that makes him jealous and angry. This type of controlling, possessive behavior only gets worse with time, so if you've only recently started dating, now would be a good time to break things off!

7. Eating out is No Longer a Pleasure

You used to love going to a new restaurant, browsing the menu and taking forever to decide what you wanted to order. But nowadays, your date always seems to order for both of you, and you don't have a say. He chooses everything from the wine to the type of bread you'll have with your meal, and you can't help thinking he's trying to imply you need to slim down when he keeps ordering you a salad for your main course. This sort of control is bad news, and you need to address it before it spirals out of control. Let him know how much you dislike his behavior, and if he doesn't make changes, find someone who will let you pick whatever you want from the menu!

Dating a control freak is never fun, and if you spot any of these signs, it’s a good time to make your escape, particularly if you’re on your second date! You could be surprised how many people have controlling tendencies, but it’s all about how you manage them and how you treat your partner. How many times have you experienced any of these signs with men you’re dating?