Winton Eliott
If you think your partner might be a catfish, don’t worry—you’re not alone. Many people have been in the same position and have felt just as betrayed, confused, and hurt.
But there is hope: we’ve created an extensive guide to help you break free from this toxic relationship and move on with your life. With our help, you can finally start healing the wounds this person has caused.
There are numerous indicators of a catfish connection. You must train yourself to detect when you’re being catfished and to terminate the situation cleanly if that’s the case.
What is the catfish relationship?
The “catfish” relationship is when one person in the relationship is not who they say they are. They will use fake photos, names, and information to create an entirely different persona.
Sometimes, a catfish’s only goal is to cause hurt and pain to their partner—but other times, they actually start to believe their own lies and might even fall in love with the person they’re deceiving.
There are many reasons why someone might catfish another person.
They could be feeling insecure and looking for validation, they could be bored and looking for entertainment, or they might be trying to scam people out of money.
Regardless of their motives, it’s important to remember that you are not responsible for their actions—and that you have the power to end this toxic relationship.
Read also: How to Break Up With Someone You Live With
What are the signs that you are being catfished?
If you think you might be in a catfish relationship, the first step is to confirm your suspicions. Here are some common signs:
Your partner is always available
Catfish are often working on several victims at once and will therefore be available at all hours of the day. They might even cancel plans at the last minute or refuse to meet in person.
If your partner is always available, it could be a sign that you are being catfished.
Your partner is evasive about personal details
If your partner is being evasive about personal details, it could be a sign that they are trying to hide something.
They might be avoiding questions about their life, family, and friends because they don’t want you to know the truth.
Alternatively, they might be making up excuses for why you can’t meet in person or why they don’t have any photos of themselves.
If your partner is being secretive, it’s important to trust your gut and ask tough questions. If they’re not willing to be open and honest with you, it’s possible that they are not the person you thought they were.
Your partner’s stories don’t add up
If your partner’s stories seem too good to be true, they might be suffering from “catfishing.” This is when someone creates a false online identity in order to trick people into relationships.
Catfishers often invent grandiose tales about their life and accomplishments, so if something feels off, trust your gut.
Your partner is always asking for money
If your partner is always asking for money, it might be a sign that they’re a catfish.
They might claim to need help with rent or medical bills, or they might say they’re stranded in a foreign country and need help getting home.
While it’s certainly possible that your partner is legitimately in need of financial assistance, you should be wary of anyone who asks for money constantly.
You feel like you’re being manipulated
If your partner is always trying to control your conversations or is always the one to initiate contact, it might be a sign that they’re manipulating you.
Catfish often try to control their victims by playing on their emotions—so if you feel like you’re being manipulated, it’s time to end the relationship.
Read also: How To Stop Thinking About Someone
How to end a catfish relationship?
If you’ve confirmed that you’re in a catfish relationship, it’s time to take action. It includes:
Ghosting
The easiest way to end a catfish relationship is to simply stop all communication with the person. This means blocking their phone number, email address, and social media accounts.
It might be painful at first, but it’s important to remember that you’re not obligated to this person—and that you deserve better.
Report them
If you want to take things a step further, you can report the catfish to the authorities. In some cases, catfish have been known to scam people out of money—so if this is the case, make sure to file a police report.
You can also report the catfish to their ISP or social media platform.
Get support from friends and family
When you’re feeling overwhelmed, it’s important to reach out to your friends and family for support. They can help you through this difficult time and provide you with the resources you need to move on.
In addition, there are many support groups available to help you deal with your specific situation. These groups can provide valuable information and emotional support.
Change your passwords
Finally, make sure to change your passwords for all of your online accounts. This includes email, social media, banking, and any other account that the catfish might have access to.
By changing your passwords, you can protect yourself from further damage.
Read also: How to Be Passionate in a Relationship
The takeaway
Catfishing is a serious problem that can have devastating consequences. If you think you’re being catfished, it’s important to trust your gut and take action.
Remember, you deserve to be in an honest and healthy relationship—so don’t be afraid to end things if something doesn’t feel right.
If you suspect you’re being catfished, the best thing to do is to confront your partner about it. If they’re honest with you, then great! But if they’re not, then it’s time to move on.
No one deserves to be in a relationship with someone who isn’t being completely honest with them—so trust your gut and do what’s best for you.
