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He calls 50 times a day, obsesses over every date, and gets jealous when you talk to other guys—is he crazy about you, or just plain crazy?

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  Step 1: Make him jealous

  Psychos are usually possessive, so test him by doing a small thing to make him jealous—like sharing your secret crush on a celebrity you’re unlikely ever to meet—and see whether he overreacts.

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  Step 2: Pay attention

  Pay attention to whether or not he attempts to dictate how everything around him is done. Punctuality is one thing, being a control freak is another.

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  Step 3: Dress sexy

  Go out with him in an outfit that’s more revealing than you’d normally wear and see if he tries to dictate the way you dress.

• Tip

  When dealing with a control freak, stay as calm as possible. This can serve to relax them as well. If you match their level of aggression, you’ve chosen to fight on their terms—not yours.

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  Step 4: Watch the waiter

  At dinner, observe how he interacts with the waiter. A philosophy popularly known as the “Waiter Rule” makes the claim that you can learn more about a person from how they treat a waiter than from how they treat you.

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  Step 5: Ask your friends

  Ask your friends what they honestly think of your guy. Many times they can see flaws that you overlook.

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  Step 6: Flirt

  Watch how he reacts when you flirt with other men. If he flies into a rage, he has definite jealousy issues.

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  Step 7: Pick a fight

  Pick a fight over something stupid, like the drink he spilled at dinner. If he flies into a rage, he’s a bit unstable.

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  Step 8: Hang on

  If after all these little tests your guy hasn’t gone bonkers, hold on tight! You’ve found a keeper.

• Fact

  Ninety-two percent of American serial killers are men.