Relationships are not easy, and they take a lot of work. You know this work is needed when things are hard but when things are going good, you might forget that you are in a toxic relationship.
Toxic Relationships
A toxic relationship is a relationship where the couple is not supporting each other and where there is a lot of conflict. When people don’t support each other and there is a lot of competition or where there is disrespect, this is normally toxic.
There will be easy and hard times in relationships but when things seem constantly bad then it can mean the relationship is toxic. When the good times are outweighed by the bad times, this is a problem and can be hurtful to everyone in the relationship.
The relationship doesn’t even have to be a romantic or a lover relationship for it to be toxic, it can be any kind of relationship.
How Does a Relationship Become Toxic?
Relationships become toxic when one partner is getting hurt. This may not be on purpose and sometimes the behavior can happen when there is a lack of support or when they experienced things in life or at school. This could also be some kind of mental health disorder that was never addressed or some kind of depression or anxiety.
Having a hard childhood can cause people to have toxic relationship patterns. This could be caused by losing a parent at a young age, addictive behaviors, physical abuse, or other things. Then, when the person gets in a relationship later in their life, it can cause them to get into toxic relationships instead of something healthy.
A toxic relationship can also happen just because you are with someone you aren’t meant to be with or someone you aren’t compatible with. It could be a relationship where everyone wants to be in control or where there is nothing but sarcasm.
If you have a positive outlook in life and you expect everyone to be kind and caring, this could cause you to be attracted to people that were controlling and a place where you put your needs on the back burner so everyone else can be happy.
There are many kinds of bad relationships and no two are going to be exactly alike the other.
Signs of a Toxic Relationship
There are many signs of being in a toxic relationship with abuse and violence being the most serious signs. Other signs might be more subtle.
One of the biggest signs that you can notice is that you are unhappy. When the relationship is no longer fun or happy, it can become toxic. If you feel angry or sad or always anxious in the relationship then you might be in a relationship that you need to get out of .
When your mind changes and you feel that you are missing your self-esteem or if you keep seeing red flags such as depression or anxiety, or if you are just always uncomfortable around your partner, it can be something toxic.
You need to pay attention to the other relationships in your life. Are you avoiding other people or do you feel bad when you are spending time with friends or family? Do you no longer feel like you can do what you enjoy doing?
Maybe you hear your family or friends sounding concerned and they are questioning your relationship and the damage it is causing. When you begin to realize that it isn’t healthy, it can open up your eyes, otherwise you will just become numb to it.
What To Do in a Toxic Relationship
When you see a lot of red flags, it is time to pay attention and do something about it. Of course, if you are in any kind of danger, talk to someone right away and call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 and get help.
If you are experiencing harm in your mental or emotional health, you need to figure out the issues. Are you depressed due to trauma? Is your mood affecting you and your partner? If so, you can get help you need. Make sure you know what the real problem is and sometimes it is staying in the relationship.
You need to try and work everything out so that you can figure out why your partner is toxic. You may be able to live with this kind of relationship or you might need to get out of it. You need to make sure that you are living your best life in peace and happiness.
Being in love and being in a relationship should never cause you anger, depression or cause you to lose your peace. It should never take away your happiness. Get out of your negative situation and get in one that will bring you a positive change in your life.
‘If you’re unhappy, leave.’ Wow, groundbreaking advice! So, should I also quit my job every time I have a bad day? Life doesn’t work that way!
A very informative read! The breakdown of signs in toxic relationships is particularly helpful for those who might not even realize they’re in one. Identifying these red flags early can be critical for mental health.
“Having a hard childhood can cause people to have toxic relationship patterns.” Fascinating point that deserves deeper analysis. We often underestimate how much our upbringing shapes our adult relational dynamics.
Oh great, another article telling people to ‘just get out’ when things get tough. Relationships are complicated, and simplifying them down to ‘toxicity’ ignores how deep emotional bonds can be.
“Just leave if it’s bad.” Easier said than done. What about financial dependence? Emotional trauma? This piece barely scratches the surface on the complexities involved in leaving a toxic relationship.
*Toxicity* sounds like modern buzzword bingo at its finest! What did we call these kinds of relationships before everything became so… clinical?
This article provides an important reflection on the nature of relationships. It’s a wake-up call to remind people that happiness and respect should be at the core of any relationship. I appreciate the emphasis on self-awareness and recognizing when a relationship becomes toxic. Many could benefit from this.
*Toxic relationships*? Sounds like most interactions I have with my cat! Jokes aside, it’s true—relationships need constant nurturing to stay healthy.