While no relationship is perfect, a relationship should be a source of joy, not frustration. A relationship is toxic when your well-being is threatened in some way — physically, emotionally, and psychologically.
Signs of toxicity can be subtle, making it difficult to notice the red flags.
Here are some signs to help you recognize a toxic relationship:
Toxic communication
Good communication is the heartbeat of a healthy relationship. So if you and your partner find it hard to communicate, it might be a sign of toxicity.
Instead of open and mutual communication, you experience hostile and bad ones. Where there is no mutual respect during communication but criticism, yelling, name-calling, or sometimes silent treatment.
Feeling unsafe
If you feel unsafe and uncomfortable with your partner, that’s a major red flag.
It doesn’t have to be physical only. Do you feel safe with your partner emotionally? Can you express yourself openly without being scared? Does your voice matter? Do you always try to filter your words while talking?
If the answer to the question is ‘No’ then that’s a sign of toxicity because a healthy relationship gives space for people to be themselves and comfortable. Partners can be vulnerable without fear, and tell each other the good and the bad.
So if you’re in a constant state of physical and emotional insecurity around your partner, you are not in a healthy relationship.
Lack of support
In a healthy relationship, there is a mutual desire to see each other win and feel that you have a best friend who will always be there through the wins and disappointments. But in a toxic situation, you feel the opposite.
It’s a toxic relationship if every achievement becomes a competition and you don’t feel supported or encouraged.
If you’re hesitant or afraid to share the good news with your partner, perhaps out of fear of his or her reaction, or if you hit a wall of negativity every time you’re in celebration mode, then you have to rethink the relationship.
Controlling behavior
It’s not a healthy relationship when your partner dominates all your actions or when you feel pressured to do exactly what you’re told to even when it will affect you — or you don’t want to.
This behavior might be because of jealousy or lack of trust, but they can also suggest a need for control — both of which can contribute to relationship toxicity.
It’s a relationship between two people so it is healthy when the parties make decisions together and put each other into consideration while at it.
Lack of self-care
Signs of a toxic relationship aren’t all about your partner’s behavior but also some changes in your personal life.
Letting go of your self-care habits and self-confidence can be a major sign that your relationship is unhealthy.
Have you noticed withdrawing from activities you enjoy or caring less about yourself, your health, and your appearance?
This might happen because you already feel drained by the relationship.
Patterns of disrespect
Disrespect comes in different ways in a toxic relationship.
It can come in form of your partner disregarding your feeling, undermining you, speaking down at you in public, forgetting important agreements, and showing up late.
All of these and more are signs you should be wary of because they can turn out to be signs of toxicity.
Feeling drained
Your relationship is definitely toxic if you constantly feel drained physically and emotionally.
Do you feel you’re giving your all and not getting anything in return? Do you do all the heavy lifting in the relationship?
It isn’t meant to be, relationships require hard work from both parties to make it healthy and worthy.
Loneliness
If you’re in a relationship and you always feel neglected, isolated, and lonely, then you’re not in a healthy relationship.
You and your partner already lost the true sense of intimacy and personal connection.
