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How do I know if I'm in a toxic relationship?

289 Answers
Last Updated: 04/20/2022 at 3:24pm
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Top Rated Answers
Lightnessindark3010
November 6th, 2020 11:38am
If the person you are with doesn’t respect you and your decisions. They always try to control you and take decisions for you. When you have to ask them for permission to do any little thing in your life. When they don’t consider your opinions and impose their decisions on you. When they don’t trust you and always suspect that you’re cheating on them. When they won’t let you meet people specially people from the opposite gender. When they don’t let you make choices or restrict you from wearing certain type of clothes or stopping you from doing certain kind of activity and when they keep hurting you physically and emotionally
Anonymous
November 18th, 2020 6:22pm
This is an excellent question. It is important to know how to identify toxic relationships so that you can set better boundaries and engage in healthier relationships. Toxic relationships can take many forms. Luckily, there are some traits or red flags that can help differentiate a toxic relationship from a healthy relationship. Some red flags of toxic relationships include: 1) one person isolating the other person from their friends, family, or support system, 2) a dynamic of constant distrust, blame, or hurt, 3) a person having to hide who they are to "win" the other person's approval, and 4) nonconsensual interactions or a lack of respect for healthy boundaries whether they are physical, sexual, emotional, or temporal. Toxic relationships often also feel draining or harmful, and have a net negative effect on a person's self esteem. A toxic relationship is usually marked by destructive conflict, that is, conflict which is harmful, tears people down, and does not leave room for multiple opinions or schools of thought. The conflict might arise between the two people outwardly, or it may arise internally, within one person, as that person realizes their opinions, will, actions, and/or emotions are not respected by the other person. If you feel you may be in a toxic relationship but are unsure, it could help to reflect on the most consistent aspects of the relationship with respect to the above listed traits and red flags, and to determine the relationship's net effect on both participants.
specialMelody96
November 20th, 2020 9:01pm
I think it is important to ask yourself these questions: do I feel anxious or afraid when spending alone time with my partner? Do I find myself walking on eggshells around them to try and avoid a conflict? Do I feel like my partner respects me? Would I feel comfortable saying no to them? If somebody I cared about were in a relationship identical to mine, how would I feel about their partner? Healthy relationships are all about comfort, communication, compromise, care, and if you feel any of that is lacking it may be time to reevaluate your relationship and consider reaching out for help.
DarkPiT23
November 22nd, 2020 10:07pm
in many cases, the indicators of a toxic relationship are much more subtle. The first, and simplest, is persistent unhappiness, Glass says. If a relationship stops bringing joy, and instead consistently makes you feel sad, angry, anxious or “resigned, like you've sold out,” It’s a common refrain: relationships are hard work. Fights are normal and rough patches are par for the course. True as that may be, however, these platitudes can distract from legitimate causes for concern in one’s social and romantic life — including signs that a relationship may have become, or always was, toxic. Here’s what you need to know about toxic relationships, and how to tell if you’re in one. What is a toxic relationship? Dr. Lillian Glass, a California-based communication and psychology expert who says she coined the term in her 1995 book Toxic People, defines a toxic relationship as “any relationship [between people who] don’t support each other, where there’s conflict and one seeks to undermine the other, where there’s competition, where there’s disrespect and a lack of cohesiveness.” While every relationship goes through ups and downs, Glass says a toxic relationship is consistently unpleasant and draining for the people in it, to the point that negative moments outweigh and outnumber the positive ones. Dr. Kristen Fuller, a California-based family medicine physician who specializes in mental health, adds that toxic relationships are mentally, emotionally and possibly even physically damaging to one or both participants. And these relationships don’t have to be romantic: Glass says friendly, familial and professional relationships can all be toxic as well. What makes a relationship toxic? Fuller says people who consistently undermine or cause harm to a partner — whether intentionally or not — often have a reason for their behavior, even if it’s subconscious. “Maybe they were in a toxic relationship, either romantically or as a child. Maybe they didn’t have the most supportive, loving upbringing,” Fuller says. “They could have been bullied in school. They could be suffering from an undiagnosed mental health disorder, such as depression or anxiety or bipolar disorder, an eating disorder, any form of trauma.”
imhereforeveryoneee
December 4th, 2020 9:52pm
If they do not spend enough time with you, treat you well Or if they constantly hurt you with their actions or do not encourage you to follow your dreams, then you might be in a toxic relationship. These questions are questions that everyone in a relationship should ask themselves, am i happy? Do they make me feel home or loved? Do they show the same effort as i do? Do they hurt me constantly? Do they control everything i do? if you feel like you’re in a toxic relationship then do yourself a favor and ask yourself these questions.
empathicYosu1506
December 9th, 2020 11:06pm
When you do not feel comfortable in that relationship, when you feel like you give more than you take. When this relationship breaks you down and makes you depressed instead of lifting you up and making you happy. When the one you're in a relationship with doesn't respect you, or even abuse you. Nobody deserves to be treated this way. Sometimes in our lives we get stuck in toxic relationships because we think this is what we deserve or what's is available at the moment. But no, never degrade yourself to be in such a relationship, you deserve to be loved, cared about and respected.
fruityCandy1408
December 10th, 2020 4:23am
If you feel drained after the conversation, for example if it is a one sided conversation, or that for everytime you try to express yourself they start shaming, judging or even telling you that you doing something wrong when you are only stating how you feel about something. Toxicity might be someone who always plays the victim and make you feel bad about thing you did not do, or you something you did and they manipulate it so they are the victim and you are the villain which would make you feel bad, drained. Keep in mind that most toxic relationships are not easy to get out of, they make you feel that you need them, that they are good for you, that you can’t live without them. When in reality it is the opposite, it might be hard at the beginning because after being in a toxic relationship for a while you get used to the poison as your body is now addicted to it. But remember that no matter how hard it is to quit your addiction, it is always the best thing you can do!
Muzie
December 25th, 2020 8:31pm
In my experience, being in a toxic relationship involves several factors. Possibly the two worst-case scenarios of a toxic relationship is physical and verbal abuse. If you are being verbally abused or physically abused, it is best to seek help and to try to get out of that situation as soon as possible. Another indicator of being of in a toxic relationship is feeling bad all the time and having some sort of animosity to your significant other or the other person involved in your relationship whether it be a family member or friend. If you are in a relationship where you are doing all the giving and they are doing all the taking without any reciprocation, then this is another sign of a toxic relationship. It is not possible for a relationship to last without equal work being put in by both partners. One other indicator is the creation of a "score card", where one or both parties keep score of what each person does wrong, and brings the score up in arguments. A person may say they forgive a mishap, but in their mind they may keep the score in their mind to bring up into a later argument. When these mishaps are brought up over and over again, it will slowly destroy the relationship and can be seen and used as manipulative against the other person. One final indicator is that nothing gets resolved. When a conflict arises, it will always end up in an argument because nothing is going through with a calm demeanor. The conflict turning into an argument can turn into resentment for one another. These are only a few basic principles of a toxic relationship and there are many more. I've stated these principle's because these are the things I experienced in one of my previous relationships. In the end, if it is not possible to fix a toxic relationship, then it might be best for both parties to move on and go their separate ways.
Anonymous
January 1st, 2021 8:52pm
Based on my personal experience, I realized I am in a toxic relationship when was not happy anymore being with that person. Originally, when I was with that person, I was genuinely happy and excited. However, from this specific time, I began to feel sad and suspicious whenever I was with that person. It was quite depressing to me at first that I don't feel the kind of happiness that I felt before, but I soon realized that I'm in a toxic relationship. Also, I felt it when I noticed that person is effortless when he/she was spending time with me.
Anonymous
January 1st, 2021 11:07pm
There are many, many forms of toxic relationship scenarios. Whether it’s emotional, physical, sexual, mental, verbal, etc. The ones that are harder to detect is emotional and mental (usually). First of all, you might want to try and detect what area they are being toxic in. If it’s verbal, mental, emotional, etc., or a mix of a few areas. From my experience, the best way to tell is if you feel awful after being around that person. If they gaslight you, put you down, are passive aggressive, etc. towards you, that’s a big sign. Another is when they have a “mother knows best” attitude. They feel they need to be in control and act like they know what is best for you. I would recommend doing research on different abusive/toxic relationships so it is easier to tell if you are in one. Hope this helps!
usefulPuppy
January 8th, 2021 9:06pm
First off, you might be in a toxic relationship if you feel any sort of weird around your partner. It can be caused by anything or nothing in particular. Secondly, another simple sign of toxicity might be if you feel hesitant to share something with them for whatever reason. If you are afraid of their reaction to what you have to say, or if you think they might break up with you, this all could be toxic. Of course, your behaviour might be toxic as well. For example, if you feel like your partner should give you all their passwords, or spend all their time with you or you're constantly worried they might be cheating on you - there is probably something toxic in your relationship that you need to look into. If there is any sort of a wall between you two that prevents you from communicating your feelings, the relationship might be toxic.
MeeelsR
January 9th, 2021 4:35am
This can be one of the hardest things to accept and see in your own life. I have struggled with this. Sometimes things can become toxic slowly, and people become accustomed to that sort of behavior or dynamic, and begin to think that it is normal. It takes a lot of stepping back and really looking at things to understand sometimes. If you are afraid of being yourself, or being honest with the other person -- those are some signs of toxic relationship. If you constantly are feeling guilty for things you didn't do but are being convinced you did, also toxic.
StassieJones
January 13th, 2021 2:29am
Well I think a huge indicator that a relationship is toxic is if you're questioning if it's toxic or not. Healthy people in healthy relationships don't question a good thing. If you are unhappy, and feel the equity in the relationship isn't fair then maybe look for some signs. Is there a lack of support coming from your partner, is the communication nasty/ critical, is there a lot of jealously, is there controlling behaviors, can you actually trust this person, do they show they respect you? If you said yes to maybe even 2 of these things then yes it's toxic. Maybe you're participating in the toxicity, if that's the case then you need to take a step back.
honeycut15
February 10th, 2021 4:17pm
A lot of different relationships can be toxic. From romantic ones to family ties. You'll know if your relationship w/someone if toxic if everything constantly seems to be a battle between you two. A healthy relationship wouldn't make it a game about winning or losing. You guys shouldn't be competing to be right all the time and make the other person feel like their in the wrong. You guys should support each other and uplift each other. Never putting each other down. Also honesty is the foundation of it all. If you find that you or the other person are always being dishonest to each other then somethings wrong. Trust and communication are a big part of having a healthy relationship. If you want to make it work you both have to try hard to understand each other. Another aspect of a toxic relationship is when you feel insecure because of the way the other person treats you or speak to you or if you make them insecure. Also if someone is being controlling in the relationship it isn't healthy no on should try and be over or have more authority of the other person in a relationship. And lastly you shouldn't have to avoid talking to that person about things on your mind. You should be able to attack everything head on together and address conflicts directly.
gracefulSunset7921
March 6th, 2021 5:07pm
You will know if you are in a toxic relationship based on how you feel and how your significant other makes you feel. A healthy relationship does have ups and down but the ups are always greater. A toxic one has you putting up with a lot of downs for a few ups. If you feel like you had to question it in the first place, take a step back and reevaluate your relationship. Always take some alone time for yourself and see if your relationship is affecting you mentally, physically and emotionally. Put yourself first for a couple moments and see if this is what you want to continue with in the long run.
Anonymous
November 6th, 2021 6:14pm
Feeling uncomfortable in a relationships is a first sign of toxicity. Feeling the constant need to say yes, and inability to say no even in the smallest things, is not healthy. You always have the right to say, no. But what if my partner gets frustrated? A toxic relationship is identified by the inability to upkeep your own mind and feeling constantly influenced and swayed. Having to restrain yourself because you think some things will stir an argument between the two, should not be happening either. You should feel open to talk about anything and if it's a truly healthy relationship, your partner will understand and support you through anything.
Peacefulsoul689
November 19th, 2021 8:10pm
These are some of the things based on which one can figure out if they are in a toxic relationship or not. The partner may be very possessive. He/she may not allow the partner to do anything without permission. He/she, sometime, may become violent and hit their partner. He/she may be very abusive towards their partner- either physically or mentally. He or she has no respect for their partner.
yourpal101
April 15th, 2022 7:32pm
you might be in a toxic relationship if you're wondering whether you are in one, because relationships that make you feel safe wouldn't lead you to second guess about it. if your partner constantly gaslights you and makes you feel unworthy of anything, or just makes you feel like you don't deserve anything, or if they make you second guess about why you got together with them, you might be in a toxic relationship. but remember, you might sometimes feel this way when you are not looking deep into your relationship so take a few minutes and think about it 💓
xOso
April 20th, 2022 3:24pm
I would say evaluating your relationship can be arduous. You need to first establish what you value in a relationship and establish boundaries in the relationship. Are your boundaries being broken? If so, does your partner display empathy and/or sympathy when doing so? Is change being demonstrated to better respect your boundaries? We are human and will make mistakes, however, someone who respects you will validate your feelings. When thinking of your relationship do you feel you are feeling more negative than positive feelings (i.e., guilt, sad, fearful, anger, etc.)? A toxic relationship will be riddled with extreme highs and lows. The inability to discover a healthy medium can display toxicity in a relationship. What it truly boils down to is respect. If you make your feelings and needs known and they are intentionally being violated or not met you probably should reevaluate your relationship.