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

The feeling of not being happy, you're drained from the interactions, most people in your life tell you, and the sense of piece with them has been gone.

1. Your other half doesn’t take responsibility 2. if your other half shuts down the conversation when you are trying to discuss issues 3.you can feel the relationship draining you 4.your other half is bringing you down or constantly giving constructive criticism when not asked 5.your partner doesn’t pay attention to your life e.g. your schedule 6.you feel as if you are the only one making the effort 7. you feel trapped and controlled 8.your partner doesn’t respect you or what you have to say 9.you don’t have a feeling of relationship security 10.you don’t feel able to confide in them about your problems. There is many more.

think about if you have highs and lows. One kind of toxic relationship is a roller coaster relationship. These relationships have real high and real lows. Like a roller coaster. And most of the time you feel like you can't leave the roller coaster. You're stuck with the person. Even if you hate it! Which is horrible. I went through one. It's takes a long long time to end it. It takes Bravery, and convincing to get yourself to tell them I don't think this is a good relationship. Roller coaster relationships are pretty obvious, if you're in one. If you are experincing high and extreme lows, stupid fights, or the person want you to only be friends with them and not with anyone else, you are probably in a toxic relationship.

When only one person benefits and the relationship is constantly on your mind but it is a burden. When you do not feel safe around them all the time. When they diminish your confidence and hope, when they do not speak words of encouragement but words of defeat. When they act like you are the problem even when you know that they caused it. When the person only uses you for convenience, and when they want something. When you even have to question if they even love you and you feel like you’re not enough for them and can’t see a hopeful future with them.

If you feel like you have to ask permission to see friends/ go out etc, or ‘tread on eggshells’ around the person, if they are controlling or mentally/physically abusive. This could be through degrading language, physical violence or mind games. Abusers will also try to seclude you from your closest friends and family in a further attempt to control your life. If your partner controls your money is also a key sign of this. If you ever feel scared to talk to your partner about everyday things incase they react badly, chances are you may be in a toxic relationship.

Toxic relationships are often times very, very difficult to recognize. When we're in love, it's so easy for our brains to override the bad with the good, to remember the one or two times our partner did something right and ignore all the times they did something wrong. But at the same time, toxicity in relationships can manifest in many different ways, so you may be looking in one place and the problem can be in another. Sometimes it helps to get an outside opinion from someone that you trust; someone who would give you the cold hard truth because its in your best interest. If this isn't an option, you're going to have to do some serious self-reflecting. Ask yourself what it is that you want not only for the relationship but also for yourself. If, by yourself, you notice that those things are being met and actually being oppressed, do some rethinking about the relationship. If you bring these up to your partner and its dismissed without a second thought, that's a warning sign as well.

If you feel like you are constantly walking on eggshells, unable to be yourself, resenting your partner, giving up your needs to accommodate theirs, it could be a toxic relationship. If you have brought these concerns up to them, and they lie to you, gaslight you, don't trust you, guilt trip/coerce you into doing things you do not want to do, or prohibit you from doing certain things, it's a concerning sign. Trust your gut. Please reach out to a listener on this site or someone else you trust in your life to talk about your specific situation. I hope that you are safe and able to exit that relationship if it is toxic and that you have people who can support you through it.

Hmmm, this is a very question. How does someone know if they are in a toxic relationship? You need to look at the signs. Are you constantly being abused mentally, physically, or emotionally? Do you feel as though your partner is not willing to talk to you when you want to talk about things? Is your partner equally invested in the relationship as you are? These are the tough questions that need to be answered. The easier signs of a toxic relationship are if your partner hits you, takes advantage of you, cheats on you, breaks your trust numerous times, does not respect me, goes behind your back and does bad things, etc. These are questions you need to ask yourself. Feel free to consult one of our listeners for more insight, or ask them to refer you to a therapist if you want :)

-You're always the one initiating conversation -Being ignored -Your feelings aren't valid -Your opinion doesn't matter to them -They make you feel guilty frequently -Use fear/guilt to get what they want from you - You put in much more into the relationship than they give back - You feel pressured to do things you don't like -They do not value you -Isolate you from your friends -They change your identity -There is physical or verbal abuse of any kind -It's always about them, not you -They play the victim to get what they want -Cheated on you (Once a cheater, always a cheater) -Frequent lying -Always puts themselves first -Dismisses your concerns or justifies them -They don't have your best interest Hope this covered everything :)

Relationships should help you to grow to be the best possible version of yourself. If you find yourself in a relationship in which you are having to change who you are, and it does not line up with the vision you have of yourself you need to find out why. A toxic relationship will typically cause you to become more cynical, negative and to have an outlook on life that does not promote positive goal oriented behavior. Your relationship should help you to grow into your potential. We all must become the best version of ourselves and if your relationship is not providing that, you need to set boundaries and have a conversation with your partner to see what can be mutually agreed upon to help you become who you envision.