A toxic relationship is a relationship in which at least one individual feels constantly put down, controlled, or manipulated. You could be in a toxic relationship with almost anyone – a romantic partner, even a co-worker, a buddy, a roommate, or a family member. Recognizing the signs of the toxic relationship so that you could escape it or getting support dealing with this human.
Recognize Narcissism
Paying attention to how often the interactions are about them and not you. If it’s tough for you to have a two-sided conversation with this human, something is wrong. Do you spend a lot of time making them feel good about themself, but not the other way around?
• For example, do they spend a lot of time complaining about the boss (and expecting you to sympathize) but then having tiny patience when it’s your turn to talk about the day?
Ask yourself whether people tried to control you. Do they try to tell you what to do or influence who you can be buds with? Paying attention to irrational jealousy or displays in particular. These actions could appear to be loving manners, but if they crossed the line into possessiveness, this is an unhealthy manner.
• Notice in particular if they were trying to isolate you from your other buds and family or turning you against them. If they were trying to take away your support network, something is false.
• Snooping or Spying is a sign that they are trying to control you and don’t faith you.
Watching for power struggles. When you have an argument, are people more focused on winning the argument than exploring a solution that works for both of you? Do they show a lack of empathy for the position?
• Especially if they utilize guilt by trying to manipulate you into taking their side of the argument, this relationship might be toxic.
Determining Whether You were Being Mistreated
Asking yourself if it felt like you could not do anything right. Do you fight a lot with this person (frequently over insignificant stuff)? Do they criticize you a lot, mock you, or make you feel ashamed of yourself? Do you explore yourself and agree with them just so that you would get along?
• Notice whether this emotion is seeping into other aspects of life as well. If you used to love your job and felt like you were good at it, but now feel like you could not do anything right at work, asking yourself whether your relationship might affect your self-esteem.
Paying attention to the jokes. When they teased you, do you get numerous truths spoken in jest? If so, this human might be utilizing humor to (not so) subtly deprecating you, which is often the toxic manner.
• Teasing could be a fun chunk of the relationship, and it was not always a sign of toxicity. The issue comes when teasing crosses the line into bullying or making fun. If you feel like these people are trying to hurt the emotions by teasing you, it’s probably not meant in a flirtatious or fun way.
• Particularly if they appreciate you for your beliefs (like politics or faith ) or life choices (like your educational or career aims), you might be in a toxic relationship.
Watching for unhealthier pressure. If people are encouraging you to do stuff you don’t want to do, that’s a false sign. If someone is pressuring you to drink more than you wanted to, abuse drugs when that’s not your stuff, or having sex at times or in manners that you do not love, this relationship is pretty much offensive and noxious.
Don’t stand for abusive behavior. Abuse could take numerous forms, including both emotional and physical. In a toxic relationship, the other people might try to hurt you with physical violence or by trample on the emotions. In either case, this is a relationship that it’s timeline to get out of.
Assessing If the Relationship is Changing You
Pay attention to their own behaviors. If you were in a toxic relationship, you might discover that you are starting to behave in unattractive manners. Are you short with other persons outside of the relationship? Are you fag or booze more than usual? Is the work suffering? Were your other relationships suffering?
• Particularly if you behave in ways that are pretty dangerous to yourself or others (like driving and drinking, for example), it’s a timeline to get out of this relationship and possibly seek support.
Assess your own emotions. How do you feel when you are with this individual? After you spend time with them, do you feel good about yourself, or does your self-esteem take a dive? Do you leave your interactions feeling much more energetic, or do they sapped you of the energy?
Paying attention to the good moments. If you explore that area you were not even able to enjoy happy or neutral moments with them (like riding in the car, watching TV, or fixing up dinner), then they might affect their happiness.