Signs of a Toxic Relationship

It goes without saying that relationships are hard work. While it’s normal for relationships to have their ups and downs, a toxic relationship tends to feel like an uphill battle.

Dr. Lillian Glass, the author of 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.”

If you or a loved one is in an unsupportive relationship, it could be time to consider individual therapy for those in toxic relationships.

How do you spot a toxic relationship? These are few tell-tale signs that a relationship is toxic.

Frequent lying

Trust is the foundation of any relationship, and without it, a healthy relationship isn’t possible. If your partner lies consistently and you find it hard to trust them, this is a red flag.

Disrespect

Name-calling, shouting, or putting your partner down are all signs of a toxic relationship. In more serious cases, threats or violence can occur and should be brought to attention as soon as possible. National Domestic Violence Hotline is a great resource for this.

Controlling behaviors

Giving your partner a curfew, demanding to know their location at all times, or forcing them to give up their independence can indicate a toxic relationship. Relationships should be a give and take, one partner should never feel like they are the only one giving. It is important for both partners to have a sense of autonomy in a relationship in order to bring the best version of themselves to the relationship.

Making Excuses for Your Partner

In a toxic relationship, many individuals find themselves creating excuses for their partner’s questionable behavior. If you find that you’re regularly making excuses for your partner’s choices and actions to yourself or others, it may be time to re-evaluate the relationship or seek out individual therapy for those in toxic relationships.

Gaslighting

Gaslighting can be subtle or overt. Gaslighting is a form of manipulation in which an individual makes their partner question their memory, perception, or judgment. In toxic relationships, this can happen when an individual shares their feelings and has them invalidated by their partner, perhaps by saying “You’re crazy if you think that!” In a healthy relationship, feelings must be discussed in a respectful way, rather than shutting down or mocking your partner.

There are many other signs of a toxic relationship. If you spot these patterns in your own relationship or that of a loved one, it might be time to seek out individual therapy for those in a toxic relationship. At Respark Therapy, we have trained therapists ready to help. Contact us to schedule an appointment 512-537-0922. Or, Schedule an appointment now.

 

Thankfully, more and more women are seeing the signs and walking away from toxic relationships. To read more about this click here to read the article by Amaka.