This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure for more info.
A toxic relationship is one that has few, if any, redeeming qualities and will leave you feeling drained, confused, and hurt.
It's difficult to spot these relationships because they can feel like they’re going well at first. However, as time goes on and you get to know your partner better, you may notice some serious red flags that make it clear the relationship is not healthy for you.
Here are several ways a toxic relationship can manifest::
- Emotional abuse: This is when one partner uses words or actions to belittle or undermine the other’s self-worth. Examples include name-calling, put-downs, gaslighting, and manipulation.
- Control issues: In a toxic relationship, one partner may try to control and dominate the other. For example, adverse actions may include isolating the partner from friends and family, monitoring their every move, and making all the decisions.
- Lack of respect: Respect is a cornerstone of any healthy relationship. If one partner disrespects the other by disregarding their feelings, ignoring their needs, or criticizing them constantly, it can lead to serious problems.
- Dishonesty: Trust is an essential component of any healthy relationship. A toxic partner may lie or deceive their partner, hide things from them, or be unconcerned about keeping promises.
- Jealousy: Jealousy can be a normal emotion, but when it becomes excessive and irrational, it can be a sign of a toxic relationship. A jealous partner may accuse their partner of infidelity, monitor their social media accounts, or try to control who they spend time with.
- Absence of constructive communication: In a toxic relationship, one partner may refuse to communicate, or they may communicate in a way that is hurtful or dismissive.
- Physical abuse: Physical abuse is a serious form of toxicity that can lead to injury or death. It can include hitting, slapping, choking, or any other act of violence.
Recognizing these signs is the first step to addressing toxicity in a relationship. If you or someone you know is in a toxic relationship, it’s important to seek help from a professional or trusted source.
How to Recognize Toxic Relationship Signs
“Don’t confuse “familiar” with “acceptable”. Toxic relationships can fool you like that.” ― Steve Maraboli
A toxic relationship is characterized by an ongoing pattern of destructive behavior that one or both parties in the relationship exhibit.
This behavior is emotionally and psychologically abusive, which causes the abused party to feel a sense of despair, helplessness, and/or anxiety and fear.
Toxic relationships can be hard to spot—and harder to leave.
The initial rush of romance and infatuation is often a disguise for manipulative behavior and unhealthy attachments. For example, frequent arguments, a partner’s jealousy, or distrust in one another may be signs that the relationship is not worth saving.
Relationship difficulties that can lead to toxic behavior are typically marked by frequent bickering, withdrawals and arguments. In such a set-up, you find yourself trapped in a cycle that’s hard to break.
The following list may help you recognize the warning signs of an abusive relationship:
- Is your partner more concerned about how you look than how you feel? Are they “policing” your actions?
- Does your partner constantly accuse you of flirting with others or cheating? Is this affecting your ability to hang out with friends or family?
- Are they always asking where you are going, who you’re with and what you’re doing?
- Do they deny their own feelings/emotions/thoughts and refuse to discuss them? Do they blame others for their problems and mistakes?
- Do they expect to control all aspects of your life together, such as finances, friends, work and social activities?
- Do they make unreasonable demands or requests, such as wanting you to cut off contact with family or friends?
Although it's obvious to outsiders that something is amiss in your relationship, do they still refuse to acknowledge the problems that exist and seek to solve them?
If you answer “yes” to even some of these questions, you may need to recognize you’re in a toxic relationship — one that may or may not be worth saving.
Toxic Relationship Effects
Toxic relationships can have a devastating impact on the person who is suffering from it. The effects can be emotional and physical, mental and spiritual, and can last long after the relationship has ended.
Here are some of the most common effects and fallout of a toxic relationship:
- Low self-esteem: Constant criticism, belittling, and emotional abuse can lead to a decrease in self-worth and a negative self-image.
- Anxiety and depression: Toxic relationships can cause anxiety and depression because of the stress, uncertainty, and fear that comes with it.
- Difficulty trusting others: After experiencing a toxic relationship, it's challenging to trust others and form healthy relationships.
- Isolation: Toxic partners may try to isolate their significant others from friends and family, leading to feelings of loneliness and social isolation.
- Physical health problems: The stress and anxiety of a toxic relationship can lead to physical health problems, such as headaches, digestive issues, and fatigue.
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): If the toxic relationship involved severe emotional abuse and/or physical abuse, PTSD can result, causing flashbacks, nightmares, and anxiety.
- Financial problems: Toxic partners can create financial problems by demanding money or manipulating their partner into making financial decisions that are not in their best interest.
- Guilt and shame: Sufferers of toxic relationships may feel guilty or ashamed for staying in the relationship or for not being able to fix it.
- Fear: Fear of the toxic partner, fear of leaving the relationship, and fear of being alone can all be lingering effects of a toxic relationship.
- Loss of identity: After being in a toxic relationship, it's challenging to remember who you were before the relationship began. It can feel as if the toxic partner has changed you, leading to a loss of identity.
In conclusion, the effects and fallout of a toxic relationship can be long-lasting and devastating.
It’s important to recognize the signs of a toxic relationship and seek help from a professional or trusted source if you or someone you know is suffering from a toxic relationship.
Remember, healing is possible, and you deserve to be happy and healthy.
But what if you have a sincere, strong desire to save a toxic relationship? Read on.
How to Save a Poisonous Partnership
If the question is how to save a toxic relationship with your significant other, the short answer is you can’t.
It requires both parties to want to make the relationship work, and it requires a mutual understanding of what makes up a healthy relationship together, as well as some honest self-reflection by both parties.
Identify where the problems lie. The first step in saving a toxic relationship is figuring out what is wrong. Many of us accept things we shouldn’t; but once we know what needs changing, we can set out to do just that.
If you have identified the toxic person in your life and what it is about them that causes you distress, then you are one step closer to solving the problem.
The second step is communication. You need to be honest with yourself and your partner about how they make you feel, why they make you feel that way (and if there are any ways the two of you can work together), and what changes need to happen so that both of your needs are being met.
Setting boundaries is another vital step to save a toxic relationship because setting boundaries can help guide both parties on what each person wants out of the relationship and how far each person will go before reaching their limit for tolerating certain behaviors or actions from one another.
Stick to these boundaries, even when it may be easier, in the short-term at least, to relent.
Also, consider finding professional help. Once you identify what is causing you distress, you may find it helpful to seek advice from an impartial source.
A therapist can help you work on communication skills and how to express yourself without inflaming the situation further—this will be especially important if your partner refuses to go with you to therapy but agrees that at least one of you should go.
How to End a Toxic Relationship
It is never easy to end a toxic relationship. It is even harder when that relationship has been a long-term one, with years of emotional investment on both sides.But the fact that it's hard doesn't mean it shouldn't be done. In fact, it may be the only way to truly break free and move on with your life.
“If you’re brave enough to say goodbye, life will reward you with a new hello.” – Paulo Coelho
Ending a toxic relationship is a hard decision, but it’s often the best thing for your emotional and physical well-being.
If you’ve tried to salvage the relationship to no avail or have realized that it’s beyond repair, here are some steps to take to end a toxic relationship:
Acknowledge your feelings: Recognize that the relationship is toxic and that it’s causing harm to you. It’s okay to feel sad, angry, or scared about ending the relationship.
Set boundaries: As mentioned previously, determine what your boundaries are and stick to them. This can involve limiting contact or eliminating contact,, avoiding certain topics, or refusing to engage in arguments.
Plan ahead: Make a plan for how you will end the relationship, including where you will go, what you will say, and who you will turn to for support.
Be clear and direct: When you end the relationship, be unambiguous and explicit with your decision. Avoid blaming or attacking the other person, but focus on how the relationship is affecting you.
Disconnect: Once the relationship has concluded, it is imperative to disconnect from the toxic partner. This may involve blocking them on social media, changing your phone number, or even moving to a new location.
Seek support: Ending a toxic relationship can be emotionally challenging, so it’s important to seek support from friends, family, or a therapist. They can give you the emotional bolstering you require to recuperate and progress.
Take care of yourself: After ending the relationship, focus on self-care. Exercising, getting some therapy, spending quality time with those close to you, or doing things that make you happy could all be in the cards.
Ending a toxic relationship is a tough decision, but it’s essential for your emotional and physical well-being.
By recognizing your feelings, setting boundaries, planning, being clear and direct, cutting off contact, seeking support, and taking care of yourself, you can end the toxic relationship and heal. Remember, it’s worth repeating: you deserve to be in a healthy and positive relationship.
How to Heal After an Unhealthy Relationship
“Letting go means to come to the realization that some people are a part of your history, but not a part of your destiny.” –Steve Maraboli
It can take a while to recover after leaving a toxic relationship, but it's essential for your overall health. Here are some steps you can take to heal after ending a toxic relationship:
- Acknowledge your feelings: It’s okay to feel a range of emotions after ending a toxic relationship, including sadness, anger, and confusion. Acknowledge these feelings and give yourself time to process and work through them.
- Practice self-care: Self-care is crucial for healing after ending a toxic relationship. Achieving balance could mean getting enough sleep, eating nutritious meals, exercising, and taking part in activities that bring you joy.
- Seek support: It’s important to seek support from friends, family, or a therapist. They will listen to you, give you emotional support, and help you on your journey to healing.
- Prioritize your needs: After ending a toxic relationship, it’s important to prioritize your needs and focus on what brings you joy and fulfillment. This may involve pursuing hobbies, taking a class, or traveling.
- Practice forgiveness: Forgiving yourself and your ex-partner is an important step in the healing process. You don't have to erase the past, but you have to let go of the bitterness and rage.
- Be patient: Healing after ending a toxic relationship takes time, so be patient with yourself. It’s okay to have setbacks or tough days, but remember that each day is a step forward.
- Get to know yourself and love yourself: After ending a toxic partnership, take some time for you. Engage in more introspection and self-reflection, and discover what you want out of life and out of any relationship. Discover the beauty within and establish relationships that nurture and sustain you.
You can recuperate from a poisonous relationship and find one that is caring and helpful.
Final Words on Dysfunctional Relationships
When it feels like you're waiting on pins and needles to respond to an intimidating person who speaks with the proverbial bullhorn, do yourself a favor and walk away. Take a few deep breaths until you can collect your thoughts and emotions, and then take suitable action.
A malignant cycle of behavior that can wreak havoc on the emotions and physical health of those involved is a telltale sign of a toxic relationship.
Signs of a toxic relationship may include constant criticism, emotional abuse, lack of trust, controlling behavior, and physical violence.
The consequences of a harmful relationship can be long-lasting and could involve a lack of self-worth, uneasiness, depression, difficulty believing in others, withdrawal, health difficulties, guilt and humiliation, dread, and lack of identity.
If you find yourself in a toxic relationship, it’s important to save or end it. If you believe you can salvage the relationship, it’s essential to communicate with your partner about your concerns and work together to establish healthy boundaries and communication.
However, if you’ve tried to salvage the relationship to no avail, or you’ve realized that it’s beyond repair, it’s important to end the relationship for your sanity and survival.
Healing from the effects of a toxic relationship takes time and effort.
Acknowledge your emotions, prioritize yourself, look for help from those you trust, take care of yourself, forgive, and show patience.
Keep in mind, you have the right to be in a healthy and supportive relationship, and with determination and work, you can gain happiness and satisfaction.
It can take time and hard work to recover from the effects of an unhealthy relationship, but with the right support and outlook, it's possible to break free from the toxicity, move forward, and enjoy a healthier life.
Gain instant access to our popular Holistic Strong newsletter by scrolling down.