How to know you are in a toxic relationship: Signs

A toxic relationship is one in which one or both people experience emotional, physical or psychological harm. These relationships are mainly found between couples, but can also occur between family members, friends or coworkers.

Mental health is affected in a toxic relationship, which causes harm to one or both people involved. These relationships are harmful and cause discomfort. Although they are commonly associated with romantic relationships, they can also occur in other contexts, such as within the family or friendship environment.

Psychologist Eva Gutiérrez explained in an interview that “toxic behaviors start out very subtle and can go unnoticed at first. And when we realize that this may not be healthy behavior, we tend to justify it.”

Lara Ferreiro, also a psychologist, maintains that the first thing she does with her patients is “kill their hope that their toxic partner will change.”

10 Signs of a Toxic Relationship

These are ten signs that indicate that a relationship is very toxic:

Disrespect

One of the clearest signs of a toxic relationship is the lack of respect. This can take many forms, such as insults, humiliation, constant criticism, or imposing opinions and desires.

Control and manipulation

Another common sign of toxic relationships is control and manipulation. The toxic person seeks to dominate the other person’s life by making them feel guilty, resorting to emotional blackmail, or threatening to leave them.

Toxic people tend to be extremely jealous and distrustful. This can result in constantly monitoring the other person, spying on their activities, or preventing them from seeing other friends or family.

Negative communication

Communication in toxic relationships is often negative and damaging. Toxic people tend to criticize, insult, or blame the other party, which makes interaction difficult and frustrating.

Lack of empathy

Another common characteristic of toxic people is a lack of empathy. These people cannot put themselves in the shoes of others and, therefore, fail to understand their feelings or needs.

Gaslighting

Gaslighting is an emotional manipulation technique in which the toxic person seeks to convince the other that they are losing their mind or that they cannot trust their own judgment.

Emotional dependence

Toxic people often foster an emotional dependency on the other person. This causes the other person to feel trapped and prevent them from leaving the relationship, even when they are aware that it is harmful.

Low self-esteem

People in toxic relationships often have low self-esteem. This makes them more vulnerable to manipulation by the toxic person.

Feelings of guilt and shame

Those in toxic relationships often experience feelings of guilt and shame. This is because the toxic person tends to blame them for all the problems that arise in the relationship.

Physical and psychological problems

Toxic relationships can have a negative impact on the physical and psychological health of those who suffer from them. They can lead to anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, eating problems and, in some cases, even physical violence.

What to do if you are in a toxic relationship?

If you suspect you are in a toxic relationship, it is crucial to seek help. Talk to a friend, family member, or therapist who can offer support and help you make the decision to leave the relationship.

Getting out of a toxic relationship isn’t easy, but it is possible. With the right support, you can get through this situation and get your life back.

Psychologist Eva Gutiérrez says “We tend to stretch relationships like chewing gum until they can’t go on any longer. And when we make the decision, pure and simple violence has often already set in.”

Tips for getting out of a toxic relationship

Admit that you are in a toxic relationship. The first step to leaving a harmful relationship is to accept that you are in it. This can be tricky, as the toxic person often tries to manipulate you into believing that the relationship is normal.

Seek support. Talk to a friend, family member, or therapist who can support you and help you make the decision to leave the relationship.

Plan your exit. Before you leave the relationship, it’s important to plan your exit. This will help you feel more confident and prepared.

Set boundaries. Once you have left the relationship, it is important to set boundaries with the toxic person. This will help protect you from their manipulation.

Remember that you are not alone. With the right support, you can also overcome this situation.