Jun 18, 2020 in Counseling

Are you in a toxic relationship?

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To occasionally have relationship problems is entirely normal, but what happens when these occasional moments of negative behavior become a consistent pattern? 

That’s what we call toxicity, and it’s a huge contributor to a type of negative relationship that can be emotionally, mentally, and even physically damaging for the parties involved. Despite the harm that a toxic relationship between you and your partner can bring, these types of relationships exist in every part of the world without exception.

According to the World Health Organization’s World Report on Violence and Health, incidents of intimate partner violence where women were physically assaulted by their male partners were reported at rates of anywhere between 10% and 69% among countries surveyed.

Signs of a toxic relationship.

However, not all toxic relationships involve physical violence.

Toxic relationships may manifest in a myriad of different ways, but there are still some patterns we can use to analyze relationships and ask ourselves, “Is this healthy? Is it normal?” The following behaviors are only a few of the signs that may accompany toxic love:

• Dishonesty (including small fibs or “white lies”);
• Jealousy;
• Controlling behaviors;
• Financial abuse (withholding money or not allowing access to credit cards or bank statements, for example);
• Self-centered attitudes.

If you feel like you are always tiptoeing around disaster with your partner, this too may be a sign of a toxic relationship or that they are a toxic person.

The dangers of toxicity in relationships.

Aside from the fact that toxic relationships can lead to heartache and the potential for violence, research has also shown that these kinds of relationships are associated with serious consequences for both your physical and mental health.

Unhealthy relationships may prompt a dangerous lack of self-confidence, unhappiness, and fatigue. Plus, research has shown that living in a toxic relationship can even lead to an increased risk of heart attacks or other heart problems.

Dealing healthily with toxic love. 

If you recognize signs of toxicity in your own relationship or fear that negative patterns in your relationship may lead to future toxicity, you can ask for help anywhere and anytime from an Online Relationship Counselor. Online counseling sessions provide an opportunity for you to speak candidly to an Expert in a safe environment, and these Counselors can help you to navigate a negative relationship in a healthy way.

Instead of letting toxicity fester, reach out today in order to get the help you need. Learning to move forward with the help of a Counselor will not only feel better, but it will leave you healthier, too! Browse through our list of Online Relationship Counselors and message them for free today.

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