Every couple is bound to encounter bumps in the road, whether that's the occasional disagreement about how to spend money or frustrations around a relative's behavior. But a toxic relationship is marked by consistent, harmful patterns that cause one to feel controlled and dominated by fear, uncertainty, and insecurity, explains clinical psychologist Lisa Lawless, PhD, CEO of Holistic Wisdom.
"The key attributes often involve consistent disrespect, manipulation, and emotional, physical, or psychological abuse," she notes.
Being in a toxic relationship can make you feel like you're constantly walking on eggshells, bracing for an emotional storm from your partner at any moment, Lawless says. The dynamic can also spur "feelings of shame, guilt, disrespect, betrayal, and emotional exhaustion."
She adds that toxic relationships can "cause someone to feel as though they are not worthy of kindness, respect, and love. There is often a sense of losing their personal boundaries, and it is challenging to distinguish where they end and their partner begins."
It's no surprise that contending with a toxic relationship over time can take a toll on your mental health in a major way. As a result of being in one, you may experience anxiety, depression, or low self-esteem, notes Stephanie Macadaan, LMFT, a therapist in the San Francisco Bay Area.
To get a sense of whether a relationship is truly toxic, it can help to look out for the toxic relationship signs listed ahead. But while these are general suggestions of toxic relationship signs, it's best to talk to an expert to determine if your relationship fits the definition.
