10 Signs You Could Be in a Toxic Relationship, According to Experts

In a toxic relationship, a partner may seek sympathy and assistance while failing to assert their own sense of responsibility, therefore making themselves out to be a perpetual victim, Lawless says. In turn, they blame and manipulate others.

Mahler agrees, adding that toxic partners will not show signs of accountability. For instance, they might have zero empathy for a previous partner and villainize their exes. "They might even act odd when discussing their exes and may not be willing to share their exes' names with you, which is an attempt to hide their past behavior and keep you in the dark," she notes.