Five Ways to Recognise Toxic Behaviour in Your Relationship

Is your partner, a controlling and jealous freak? Watch out for some warning signs of toxic behaviour in relationships. Lying breaks trust. Without trust, a healthy relationship cannot flower. When in a relationship, it is difficult to identify certain traits of your partner that are borderline toxic.

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You become accustomed to their behaviour and get clouded by their overpowering personality even at risk of forgetting your individuality. A neutral observer can find signs about a toxic relationship, and signal that your partner is not right for you. To retain sanity, a relationship expert and millennial author of the book ‘Love, Lust & Lemons‘ explains classic toxic relationships, as under:

1. Control: If your partner controls your every move, it is a red flag difficult to ignore. Your partner ideally should add to your growth, without holding you back. You need space to become the ideal version of yourself so that both you and your relationship do flourish.
2. Alienation: If your partner alienates you from family and friends, the relationship is definitely toxic. A partner remains a priority in your life, not your entire life. Someone keeping you away from beautiful things probably intends full control over your mind and curbs growth.

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1. Disrespect: Under no feasible circumstance should either of you disrespect each other. Relationships always have their highs and lows, but how you get treated when you’re down, is what defines any healthy intimate relationship. The awful truth is, having reached the disrespectful stage; it is very difficult to move into healthier spaces. Under no circumstance must you disrespect one another.
2. Dishonesty: Lying destroys trust and without trust, a healthy relationship cannot develop. So, if in your relationship both of you can be honest no matter what, you have a keeper. With a constantly lying partner you can be sure this person is not for you.
3. Competing: Your partner should never compete with you, but celebrate your achievements. Even if their life sucks, they must always be happy for you. If your partner is in a constant battle with you, then that someone that can never be a well-wisher.
4. Give Yourself Time: Give time to understand your emotions and heal mentally and emotionally. It is normal to give yourself time to grieve the end of toxic relationships, due to inherent co-dependency that comes with them. Give time to explore new hobbies and focus on self-care. It does hurt for a while, but time heals all wounds.

Walking Away Serves best

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A toxic relationship is one that adversely impacts a person’s health and well-being, as per experts. As we spend much time and energy on romantic partners, these relationships influence our well-being. When these are going well, we usually do well. But when these are not doing well, our happiness and health will tend to be negatively affected. Relationships are always hard work. Anyone telling you otherwise, has never been in any long-term relationship. There will be moments that are a complete struggle, but relationships should never become toxic. Evaluate your relationship if it enters any of the stages mentioned above. Finally, do consider going in for counseling or therapy. Toxic relationships always leave a lasting impact, damaging your sense of self and self-worth. There is no shame in working with professionals to heal.