Recognizing Toxic Relationships

Signs you can tell you are in one

Toxic relationships affect a lot of people, we either ignore it or we don’t acknowledge it. Because of October being domestic violence awareness month. Here are some ways you could recognize early signs of toxic relationships. 

At least once in our lifetime ourselves or someone you know comes across some form of toxicity either from a loved one, or even a friend. It is very important for people to know what toxic relationships are so that they don’t mistake it for love and seek proper help. Toxic relationships come in many different forms could be from gaslighting, manipulation, physical abuse etc. 

Toxic relationships can take a huge toll on one’s mental health, thinking they might not be “good” enough or that they are not being supported.

Some signs you could have a toxic relationship could be when there is some type of lack of support, when you aren’t feeling like you’re being supported and instead you are feeling and/or being criticized. 

Another sign could be envy or jealousy, the person being way too overprotective where it doesn’t feel caring at all. Or where it doesn’t feel like you are in a relationship but the person is telling you what you can and can’t do.

It could also be when you aren’t feeling respected, you aren’t being treated as an equal. When you’re being treated like trash, as if the person is using you in some way. 

There are endless ways one can feel they are in a toxic relationship that is why it is very important for people to identify when they are in one before it escalates. If you or someone is stuck in this situation call the National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-7233.