Whether it’s the portal of a couple in your favourite rom-com or a high-profile celebrity romance, toxic traits within relationships are often romanticised in today’s society.
Although, finding yourself in an unhealthy relationship can be detrimental to your mental health and emotional well-being.
To raise awareness around this subject, MrQ has partnered with relationship expert Ness Cooper at The Sex Consultant to reveal the key warning signs of a toxic relationship and how to recover from being exposed to one.
Five warning signs of a toxic relationship
There is no room for you to be yourself
The relationship can be very one-sided and controlling, making you feel isolated. When you try and be yourself, your partner may display toxic jealousy.
Boundaries are regularly overstepped
When raising issues around boundaries not being listened to, you’re often ignored, or your partner reacts negatively in unhealthy ways such as retaliation.
They put you down even during moments you deserve praise
They make you doubt your abilities, leading to reduced confidence and self-esteem.
They aren’t dependable when you need them
When they let you down, they will make out it’s something you did and will not take responsibility for their actions.
Lack of communication or the type of communication
Conversations can often be focused in one direction with control or love bombing elements. This communication doesn’t allow you to learn about each other on a deeper level, and they will avoid personal questions.
How do you leave one if you find yourself in a toxic relationship?
Plan and build a network you can rely on
This will help you work out what actions you need to take regarding money, where to stay, childcare, and more when you are ready to leave.
Talk to someone you trust about the situation
Having someone on your side who knows how the toxic relationship has affected you can help. If you struggle to reach out to a friend or family, seek help from a therapist, or support charity, all conversations and reasons will be confidential.
Re-establish boundaries and stick them
Focus on setting up boundaries and rules for when you part ways. This can be even more important if you have joint obligations and commitments that can’t finish even after ending the relationship, such as co-parenting.
Learn to do more things for yourself
Focusing on adding in more things for yourself will help you gain stronger self-esteem and better confidence. This will help you move on from the relationship.
Cut all unnecessary communication and interactions
Whilst some forms of communication and interactions may need to continue after the relationship ends, you don’t owe them any other forms of interaction. When you give them more opportunities into your new world through unneeded communication and interactions, it can lead to you reliving the toxic elements of the past relationship.
