Is Your Relationship Toxic? 4 Signs Your Relationship is Harmful to You

Most people enter into relationships hoping for a mutually satisfying, loving, and respectful union. Unfortunately, some individuals come into relationships with personal issues that are destructive to the other partner, and to the relationship in general. This can create a toxic situation that can cause a great deal of harm and damage to the affected partner. Here are 4 signs that your relationship is toxic:

1. There is abuse occurring in the relationship. Physical abuse or the threat of it is very serious and often escalates, and it is important to gain professional guidance from a domestic violence counselor if you are experiencing this type of abuse. Emotional abuse is sometimes harder to pinpoint, but is nevertheless very damaging over time. If you are feeling inferior, incapable, or questioning reality when you interact with your partner, this can be a sign that you are experiencing controlling, critical, or emotionally abusive behavior directed toward you.

2. Your partner is caught up in untreated addiction and refuses help. If your partner is focused primarily on getting the next drink or high, he or she is unlikely to be fully available in the relationship. In addition, it is often tempting to try to save or fix the addict by trying to control the drinking or drug use, and by preventing the addict from facing the consequences of his or her actions. Unfortunately, this only perpetuates the cycle and the negative dynamic of the addict and partner. The addict has no motivation to change if someone is keeping him or her from facing the results of the using, and the partner often grows increasingly resentful and caught up in the various crises of the addict, including job instability and potential legal issues.

3. There is repeated and/or ongoing infidelity in the relationship. A relationship can be saved after an affair if both partners work hard to recommit and establish better communication and accountability. However, an ongoing breach of trust does not allow this foundational piece of a relationship to be rebuilt, and the continuing betrayals can be very damaging to the self worth and esteem of the other partner.

4. Your partner has a personality disorder such as narcissism or sociopathy. These disorders involve fundamental hard wiring of the personality and do not change at the core. Character traits such as entitlement, a sense of inflated self worth, a lack of empathy or remorse for wrongdoing, and poor impulse control can result in a lengthy record of very destructive and hurtful behaviors.

Are you interested in addressing your life challenges from a holistic standpoint, assessing the physical, emotional, and relationship components?

For a free copy of my ebook, "Natural Methods To Fight Depression", click here: http://www.stoptoxicrelationships.com/gifts-naturalmethodstofightdepression.html

Shannon Cook is a personal coach and resource guide who has written a number of informative articles and ebooks on the topic of toxic relationships and holistic personal growth, including physical, emotional and relationship health.

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