For example, do they spend a lot of time complaining about their boss (and expect you to sympathize) but then have little patience when it’s your turn to talk about your day?
Notice in particular if they are trying to isolate you from your other friends and family or turn you against them. If they’re trying to take away your support network, something is wrong. [2] X Research source Spying or snooping is also a sign that they’re trying to control you and don’t trust you. [3] X Research source
Especially if they use guilt to try to manipulate you into taking their side of an argument, this relationship may be toxic. [4] X Expert Source Moshe Ratson, MFT, PCCMarriage & Family Therapist Expert Interview. 7 August 2019.
Notice whether this feeling is seeping into other aspects of your life as well. If you used to love your job and feel like you were great at it, but now feel like you can’t do anything right at work, ask yourself whether your relationship might be affecting your overall self-esteem.
Teasing can be a fun part of a relationship, and it’s not always a sign of toxicity. The problem comes when teasing crosses the line into making fun or bullying. If you feel like this person is trying to hurt your feelings by teasing you, it’s probably not meant in a fun or flirtatious way. Particularly if they belittle you for your beliefs (like faith or politics) or life choices (like your educational or career goals), you may be in a toxic relationship. [7] X Research source
If you think that you or someone you know is being abused, seek help immediately. You can go online to the National Domestic Violence Hotline website or call this organization at 1-800-799-7233 or 1-800-787-3224 (TTY).
Particularly if you’re behaving in ways that are dangerous to yourself or others (like drinking and driving, for example), it’s time to get out of this relationship and possibly seek help.
Think carefully about what is causing your feelings. If it’s possible that another part of your life (such as your job or your relationship with someone else) is causing your negative feelings, you may not be in a toxic relationship after all. Look for other signs before you decide that this is the case.
Think about the way you behave when you’re alone or when you’re with anyone you feel very comfortable with (such as a family member or close friend). Is the way you behave around this person significantly different?
Remember that a relationship doesn’t have to be “toxic” in order to be bad or unhealthy. There are plenty of reasons to remove yourself from a relationship whether it’s truly toxic or not.
