Introduction
When you’re in a failing relationship, it’s hard to recognize the signs. After all, if you’re unhappy with your partner or there’s some type of abuse happening, you might be trying to ignore it and hoping that things improve. However, ignoring the signs of a toxic relationship often makes them worse—and can even lead to serious consequences for both partners involved in an unhealthy connection.
Neglecting responsibilities
- Neglecting responsibilities
- Putting their own needs first
- Lack of respect for other people’s time, feelings and property
Not showing affection
It’s a common misconception that relationships are about being in love, and nothing else. But as any relationship expert will tell you, there are many things that go into a successful partnership–and one of those things is showing affection.
If your partner isn’t giving you hugs or kisses when they see you, it could be a sign of trouble ahead. If your partner has stopped holding hands with you in public or giving the occasional back rub after sex (or even just before), this is something worth paying attention to–especially if their other behaviors have changed as well. Major signs of a failing relationship: Learn about the red flags that indicate a relationship may be in trouble.
Having a partner who thinks they’re better than you can be a sign of toxic behavior.
- You don’t feel good about yourself.
- Your partner has a sense of superiority over you, and that can be toxic to your mental health. A toxic partner will not only make you feel bad about yourself, but they will also try to convince their significant other that they’re better than them in some way. This can be done by doing things like belittling their accomplishments or making fun of them in front of others (even friends).
- They are manipulative and controlling.
If your partner is trying to control every aspect of your life, then this could be an indication that there is something wrong with the relationship–and it could even point towards abusive behavior if left unchecked!
Jealousy
Jealousy is a sign of insecurity and lack of trust, which can lead to controlling behavior.
It’s not a sign of love!
Your partner’s jealousy will affect you whether or not you’re at fault.
Jealousy is a common sign that your partner isn’t treating you well. It can be a sign of insecurity or controlling behavior, but it’s also possible that your partner has good reason to be jealous. In either case, it’s important to recognize how jealousy affects the relationship and take steps to address it–even if there’s nothing wrong with what you’re doing!
The best way to deal with jealousy in a relationship is by talking about the issue openly and honestly with each other. If one person feels jealous over something small (like sharing an umbrella), then maybe there are bigger problems at play–like communication issues or lack of trust–that need addressing before things get out of hand.
Controlling behavior
Controlling behavior is a major red flag, and it’s not normal for relationships. If someone you’re dating attempts to control every aspect of your life, including where you go and what you do, that’s a sign of toxic behavior. A healthy relationship has mutual trust between two partners–and if one person doesn’t trust the other, then it will eventually lead to abuse.
Controlling behavior can take many forms: telling you who your friends are; telling who they think are bad influences on you; monitoring all of your communications with other people (including family members); dictating where and when you should spend time with them; insisting on knowing everyone else in the room before letting them talk with each other; making all decisions without consulting their partner (even something as small as where they go out for dinner).
If your partner is controlling, it might mean they don’t trust you and want to monitor your every move.
If your partner is controlling, it might mean they don’t trust you and want to monitor your every move.
If your partner is controlling, it might mean they don’t trust you and want to monitor your every move. They may be jealous of the time you spend with friends or family members and insist on knowing where you are at all times. In extreme cases, this can lead to stalking behavior–a red flag that should not be ignored!
Isolation from friends and family
If you’re in a relationship and your partner is isolating you from your friends and family, that’s a red flag.
Isolation from friends and family is never okay. If someone is attempting to isolate you from those who love and care about you, they are likely doing so because they want control over your life. It can be easy for someone who loves us to take advantage of our trust–and when this happens as part of an abusive relationship, it’s even more difficult for us to see through their actions.
Isolation may start out subtle: maybe they don’t want anyone but themselves around when they’re together; maybe they tell people not to call or text too often because “it bothers” them (or even worse–because “she doesn’t need friends”). But if these behaviors persist over time without any change in circumstances (like moving away together), then it’s time for serious concern!
It’s important to recognize signs of a failing relationship so that you can make the decision to leave before things get worse.
It’s important to recognize signs of a failing relationship so that you can make the decision to leave before things get worse. If you’re in an emotionally abusive relationship, it’s best to end things before they get even more out of control. Here are some red flags that may indicate a failing relationship:
- Your partner becomes violent or threatens violence
- You feel unsafe around your partner, especially if he/she has an anger management problem or substance use disorder
- Your partner blames others for his/her own problems and refuses to take responsibility for his/her actions (this is known as “victim mentality”)
Conclusion
The bottom line is that there are many different kinds of toxic relationships, and one size does not fit all. The best thing you can do is pay attention to your gut instincts and take action before things get out of control. If your partner displays any of these signs, don’t ignore them; instead, seek help from someone who can offer guidance on how best to proceed with leaving safely.