What are toxic relationships like?

[brooker]

I think a younger friend of mine is in a toxic relationship, but maybe I need to know exactly what a toxic relationships is in order to guide her well.

[blunty]

Toxic relationships are like being caught in a storm that never seems to clear. It's like riding an emotional roller coaster, but not the thrilling kind – more like the kind that leaves your stomach in knots.

Imagine this: constant bickering, a lingering lack of trust, and conversations that feel like navigating a maze in the dark. It's like trying to dance but stepping on each other's toes more often than not.

In the worst cases, there's mind games and manipulation, making you question your own thoughts. And if there's any form of hurtful words or physical harm, that's a glaring sign things have gone way too far.

The loneliness intensifies when one person holds all the cards, making decisions without considering the other's feelings. Social life takes a hit too, with isolation becoming an unwelcome companion. Living through this feels like constantly running on empty, emotionally drained. But real relationships, the good ones, are built on trust, respect, and heartfelt conversations. If you've seen friends going through this, be that supportive friend to help them find a way out. Everyone deserves a chance at a healthier and happier life, right? xoxo

[Angxl3120]

I dated a toxic guy for a month before I broke up.

When I was 17 I met up with a guy and I liked him for a week before we started going out. The first week he was really good to me, then he just actually switched up his behavior. Pointing out everything, not talking out, became really controlling, made me wear revealing clothes for going out. He made me have sex with him and blackmailed me that if i dont he'll break up with me. And at that point I didn't have someone as close as him, so i went through it. He asked for my nudes and actually sent it to his friend, i lost feelings already then he asked me to actually suck his friend, i just broke up.

And he cried for a week to take him back and sweared he would change

[jcampbell115]

So then he treated you as a sex object. Sorry 😞

[Anonymous]

I had a toxic ex. I never felt more alive, the sex was amazing but it took its toll on me mentally and physically. One minute we'd be fighting and then we'd be having amazing sex waking up on the couch, me with a busted lip and black eye.

[loveslongnails]

It's like banging your head against a wall everyday to maintain a headache you think is normal. When the bruise gets bad enough, you may ask yourself:

*You: "why does my head always hurt, no matter what I do?"
Your friends: * " Do you realize you have a huge bruise on your head, and it's getting worse every day? "
You: " Oh, I didn't notice. I DO bang my head against the wall every day though."
Your friends: " Did it ever occur to you to STOP doing that because it gives you a headache, causes you pain, and makes you look and feel bad?"
You: "Well I guess I never thought about it ---- (OR) I sort of thought that, but I can't seem to stop"
Your friends and now hopefully YOU too: " You realize if you stop banging your head, the headaches should go away, the pain will stop, and hopefully the bruising will heal and there's no permanent damage?"

That's a toxic relationship. Unfortunately, if you engage long enough, there's always a scar.

[ProbablyClueless]

This is a fantastic explanation!

[loveslongnails]

@ProbablyClueless Thanks. It seems to get message across. LOL

[Naruse]

It depends. Toxic relationship is a pretty nebulous term that can be anything from being nagged too much to one in which both partners beat the ever living shit out of one another. Some people think it's just men who carry out such abuse but human beings are shitty so there are plenty of instances of weak men who are treated like actual dogshit by their significant other. I think it's rough as there's usually some overlap with mental health issues and often those in question do love each other but have such toxic coping mechanisms and social habits.

[DannyUk2017]

Toxic relationship=
Why didn't you take the trash out?, why you sit on the sofa and watch tv?, why you go out with the boys when i need you to go shopping?, is Your fault that i'm jobless, didn't made my nails, hair, etc.
Why there is no petrol in the car?
Who told you that you can talk with so, and so?
Why don't you take the dog out? Only me i have to do it... and the list gies, on and on, and on...🤦‍♂️

[Yannae]

Like a prison. A war zone. A minefield. I wasn't exactly in one but was around one and I learned a lot from it. I know what to watch out for.

It was the "I can fix her" meme. She was hostile towards anyone around her. Verbally and physically. Sometimes she'd apologize, sometimes she would not. It didn't matter. Her behavior would not change, but worsen instead.

[AmeerX]

It's toxic if one of the partner uses emotional blackmail, gets away with doing what she or he wants, is manipulative.

Things like this will happen,

"oh honey, now we are together, why are you complaining?"

"Babe, I'm very Open minded, can you please let me do this or that" but when it comes to your choice they don't let you have your way ever.

Extreme spending and financial burden is a red flag.

[dennyd89]

It's like imagine expermeicmeing every negative and every positive emotion all in one life experience as cliche as it sounds it does literally feel like an emotional rollercoaster.

[Twalli]

Neither is happy, but they feel like they must or should stay together even though the relationship is bad for both of them. It may be mentally or physically damaging one or both of them too.

[JosyJosy]

Like a headache that shouldn't be there but it is.

[Anonymous]

love bombing, guilt tripping, isolating you from your friends/family...

[OddBeMe]

Differ. But all end with you exhausted and feeling used.

[HaleyCatgirl]

Aren't you 43 shouldn't you know this lol

[jimmy2]

Pretty much like the pic

[Maddy2002_]

It’s like drowning.