Examples Of Toxic Relationships

Toxic relationships are those relationships that one or either of the partners know is unhealthy but somehow they just can't seem to improve them - or walk away. Every conversation seems to be fraught with conflict, criticism and even when things are running smoothly, one or both partners are on edge, wondering when the next argument will come.

There are many reasons for relationships being termed toxic. Toxic refers to the poisonous nature of the resentments, conversations, jibes or criticisms that are leveled by one or more of the partners. Overall, they arise when the partners are not fully taking responsibility for themselves. An attacking partner tends to want to control, influence or even bully the other person into doing things they want and they become angry, manipulative and spiteful when they can't get the other person to do as they wish. They may resent the other person for 'not making them happy' when, in reality, each of us is only responsible for our own happiness. The person feeling on the receiving end of toxic behaviour is also not taking responsibility for himself or herself. Somehow they either blame the other person for why they feel so unhappy, believing that the attacking partner is the reason they are experiencing so much discomfort. However, again …show more content…
No one wins in such a toxic environment and yet leaving or changing seems so difficult. Often, toxic relationships escalate from violent and angry words to actual physical abuse. A cycle of abuse and romantic or passionate reconciliation often occurs which make leaving even more difficult. A difficult dynamic results in which each person is chronically addicted to a toxic cycle of reinforced behaviour to stay and 'give it another go' because the abuse is equally or more greatly matched by passionate