Relationship Therapy
COVID-19 is forcing many of us to reexamine our relationships. Our social circles have narrowed, and we may find ourselves spending time with people who control us or make us feel bad about ourselves.
Some warning signs to look out for when it comes to toxic relationships include:
✨ Intensity
In a healthy relationship, trust builds gradually over time and is earned. If you find yourself sharing too much too soon, view it as a warning sign to take a step back and slow down.
✨ Manipulation
Lots of people believe they can spot when they are being manipulated, but manipulation can be more subtle than you might think. People might convince you to share their opinions or do things you don't want to do through clandestine means.
✨ Volatility
It's one thing to occasionally snap at people we care about, but another completely to consistently give disproportionately strong reactions to small problems or disagreements in a relationship. Volatility is an important warning sign to pay attention to, because it may escalate to physical violence.
✨ Isolation
If you have a friend, family member, or partner who is often jealous and tries to keep you from spending time with others, they may be trying to isolate you. In a healthy relationship, you should be able to spend time with other people without that person feeling threatened.
Toxic relationships have nothing to do with you and everything to do with how that person treats you (unless, of course, you are the toxic person in the relationship). It's more common to find yourself in a toxic relationship than you might think.
If you think you might be in a toxic relationship and are unsure how to end it, contact Life by Design Therapy to learn how our therapists can help you assert healthy boundaries.
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