The signs of an unhealthy relationship are not too hard to notice; many of us don’t pay attention to them or ignore them because we are obsessed with that person.
Loving someone very much doesn’t mean you should stay in that unhealthy relationship. If they love you as much as you love them, they should make the relationship healthy.
Many people are in unhealthy relationships, and they remain there, hoping things will eventually change one day. You should give it your best to see if it works out, but if it doesn’t, move on. Don’t stay in such a relationship thinking things will get better one day.
Being in a healthy relationship is something everyone desires. You feel peace, joy, happiness, and fulfillment even if you both don’t have much.
It doesn’t mean you won’t have quarrels or challenges facing the relationship, but you sort them out on time, and your partner understands you as much as you understand them.
It is better to be single than be in an unhealthy relationship. Unhealthy relationships are said to affect one’s health, happiness, and well-being. According to research, most of the abuse in unhealthy relationships is experienced by females.
If an unhealthy relationship is not well taken care of, abuse may set in, and it could become a toxic relationship. Sometimes, the signs that you are in an unhealthy relationship are subtle, making it difficult to find out.
7 Signs That You Are in an Unhealthy Relationship
Are you confused about whether you are in an abusive relationship or not? Do you feel you are in an unhealthy relationship but need clarity?
Here are some signs that you are in an unhealthy relationship:
1. A Party Wants To Be in Control and Impose Decisions
Control is no doubt a major sign of an Unhealthy relationship. A party makes all decisions without consulting the other and tells the other party what to do.
Any gender can facilitate this, but men are likely to do this because they love being in control. Of course, there can be two leaders in a relationship; it won’t end well. However, being the head doesn’t mean you should take control over everything and enforce your decisions.
You should listen to what your partner has to say, consider their options and go for the best. If your partner has a better opinion, is there a crime in going with their opinion? When your partner doesn’t consider your opinion and enforces theirs alone, it may be a sign of an unhealthy relationship.
And also, if you are in a relationship where a party wants to take control of everything and enforce their decisions, it’s a sign that you are in an unhealthy relationship.
2. The Relationship is Dominated By Fear
A relationship dominated by fear is an unhealthy one. Your relationship should be the last thing that scares you. If a party does things to instill fear, it’s a sign that you are in an unhealthy relationship.
Your relationship shouldn’t be like the military regime. You should be free to speak and act. You are to respect your partner and not fear them. A relationship or marriage built on fear is not a healthy one.
If you are in such a relationship, you should quit. You deserve to enjoy your relationship and not live in fear.
3. Your Personal Growth is Affected
If you are in a relationship where your growth is affected, and you are sacrificing your happiness, the chances are high that you are in an unhealthy relationship.
You don’t need to sacrifice your joy and happiness in a healthy relationship. You shouldn’t remain in a relationship that takes away your joy; what’s the point of being in a relationship?
We are not saying there won’t be setbacks or relationship issues that might bring tears to your face, but it shouldn’t be every time.
Relationships are meant to be enjoyed and not endured. In healthy relationships, the rate at which you grow increases because you are with the right partner.
4. They Put The Blame on You Every time.
If you are in a relationship where your significant other doesn’t take responsibility but puts the blame on you, it is a sign that you are in an unhealthy relationship.
They don’t believe they are at fault; you’re the one who takes the blame for their mistakes. You spend a lot of time defending yourself or making them understand you, but they are not just ready.
All they want to hear is you admitting it was your fault. If you are experiencing this, you might be in an unhealthy relationship.
5. You Argue Every Time
Do you notice that the arguments are getting unbearable? you fight more often on little things that aren’t worth it? Are you having tough arguments that make things go out of hand?
If you are experiencing these, you are probably a sign of an unhealthy relationship. Regardless of how hard you try to avoid arguments and conflicts, it keeps happening.
It is normal to argue with your partner but not if it is becoming too frequent. If this is not well dealt with, it could lead to physical violence, especially when a party feels superior to the other.
6. They Belittle You
This occurs when your significant other says things that make you feel bad about yourself. They could call you bad names or pass bad remarks about people around you.
This could cause low self-esteem as they make you lose confidence in your ability. If you experience this in your relationship, it is a sign of an Unhealthy Relationship. They make hurting jokes about you even in the presence of other people and don’t care how you feel.
In a healthy one, your partner pushes you to be the best and encourages you when you are down. When you think you are not capable of doing something, they inspire you and tell you you’re stronger than you think. This (healthy relationship) is the type of relationship you should be in.
7. Possessiveness
This is the aftermath of unhealthy jealousy. When someone gets too jealous and doesn’t see it as an issue, it may lead to possessiveness. They want to be in control of everything that concerns your life; they want to know who you chat with, who you meet, who you work with, how you spend your time, and who you spend it with.
Your partner keeps tabs on you every time. They call you anytime and ask where you are. They would make a video call to confirm if you are not lying; these are signs of an unhealthy relationship.
When you hang out with other people, especially the opposite gender, your significant other gets angry and feels threatened by that person’s presence. They stop you from going out with friends, even your intimate ones! There’s no sign of an unhealthy relationship greater than this!
If you defy the order, they accuse you of being unfaithful. You might see this as overprotectiveness, but it’s a sign of an unhealthy relationship.
8. They Keep You Away From Your Acquaintances
If someone stops you from meeting your friends, colleagues, and even family members, it is a clear sign of an unhealthy relationship. At first, you will think they want you to spend more time together.
You will later discover that things are getting out of hand when they give you a list of people they don’t want to see you with. They isolate you from these sets of people who might have played a major role in your life.
9. Poor Communication
This is when both parties decide not to talk about the things affecting the relationship. They both know things are not going well but are avoiding that conversation.
In healthy relationships, issues affecting the relationship are discussed; that’s the only way they can be solved. If couples are not talking about their concerns because they are scared of the relationship ending, it could be a sign of an unhealthy relationship. Facing that fear is hard, but it’s your best bet at resolving the dispute.
What Are The Effects of an Unhealthy Relationship?
Unhealthy relationships have several effects on victims. Unhealthy relationships can make one lose one’s confidence and self-worth and lead to low self-esteem.
It can become a source of chronic stress for some victims and can cause disrupted sleep, digestive issues, and others.
Final Words
Unhealthy relationships are not worth it, and if you are in one, it is best you quit. This is because unhealthy relationships go beyond the present; it affects the future. If you stay too long in an unhealthy relationship, it will affect your future relationships.
However, if you quickly notice signs of unhealthy relationships, work on them immediately, you and your partner can’t find a way around it. You can decide to start over the relationship with that same partner. If it has eaten deep and can’t be corrected, you should leave.
Aside from the psychological effects, unhealthy relationships have on victims, it also has medical effects like depression, heart attack, and stroke.
Your well-being should be a priority, and you should choose that over any relationship. Have you ever been in an unhealthy relationship? How did you find out? Have you ever dated an overprotective partner? Please don’t hesitate to share your experience with us; others could learn from them.
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