Almost half of all marriages in the United States end in divorce. However, this does not mean that getting married is a bad idea. Every marriage, and indeed, every relationship will experience challenges in one form or another. The key is to identify issues as early as possible and address them before they become toxic.

Relationship expert Dr. Lillian Glass, described a toxic relationship as “any relationship [between people who] don’t support each other, where there’s conflict and one seeks to undermine the other, where there’s competition, where there’s disrespect and a lack of cohesiveness.” As you may have guessed, a toxic relationship produces more negative effects than positive ones and ultimately leads to one or both partners becoming mentally or emotionally drained. ReGain, a leading online therapy platform, offers insight on signs of disrespect in a relationship you should watch out for.

What Causes Bad Relationships?

People who repeatedly and consistently work against the best interests of their partner may have a reason for it. And although it is not an excuse, the reason may be subconscious. Individuals who tend to undermine their partner may have been raised in a toxic family environment where they developed unhealthy relationship skills. They may also have been abused as children or bullied in school.

Bad relationships may also be the result of a bad pairing. This means the two people in the relationship simply do not fit well together. For example, a relationship between two people with dominant, controlling personalities may have more battles than intimate moments. On the other hand, a person who has a very sensitive personality may find it difficult to be around a partner who is very sarcastic.

Even if there is some initial attraction, incompatible pairings are less likely to last for a long period of time. And even if they do, they are less likely to be happy relationships. If you are concerned about investing a lot of time and resources in a relationship that may not last, check to see whether or not you are experiencing common signs that predict future trouble in a relationship.

Signs Your Relationship May Be in Trouble

There are a number of signs that may indicate that your relationship is becoming toxic. Some of these signs are listed below:

• Your relationship is marked by acts of violence
• Verbal or emotional abuse is common
• One partner feels harassed by the other
• You have a persistent feeling of unhappiness
• You feel jealous when you see happy couples
• Your self-esteem has declined since you entered the relationship
• Your mental health is getting worse
• You usually feel uncomfortable when your partner is close by
• You believe you have to spend all your time with your partner and feel bad if you do something for yourself
• You are the one doing all the sacrificing in the relationship
• Your close friends and family members are concerned about your well-being should you stay in the relationship

What To Do If You Feel Stuck in a Bad Relationship

If you believe you are in physical danger, it is recommended that you contact the authorities immediately and privately. If you have experienced mental or emotional harm in your relationship, seeking therapy with a qualified mental health counselor may help. Some of the issues in a bad relationship may be fixable if you and your partner are willing to work with a licensed marriage and family therapist. However, do not be surprised if the best option for your long-term physical, mental, and emotional health is to end the relationship and walk away.

Image by Виктория Бородинова from Pixabay