Impact of Toxic Relationships on Health
Ello Wonderful Mates!! Obs here!!
Most of the times, we talk about unhealthy relationships. But hardly recognize toxic relationships and how they impact our lives. As per researches, it suggests that toxic relationships can affect your health. Physically, Mentally or Emotionally. In long run, it will have adverse affect on health.
You may be hoping that all will turn for good and settling down with false hope, trust, expectations may turn bad for your health. Because as you proceed and these feelings remain unexpressed and hidden inside could lead to anxiety or depression?? Or maybe in long run, it could lead to other mental illnesses?? So, if you thin you are in a wrong relationship or unhealthy, then also have a thought about your mind and body too.
Sometimes even if you are in relationship, you feel unwanted, unloved from your partner and it feels like you are cazy alone for this relation. In initial stages of relationship, most of us ignore the red flags or offences considering that it is just start and all will be okay soon. But, ignoring those red flags can encourage your partner to control you more according to their wish. And, then you feel like you have no self-esteem left. You feel unconfident and unsure about whatever you think or do. And, could lead to have depressive episodes. I know right??
So, whatever you feeling is actually real. There is nothing like it is just start or you may be wrong. If it kept ignoring for long, it could take a toll on your mental and physical health.
Okay, so it may sound bad. But, if we accept the facts and us, then it is easier to think about precautions and cure timely. You'll have option to heal your body and mind before it becomes worse. One of the way is to safely exit from the relationship. You can try to build a strong social support network, like 7Cups?? Best is to sooner or later, move out if you able to.
So, What are your experiences? Share with us!!
I like how there's never actually help for toxic people. Born monsters, die monsters.
To me it really impacted my health. And honestly happy this thread is here because I never hear people talking about it!
After I broke up with my ex my panic attacks became pretty much daily. It developed to a panic disorder... and while in the relationship my anxiety was so bad that my body got IBS... Is a daily struggle to this day..
Now I'm getting professional help and I have a super supportive boyfriend. But after so long , like I mentioned, anxiety is frequent which affects my intimicy with my boyfriend and also any relationship I try having.
I became isolated, I can't look people in the eye, I have panic attacks in public if any guys are around me. I can't maintain friendships, I struggle talking to my family... So this said my ex really affected my physical and mental health.
So thank you again for this thread. Is important :)
@Booklover95
I can understand this Book. Toxic relationship have a bad impact on health. I am sorry to hear that you experienced it and glad that you improving with the help of therapist and second relationship. I know impact would be still in form of anxiety but I'm sure you will deal with it better. We all are here with you. 
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experiences on this with us. I am glad to know you liked it.
@ASilentObserver
thank you so much for your sweet words :)
I am doing my best to recover
@Booklover95
yay!! Book. Good to hear and appreciate your all awesome efforts toward it. Ever need my support, feel free to connect.
I remember my first relationship quite vividly. Though heart break is inevitable usually for the first relationship, I had high hopes that all would be well and therefore ignored many red flags. How could a person who claimed to love me so dearly ever hurt me in any way?
I stood by them through their emotional and mental abuse on me for 2 years. I remember during our brief breaks, I would go hypomanic and would be very self destructive. I often felt so used and abused when we were on our breaks. I felt like perishing. So, unfortunately, whenever they showed signs of improvement and when they promised to be be different, Id go back running. This only resulted in abuse again after a few weeks of them playing the act.
When I finally left the relationship for good I thought the weight off my shoulders would come immediately. That was not the case. The abuse had been going on for nearly 2 years. I turned to substance abuse and self destructive behavior once more.
As disheartening as this may all sound, I want whoever is reading to know that things did in fact get better! I seeked help via therapy and even found a psychiatrist. Today, I am married and expecting my first child with my loving spouse. Even though recovering from the destructiveness of my first relationship was immensely hard, I am proud to say I overcame it! Its been a good 3 years of being free of that toxic person. I am a stronger individual now.
@AmbientEuphoria
I'm sorry to hear about it Euphoria. Could understand how difficult phase it was for you. Agree with you that even after exiting from toxic relation, the impact not get fade away easily. It could take bit of time to overcome it if you have good social support system. I am glad you have your therapist and pyschatrist who helped you in overcoming from it. Happy to hear you happily married and expecting first child. Yay!! Congrats!! Hugs and best wishes. Stay blessed, happy and healthy. We all are here with you.
@AmbientEuphoria I am glad you got out and things are looking good for you every one deserves happi
@ASilentObserver This is all so true. While I may not have been in a toxic relationship, I am currently in an abusive one and I can't find a way to leave so I'm trying to make it better again. I got anxiety because of this relationship, now I'm too afraid to do anything. I've lost contact with all my friends and the few ones which I still have, I can't tell them anything because I feel like they might leave me as well. Not to mention, I have terrible self - esteem and no self - confidence left. I can't even go around boys properly anymore since I just start panicing when one comes to close, no matter how nice they are.
I know this isn't toxic relatioships but a abusive relationship could still be toxic if you ask me.
@Anj0921 I agree with you Anj. An abusive relation could be a toxic as well. I know how hard it is. I am sorry to hear how it imapcted your mental health. We all are here with you and you can do better. We all have faith in your abilities to overcome from this terrible episode. Hugs <3
We could try and take baby steps forward to deal with this and do better in own lives.
@ASilentObserver Yup, that's what I'm trying to do. I decided to give him another chance which may have been the wrong move on my part but I know he is a good person and I can help him be himself again. No matter what it takes.
I was with guy who ruined his own hopes and dreams by his own past mistakes. He admitted to this, but he also would not move on.
All he would do is complain about everything. He had a decent job, he seem to hate everything. He was cheated on and pushed all of his depression on me.
It made anxious, depressed, and miserable. Even now I'm afraid to date again.
@Rebekahwriter13
Aww Rebekah, em sorry to hear your experience. I can understand how miserable and terrible it feels. Sending virtual hugs. We all are here with you to support. We will overcome it and do better in life again. I know how hard it could be to date someone again considering past wounds. Probably we could take baby steps and see how things get better for us??
@ASilentObserver my problem is even though its over and I am not going back and he made me feel ugly inside and out. I do still hope he finds someone special to change his life for the better and get out his own past.
@Rebekahwriter13
Thats so kind of you Rebekah. And I hope you also find your someone special. <3 Best wishes
@ASilentObserver
Hugs.
@Rebekahwriter13
Hugs back. Reb
The long term impact of toxic relationships can be very draining. I know after I got sober and started counseling,I was still breaking away from these relationships and the effects they had on me.
@philosophicalShip9444
I can feel you Ship. The impact is not going to fade away easily. But, I appreciate your efforts to reach out to therapist and taking small steps to deal with its impact. We are here with you. Hugs <3
@ASilentObserver Thank you so much for your kind words and support :)
I am still struggling in a toxic relationship. We're not dating, but we used to. Basically, he cheated on me and tried to act like it was all a misunderstanding.
Then after I cut off contact with him for months, he came back and said he was sorry. I forgave him because I didn't want to stay bitter towards him forever. I wanted to forgive and move on.
But then he kept posting pictures of different girls on social media, saying how their boyfriends were lucky to have them, how much he loves them. I saw one of them and had a panic attack. It reminded me of the time I found out he was cheating on me. I couldn't breath.
Then his profiles says that he's in a relationship. I congratulated him, thinking that'd make it easier for me to move on and forget about him. But he refuses that he's actually in a relationship and claims he forgot to change it from a long time ago. ( I don't believe him ).
So I told him I needed to take a break from everything and wasn't going to talk to him. He said he understood and he'd always be there for me, which isn't true because whenever I've asked him for help, he just starts talking about himself.
Then I blocked him. I'm sorry for such a long rant. I'm just so exhausted from this. I feel so dumb for trusting him twice. I don't know how to break away from him.
@FranklyMaple,
Don"t worryi if it takes time to break away from him,be patient and stick to your guns,choose what brings you peace of mind and self-confidence.Practise self-care every day!Problematic people are like a drug for you,when you try to walk away from them,it feels like a withdrawal syndrome from coming off drugs.Very often they don't give you closure because they want to control you and prevent you from moving on with your life.Coose you and take care of you first!Hope this helps! :)
@intellectualCake2979
Thank you Cake! This does help! :)
@FranklyMaple,
Remember that song by S.Robinson "I don t like you but I love you,you' ve really got a hold on me" - this reminds me of a problematic relationship,you know it's not good for you but it's difficult to let go at the same time.Things haven't changed that much over the years I guess.
The guy i was with did nothing but complained. He had me feel bad about everything. He made me question myself. I felt like I had to be perfect around him. It made me over work myself, and I got sick easier.
I am glad I am away from him.
I know I am in a toxic relationship,last night I actually left he was calling me names that I can't even say,he tell me I'm stupid,then when I tell him to stop he says he didn't do any of that ,it's all in my head ,that I'm hearing voices,and that I'm nutty in the head,I did go back home today I can't afford a place on my own I have to save the money,it's not the first time for the verb abuse just the first time I have left for the whole night,but then he acts like nothing happens yes he does drink,when he's sober he don't say two words,but when he drinks he says anything I guess I just have to keep telling myself I am a good person til I can get out.
After the end of the relationship with my son"s father a few years ago,I am still afraid of dating or opening my heart to anyone.I think I don"t trust my own judgement and seem to think I will end in trouble.The previous relationship was problematic with him showing traits of a covert narcissist.How can I be sure that a guy who is flirting with me is not a toxic person.I know I should look for red flags but sometimes I cannot detach myself so much as to be objective.I try to observe e behaviour ,gestures,looks but ,while doing this,am I missing some red flags?I know I am supposed to trust .my instincts but still if I get mixed feelings,is that a red flag as well?I am even afraid to accept an offering of someone giving me a lift !Even. if I met the person more than a year ago.But at the same.time why would he wait a whole year to make a move?Everything seems like a red flag to me and even greater confusion ensues!Anybody who can. give an unbiased outside perspective?I appreciate your help!
@intellectualCake2979
I some way understand your fears. After seeing a negative pattern in my relationships. I spent a year or two learning about myself, my relationships and tried dating people I hadn't normally gone out with. Often the people we choose to see I believe are a reflection of ourselves and how we see ourselves. Relationships can be a mirror for our hopes and fears. Often two sides of the same coin.
Did this soul searching help? Well Yes I am stronger in my current relationship. And No I am still attracted to fiery impulsive behaviour which can be a struggle. It is better. I feel more secure in myself and able to more forgive myself and others.
I hope this helps...
@Pete82,
Thanks so much for sharing thoughts and experience,I have read artices and watched videos quite a lot for the past almost a year on problematic and healthy relationships,in theory I know quite a few facts,but when it comes to real -life situations I somehow panic,start fidgeting etc.which is acceptable for teenagers maybe,gong on a first date ,the point being here that I am not a teenager😊Still I get nervous when I think someone likes me,maybe I have not come to the point where I am healed enough to have confidence in my judgement of people's behaviour,I heard in a video that if a relationship makes you feel insecure,tense or anxious,it is not healthy,in a healthy relationship you should feel calm and nurtured,not stressed-out!Or maybe I am simply afraid I am going to lose my independence,I can't stand being treated as a possession,pushed into a corner,pressured with all kinds of expectations just because I am a woman and a mother,because other people expect me to be someone I am not and don't want to be!I back off the minute I feel someone is coming too close and wants to get to know me!
Anyways,I am glad you commented on my post,it's good to have one's feelings validated,I am happy for you that you are going through a better stage regarding relationships!Appreciate your time and effort!
@intellectualCake2979
Nice to hear from you. Sounds like you are already understanding yourself, what you want and relationships. Id be interested to hear what articles/ video/ authors you found invaluable.
I guess anything worthwhile we can feel insecure or anxious about. Being more open with others there is always a risk we will get hurt. Dating can be easier not having lots of expectations early on in a relationship, taking it slowly and from experience seeing signs of things that don't work. I found dating confusing and made me anxious at times. Dating is also a lot of fun :)
@Pete82,
Thanks for your post,just don't have a lot of time to write now but be in touch soon!:)
@Pete82,
You know,I heard this advice in some you tube videos,posted by guys trying to coach women how to spot mind games ,manipulative behaviour in men they are dating etc,so the general advice in almost all of them was "don't have too many expectations right from the start,take it slow,let it unfold naturally".Maybe this is one of the reasons for my indecision to start dating,I somehow give it all to the person I am with,expect 100% of loyalty,.mutual trust,sharing experiences,ideas,getting to know each other really close.I think I can scare away people because I come so intense and demanding,just my thoughts really.My list with things about the partner I would want to be will be quite long,I have a lot of things that are deal-breakers for me,so there you go,I come across as demanding and may be not realistic about men.But still I have had my share of bad experience,so this time I am determined I will not settle for crumbs!:)I also come across to people as cool or reserved but actually I just find it really hard to open to people,I am not comfortable expressing my emotions openly and I don't think it is necessary to do it.I like having my privacy and want to keep intimate relationships exactly this - private.
I am happy for you that you are doing better now,regarding relationships.Oh,one more thing I remember now about you saying dating can be fun.Maybe,but it can also be quite a waste of time if you do not meet the right people and get bored.I am just not into having superficial conversation with a stranger.
As for the things I have read or watched,I 'd be glad to share them with you!I have read most of Ross Rosenberg's book The Human Magnet Syndrome :Why we love people who hurt us",some stuff on narcissism and narcissistic behaviour,co-dependency issues and abusive relationships.I am also interested in studies about emotional intelligence,what it is versus IQ test results,enerally speaking a lot of stuff related to problematic,toxic behaviour.I really like a website called Thrive after Abuse.com.I visit it almost every day and listen to live streams or read people's stories.You can find some mind-blowing stories!I don''t keep a precise track of every article or video but I take notes from the ones I like best and re-read the most essential information.I also like watching videos by a woman whose nickname is InnerIntegration.Some amazing thoughts there,too!
Thanks again for your time and effort!Appreciate it!:)
