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Why do I keep going back to my toxic relationship?

285 Answers
Last Updated: 05/13/2022 at 6:18pm
1 Tip to Feel Better
India
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Smita Joshi, BA Psychology / MA / Advanced EFT Practitioner

Counselor

I am empathetic with my Clients going through emotional overwhelm and passionate in helping them. I am supportive, openminded & interactive in helping my clients.

Top Rated Answers
ThankYouForLettingMeTryingToHelp
October 25th, 2019 8:38pm
Something addictive is something toxic, isn't it? There are many reasons why we cannot leave addictions behind: we "think" we need them to survive, our brain wants them desperately even when sometimes very deep inside us we know they are not good for us. In toxic relations, the addition is that the other person may keep making promises he/she will change but then does not. We get used to that relation, and since we are also intoxicated, we cannot accept a change. There are times when our toxic relations are a complement to our own toxicity, and our system will not allow a separation. Other times, we just keep there because we are afraid of the change.
Anonymous
March 13th, 2019 2:25am
From a psychological perspective, it is likely that your significant other in the relationship has manipulated you and changed the way that you think about yourself. This is a common abuse tactic because it can make you feel like you are worthless and need this other person in order to survive. This toxic relationship feels comfortable with you, even though you know it's toxic, simply because it is what you are used to. I would suggest going to therapy, as a therapist can help you to notice your unhealthy habits and change them. This is an important thing to do because you are especially likely to end up in another toxic relationship after having already been in one.
Anonymous
August 22nd, 2018 9:57pm
Sometimes we go back to a toxic relationship because we love the person dearly but also, sometimes we don't miss the relationship, we miss the routine or the connection and time we spend with a person. We may know that the relationship isn't good for us yet we keep going back because we feel like we need the person in our lives or you feel like you can't handle being without them. Once you learn to start having a new routine and spend time with different people, you will eventually be able to stop going back to that toxic relationship.
delicateZebra
June 30th, 2018 9:35am
Honestly you probably go back because they promise to change, they spend some time acting like the perfect person and makes you think they will change, You need some time out, you need to think about this before going back, how many times have you been back and how many times have you been hurt, I wont lie, it will hurt walking away however in the long run this will be good for you and you will realize you are worth so much more.
PianoWhisper
June 15th, 2018 2:29am
That's a valid feeling, because attachment is hard to break after a long period of time. Sometimes you'll feel like you owe them, or that you might not find anyone else, but believe me you will. There is so much more outside that toxicity, and we are here to help you on your journey to find it.
patientFriend96
April 26th, 2018 4:58am
It is hard to leave someone that you have developed feelings for. Most people go back to toxic relationships because they think 1.) I still love them and we need to try 2.) The other party still loves me and doesnt mean their actions and 3.) You are used to the abuse. You need to understand that this is not love, nothing will change, and you need to move on for yourself and your own happiness 😇😇😘
Anonymous
April 12th, 2018 5:21pm
You obviously think that it’s going to be different every time you go back and you enjoy the feeling you have when you’re with that person but it’s not healthy
HoneyBee92
February 7th, 2018 1:03pm
We believe that they will change if we continue to give them a second chance and things will turn out differently
Anonymous
December 17th, 2017 11:53am
Because we think they're going to change. We keep on hoping for a change. Also, we know that every bad person has also a good side. And we know their good site. And if you think about their good sites and maybe the most beautiful experiences with them, you keep on hoping to experience their good site once again.
Anonymous
March 3rd, 2017 12:59pm
Sometimes it is difficult for us to say no or get rid of someone who has been a major part of your lives or been there with us for quite a long time. Perhaps you've been with/around them for so long that you don't recall what it is like without them and when you are not with them you wonder what to do
funnyPanda57
April 14th, 2017 1:43pm
Because it is the relationship you have been used to. It is scary to finally go out and have new experiences. In the beginning it will be scary but over time you will see that it is worth the try
colorfulUnicorn23
April 23rd, 2017 5:44pm
I feel that we go back to toxic relationships because we like security and everyone is restrictive and avoids change, we feel the next is going to be worst so we stick to what we have . Furthermore the partner in a toxic relationship is often controlling thus we follow what they say its like being stuck in a web where you feel you cannot do without them
CaressingYourSoul92
October 17th, 2016 3:06pm
It is for you to realize if it is true love or dependance what makes you go back into it, however, the fact that you do acknowledge that this is a toxic relationship indicates that you can do something about that; it is hard to tell if a person can or is willing to change and nobody has the right to push someone into changing a behaviour, but you can always do something about yourself, and by some subtle means you could work both on yourself and the relationship, helping the other person indirectly as well.
Syedacity
December 29th, 2015 2:00am
You find the need for a relationship or someone to "love " you and you trick yourself into thinking it is right
Kat140615xx
September 18th, 2016 3:02pm
Because sometimes we feel alone and would rather be with someone than alone. and going back to someone who use to make you happy seems to be the answer, but does it make it right for you no, you need remember life is to short, there is bigger and brighter things out there ahead of you,
Anonymous
January 7th, 2017 12:24pm
There are many reasons, although fear and insecurity are the biggest two. When contemplating whether to leave a relationship or not, fear often kicks in. Questions surface like will I ever find love again? What if I end up alone forever? These questions ignite fear. Common fears include being alone, being single and not being able to find a someone who treats you well. These ideas create a spiral of negative and catastrophic thinking which makes it even more difficult to leave an unhealthy relationship. By recognizing that your relationship is toxic and no longer denying it, it is common to feel empowered to take action.
Anonymous
October 27th, 2016 7:02am
You could have a sense of lack of self worth and so you go back to the person that showed a variation of acceptance to your character.
Anonymous
February 17th, 2018 12:09pm
More often than not, a "relationship" gives us a feeling of satisfaction and belongingness. Depending on our appetite for these feelings, we choose to stay in a relationship even when we know that it's toxic and unhealthy. This is especially common if one doesn't have many satisfactory connections; so it becomes really tempting to hold on to a relationship even if it does more harm than good.
Anonymous
May 4th, 2018 5:46am
Sometime we get caught up in toxic relationships due to trauma bonding or codependentancy... we need to really take time to learn and understand what it is we are seeking or trying to get ... moving forward can be scary. Change is scary. Life is hard, however if we can at least be aware of trauma bonding and want change we can learn and change.
Serenittyy166
November 22nd, 2018 1:12am
I find that when I love someone I give chances time and time again because we fall in love with the idea of what could be and not what is. That’s a hard thing to accept for anyone. We all want this ideal image that we create for what could be that we accept the things we know we don’t deserve in front of us to try and get to that place without realizing that might never happen. Sometimes we accept what we think we deserve and put up with it instead of continuing to search for more, really .
Anonymous
May 4th, 2018 4:43pm
Because it's hard to move on from one person whom you've loved with all your heart as you werent aware of how the relationship would turn out to be but since you love them, you keep focusing on the good side of the relationship which makes you always go back even if it hurts you. Just like a moth and fire.
naturalNaturalNutella
January 6th, 2019 4:51am
Because you are a caring, considerate person, who likes to see the best in everything. You don't like to give up, especially on something you love so dearly. That's okay, because that shows resilience and loyalty, You don't run away when times get tough. The problem is that you're not showing this care and consideration to yourself, and if it's toxic, the other person isn't showing it to you, and possibly towards themselves too. They take your good nature for granted. They feel that you will always be there for them no matter what...until one day, you aren't. It isn't because you don't want to be, because once you love someone, that's it, you can't undo it. Its because you've reached your limit, you've given all that you could and now you're empty, and have little to give. Your tolerance levels waver, and soon it all becomes your fault because you allowed it before, and now you're not allowing it.
Anonymous
September 26th, 2020 9:31am
Maybe you miss the physical affection...but dont worry! That's okay, everyone's experienced that at least once. Try to forget them, burn pictures and delete chats and work on realizing how bad they really are... this will help you realize and keep yourself from getting hurt over and over... trust me I've been the same situation, I know how hard it must be... but dont worry you'll get trough this.. we can set up daily meetings and I can help you get through this step by step and day by day...if that's what you'd want of cours. :) How are you feeling ?
Anonymous
May 23rd, 2018 4:12am
I guess because is toxic and creates you a dependence. The best is trying to work on making your personality stronger and try to live a happy life on your own before being attached to a relationship.
TheHoneyDoll
September 24th, 2017 5:19am
I was in an abusive relationship for 3 years but kept constantly going back because I felt as though he was all I deserved and that maybe things could change and so on even if they never would. It is not uncommon but with time, realizations will eventually arise and you will learn to be without this person and see that there is better for you.
Hurricane67
June 3rd, 2018 5:34am
It’s probably because you are scared of change and want to live with something you are used to. Leaving a person would mean making a major change and your entire outlook on life could be affected, but normally change is a good and healthy thing. If you push yourself to explore your options then there would be so many benefits.
Anonymous
September 8th, 2018 10:03pm
Believe me I did this to. It’s mood because you’re a kind person and you want to be with the other. If you’re really in love with this person but it’s toxic maybe it’s time for you to leave or talking over with the other. How much trouble will go through and you will thank me later when you get out of that relationship don’t keep going back if it’s it’s toxic no matter what go back you need to stop immediately and go get real help or just follow my advice and leave the other
hailee17
June 17th, 2020 2:20am
Sometimes, you keep going back to a toxic relationship because you don't know what it's like for a relationship to not be toxic. You also convince yourself that maybe you deserve whatever is happening to you in the relationship. Or maybe it's the only way you can feel something and you end up mistaking the toxicity for love. It's completely valid. But please put yourself and your mental health first. You're not weak for going back to a toxic relationship. In fact, it shows your strength in being able to endure it over and over again. However, everyone has a breaking point. You need to critically analyse your relationships and attempt to make them healthier so no one gets hurt. And remember, even when you love each other, it's okay to let go if it becomes toxic, you won't be a bad person for doing so.
empathichelper
July 5th, 2018 10:58pm
You may go back because even though you know it’s bad, you remember the good and ignore the bad. Or you may just feel lonely and don’t want to be by yourself
Anonymous
November 23rd, 2017 11:56pm
because youre dumb and you cleary like your ass to be beat. And you like the dominance of guys choking your dumb ass out