Relationships shape our lives far more than we often realise. They influence our mood, our self-image, our sense of wellbeing, and even our mental and physical health. But not all relationships are healthy. Some bonds, instead of supporting and helping us grow, slowly wear us down.
Toxic relationships rarely reveal their true nature right away. Sometimes they enter quietly, making us feel loved and understood at first, only to slowly shift, undermining our self-esteem, increasing stress levels, and even affecting our physical health with symptoms such as insomnia, changes in appetite, or various forms of somatisation (Cornell et al., 2021). Yet, despite the evident impact, toxic relationships often go unrecognised and can affect our lives for a very long time.
What Is a Toxic Relationship?
It’s not about the occasional argument or everyday relationship struggles, those are part of any partnership. A relationship becomes toxic when a repeated pattern of disrespect, manipulation, and emotional harm takes hold, ultimately damaging the psychological wellbeing of the person involved (Kinkead, Heywood & Vázquez, 2025).
How Toxicity Manifests
Certain behaviours tend to recur: feeling constantly devalued or unsupported, getting caught in endless arguments that resolve nothing, facing relentless criticism over minor issues, or being manipulated through guilt and lies. In some cases, a partner may try to control friendships, activities, even thoughts and decisions, limiting the other person’s freedom (Martin & Grosz, 2024). Other common signs include unjustified jealousy and suspicion, social isolation, and egocentricity where one partner always puts themselves first, disregarding the other’s needs (ibid., 2024).
