Social relationships are considered one of the most important factors for maintaining an individual's psychological and health balance and regulating their emotions. However, exposure to toxic relationships, characterized by emotional manipulation and emotional neglect, negatively affects mental health and may cause multiple psychological disorders.
What are Toxic Relationships?
Toxic relationships are human relationships defined by one party controlling the other through constant insult, excessive jealousy, or manipulation. This causes the other party to feel frustrated and lack self-confidence, and may lead to psychological disorders.
Clear Signs of a Toxic Relationship
The signs are numerous, including:
- Excessive control and persistent attempts to dominate actions and decisions in the relationship.
- Constant criticism in a biting or humiliating manner.
- Lack of appreciation or display of respect for the other party.
- Emotional drain through intense jealousy and emotional neglect.
The Impact of Toxic Relationships on Mental State
Toxic relationships cause a clear effect on the mental state, such as:
- Suffering from depression or severe anxiety and stress.
- Some people show symptoms similar to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Fear of loss and rejection.
- Weak or non-existent self-confidence and a constant feeling of worthlessness or incompetence.
- Deterioration of social relationships, even family ones.
- Withdrawal from gatherings.
Do Toxic Relationships Cause Depression?
In the long term, toxic relationships cause disruptions in an individual's psychological and emotional balance, which may persist for a long time, leading to psychological disorders like depression and persistent anxiety.
This is because emotional disturbances cause an imbalance in the balance of neurotransmitters in the brain, such as serotonin and dopamine, leading to the emergence of depressive symptoms. It also causes a loss of interest in external life and a tendency towards isolation.
Steps to Recover from a Toxic Relationship
Here are some therapeutic stages recommended by mental health experts to improve psychological state:
- Acknowledging the existence of a harmful, toxic relationship is the beginning of liberation from it.
- Cutting off this relationship and staying completely away from the harmful person.
- Seeking psychological support from close people or mental health specialists.
- Resorting to cognitive-behavioral therapy if necessary.
- Rebuilding self-confidence.
- Paying attention to physical activities and physical health.
The Importance of Psychological Support in Treatment
Psychological support is one of the most important elements for recovery from toxic relationships, as it helps restore self-confidence and rebuild emotional stability. This is because traumatic experiences cause deep inner scars that are difficult to recover from.
Tips to Avoid Entering Toxic Relationships
To prevent toxic relationships, it is recommended to follow these tips:
- Setting healthy boundaries in relationships.
- Avoiding rushing into commitments to prevent emotional drain.
- Distinguishing between attachment and love.
- Enhancing self-awareness.
- Noticing early warning signs.
- Maintaining social and psychological stability and having a balanced life outside the relationship.
Frequently Asked Questions about Toxic Relationships
Can a toxic relationship turn into a healthy one?
In most cases, it is difficult to change the thinking and behaviors of the abusive party, therefore turning the relationship into a healthy one is a difficult task.
Why do some people find it difficult to get rid of a toxic relationship?
Because the relationship alternates between kindness and harm, causing psychological confusion for the other party.
Article Summary
Toxic relationships are among the most dangerous relationships for mental and physical health because they cause chronic stress and disruption in brain chemistry. This increases the likelihood of depression and anxiety and may cause sleep disorders. However, recognizing the relationship early on helps in getting rid of it more easily.