Signs of an Unhealthy Relationship

Are you in an abusive relationship? What are some of the signs of an unhealthy relationship? While a great relationship can complete you, an unhealthy one can sap your energy and leave you feeling drained. Although an unhealthy relationship can often be improved, some of the more serious symptoms may be reasons to break up.

One sign that the relationship is unhealthy is physical abuse. Although abuse is often obvious to those who know the couple, many times the person being abused does not recognize it for what it is. Physical abuse includes anything that causes physical pain, such as hitting, slapping, or pushing.

Verbal abuse is often more common in relationships, and more often tolerated. Constant belittling and insulting or making you feel less than you are can indicate an unhealthy relationship.

Less obvious signs of an unhealthy relationship include an unwillingness to give or concede. In a healthy relationship, both partners are willing to sometimes not have things go their own way. The ability to defer to another person is a mark of maturity and is important not just in a dating or marriage relationship. Selflessness is also valuable for keeping friendships alive.

Manipulation is a similar sign of an unhealthy relationship. Instead of forcing you to do want they want, your partner will try to get you go along with them by convincing you that it is what you want. This does not mean that one partner should always allow the other to run over them. Someone who cannot ever defer to a partner should not be in a relationship.

It’s often best to talk to a friend, to get a second opinion about the relationship. If this friend knows you both, they can often give you an accurate assessment of the relationship and help you determine your best course of action.