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Jun 18, 2024 · Unhealthy relationships erode self-esteem and create anxiety or fear. Communication breaks down, leaving issues to pile up unresolved. A healthy relationship is built on love, mutual care, trust and respect between both partners. It allows each individual to feel supported while also pursuing.
- What Is The Difference Between A Healthy and An Unhealthy Relationship?
- Signs of An Unhealthy Relationship
- First Warning Signs of An Unhealthy Relationship
- The Impact of Unhealthy Relationships
- How to Fix An Unhealthy Relationship
- When to Leave An Unhealthy Relationship
- References
Healthy relationships are often built on a sense of support, reciprocal respect, and equality (Feeney and Collins, 2015). Both partners are able to openlycommunicatetheir needs, and they create opportunities to increase understanding of each other’s feelings to reinforce intimacy. Avoiding discussions of problems can generate misunderstandings and ...
Lack of support
In an unsupportive relationship, we might feel that our emotional needs are constantly missed or not attended to, increasing our sense of loneliness and leading to an accumulation of tension in the relationship (Feeney and Collins, 2015). The tendency to dismiss serious conversations might also indicate that our partner is unavailable to listen and feels uncomfortable dealing with problems that are left unresolved. Not asking questions to check on our mood, especially if we are going through...
Negative communication
Effective communication helps create a deeper connection with the partner and is one of the key elements for maintaining a healthy relationship (Preston Ni, 2014). If our partner is using frustrated language when talking to us, for example, by using statements such as “You always do this” or “You never take my side,” it can make us feel inadequate, as it highlights what is wrong instead of how things can be done better. Blaming each other for mistakes or adopting overly-critical language can...
Over-dependence
Over-dependence can arise when we are involved in a relationship characterized by low confidence and self-esteem (Bacon et al., 2020). We might constantly look for approval from our partners, considering their judgment more relevant than ours, and we struggle to make decisions independently. We might also have difficulty establishing healthy boundaries or making compromises that do not take our needs into account, as we fear rejection from the other person. Emotional dependency may also invol...
In an unhealthy relationship, we might feel uncomfortable sharing our true thoughts and emotions, either because we fear the other person’s reaction or because we failed to develop a sense of psychological security that allows us to confide in them (Anderson and Saunders, 2003). We also might feel like we need to walk on eggshells around our partne...
Suddenly, we tend to perceive our identity through the eyes of our partner, and our ego might have become more fragile as a result of insidious, longstanding negative patterns. We may also be more suspicious towards others, subconsciously fearing to receive the same treatment, and miss new opportunities to be accepted and loved. We tend to have sec...
Identify the problems
The first step towards building a healthier relationship is recognizing the problematic patterns that led to the point of disconnection from the partner. Specifically, we might want to focus on the ABCD – accusations, blame, criticism, and demands. At this stage, it is essential to be honest with each other when expressing problems and be open to having uncomfortable conversations, seeing them as an opportunity for growth in the relationship (Overall and McNulty, 2017). To be able to break th...
Take responsibility
Sometimes, problematic patterns do not involve one partner in isolation but emerge from a combination of both parties responding in a dysfunctional manner to each other. For this reason, reflecting on our role in escalating the problem is essential, as well as acknowledging it in front of our partner. We should also resist the impulse to blame our partner for triggering the problem, as this will elicit defensiveness from their side. One way to approach it is by saying, “I feel hurt when you d...
Practice healthy communication
When communicating, it is important tocarefully listento each other, paying close attention to the emotional needs our partner is conveying through their message (Overall and McNulty, 2017). It is particularly important to avoid sarcasm, minimizing issues, and interrupting, as this will demonstrate disinterest in what the other person has to say. Over-talking can also be a problem and discourage our partners from sharing their feelings. To maintain healthy communication in the longer term, we...
If we tried our best to change the relationship, but our partner does not seem as committed as us, it might be time to walk away from them. Ending the relationship should not be considered an egoistic act but the first step towards prioritizing our well-being (Anderson and Saunders, 2003). It will also allow us to invest more energy in nurturing he...
Anderson, D. K., & Saunders, D. G. (2003). Leaving an abusive partner: An empirical review of predictors, the process of leaving, and psychological well-being. Trauma, violence, & abuse, 4(2), 163-191. Bacon, I., McKay, E., Reynolds, F., & McIntyre, A. (2020). The lived experience of codependency: An interpretative phenomenological analysis. Intern...
Mar 29, 2023 · For a relationship to be healthy, it requires more than just shared interests and strong feelings for each other. It requires two people who truly understand and care for each other, while also caring for themselves. Here are the most important characteristics of a healthy relationship: 1.
Nov 9, 2023 · Unhealthy relationships can have a significant detrimental impact on your health, happiness, and overall well-being. The problem is that while some relationships are clearly toxic or even abusive, a lot of unhealthy relationship patterns can develop over time and be much more subtle.
- You’re not voicing your boundaries, needs, or feelings due to fear that your partner will leave, label you as demanding or needy, and/or, will “blow up” at you.
- Multiple friends or family have expressed genuine concern about your relationship and the impact it’s having on you.
- You feel a growing discomfort about the relationship but ignore it or rationalize it by telling yourself that all relationships are hard and take work or that you know the other person can change.
- You feel the need to hide or distort parts of your relationship when sharing with others due to fear of judgment and may even distance yourself from loved ones as a result.
Mar 9, 2022 · 1. You fear being alone and assume being with anyone is better than being alone. For many, the fear of being alone, and low self-worth, are powerful motivators for remaining in...
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Mar 3, 2021 · A Guide to Healthy Relationships (and How to Spot Unhealthy Ones) By Mary Jo DiLonardo. Medically reviewed by Ashley Matskevich, MD. Updated: Mar. 29, 2021. Personal connections and healthy relationships may help you lead a happier life. Here's how to recognize toxic behavior, and build strong, supportive relationships.
