Everyone is familiar with the term toxic relationship. You may know someone who is in one or you may be in one right now, blissfully unaware.
Whether it be through conversation, online, or in a class, the term is bound to come up at some point. When talking about these relationships, however, it is not commonly made evident that a toxic relationship may be between but is not limited to, two partners. The fact that these relationships are frequently seen in high school is often overlooked.
The toxicity of a relationship is based on the way the people involved are treating each other, not on what type of relationship they have. All relationships can have negative emotional, physical, or mental effects on a person and a lot of them share the same effects.
For example, a controlling partner can cause a person to act the same way as they would if they had an overprotective parent, constantly having someone on your back, checking on where you are and who you’re with and suspecting you of things that you may or may not be doing can really mess with a person’s stability because they begin to feel guilty of the accusations made against them even when they’re doing nothing wrong.
The jealousy and possessiveness expressed in a toxic relationship can become increasingly dangerous as time progresses. The effects can become harmful to one’s mind and sometimes even physically violent. A person who was once friendly and outgoing, can become insecure and antisocial. The once light-hearted person may become distrusting and bitter because of their own jealousy or the jealousy of their partner.
There are various types of toxic relationships that develop every day that go unnoticed because people tend to underestimate a situation. We think the people closest to us have nothing but good intentions for us or else they wouldn’t be around us, but that’s not always true.
It may seem unlikely for a person to find themselves in a toxic relationship at such a young age, but after conducting a survey of one hundred and eighteen students at Huntington Park High School, results showed that 37% of students surveyed have been in a toxic relationship.
Another 10% of those students were unsure and 2.5% said they are currently in one. This is extremely important to consider because so many people are affected by these relationships, even many of our classmates or friends.
The ones we value most can sometimes be the most toxic to us because of the fact that we wouldn’t even realize it if they were, we’d just allow it and pass it off as them loving or caring for us. Whether it be from a family member, friend, or partner, a person who makes you feel anything less than what you are or causes you to feel like you’re in a cage and stuck with them is not good for you and can be harmful to your mental and physical health.
Of course, it’s mind over matter, but when these feelings are caused by people that do matter to you, it’s harder to brush it off and not let it affect you. Since it mostly comes from the people closest to us, it is harder to realize what is happening and learn to let it go.
Rid yourself of all the toxic people in your life and realize that you deserve better. The best way to cut off a person who is toxic to you is quickly and completely.
It is important for you to understand that this person has already taken too much of your time and you shouldn’t give them more.
Cut off all contact with them and find ways to keep yourself distracted throughout the day to avoid feeling the need to run back to them.
If you’re the toxic person in a situation, the hardest part of changing would probably be accepting your wrongs and understanding why it is in your best interest to work on your flaws; you need to contemplate why you do the things you do and maybe even seek help because not only are you hurting others, but you hurt yourself as well.
Written by Guest Writer
Image Source: Life Counseling Solutions