Some warning signs of abuse in a relationship goes beyond physical violence and may be regarded as normal behaviour. That is wrong. Relationship experts have identified four additional types of abusive behaviour: constant criticism, being defensive, showing disrespect, etc.
There are numerous hidden habits within these categories that can be toxic. The good news is that there are many ways to fix problematic patterns and strengthen relationships. Unless there is violence, of course. Professionals agree that this is always a reason to end the relationship and seek professional help.
If you engage in any of the following five behaviours, you are the toxic partner.
- You never take the blame.
The harsh reality is that if you keep having the same problems with different partners, the problem may be you. According to marriage and family therapist Jessica Wade, accepting blame is important, and it’s not fair to blame your partner for everything that’s wrong in your relationship.
2. You tend to say things that you “don’t mean.”
Anger often leads to unrecoverable slips of the tongue. Saying phrases like “You’re crazy” and “What’s wrong with you?” creates hostile environments. Most of the time, these kinds of problems start with people acting impulsively.
If you want to avoid passive aggression, check the facts of what you are reacting to rather than assuming you know what is going on.
3. Your opinion is the only acceptable one
Refusing to acknowledge one’s partner’s contribution is an additional common behaviour that may damage a relationship. This goes beyond simple stubbornness and can be harmful if your partner doesn’t feel their opinions are valued. Thankfully, this is something that can be worked around by simply making an effort to listen carefully to what the other person is saying.
4. You’ve been deliberately harsh on your partner.
Ignoring a partner or refusing to have sexual relations with them because of a minor offence are both signs of manipulation, despite how harmless they may seem at first. You could be trying to communicate something, but there is a more effective way to do so.
5. You slap people “harmlessly” when arguing.
In a 2010 report, the CDC defined physical violence as “slapping, pushing, or shoving.” According to those criteria, over five million men have reported being victims of partner abuse in the previous year.
There’s a fine line between a harmless slap and something much more serious, and crossing it is never okay. It’s probably best to take a step back from the relationship and talk to a professional counsellor if “harmless slapping” is a regular occurrence in your relationship. The first step in correcting these behaviours is realising they exist.
Don’t miss out! Get your daily dose of Entertainment news and more straight to your phone. Join Ghana Street Journal Whatsapp channel now!
