The Top Signs You Are Dealing with an Unhealthy Relationship

There is no class when you are growing up that teaches you to be a decent partner. While you may learn the biology of sex, the legal aspects of marriage, and even read a few obscure love stories, this does not provide an actual picture of how to be good to someone else when in a relationship.

While some people can gather this information from their parents and other adults in their life, this is not the case for everyone. Unfortunately, this is what leads to toxic people and toxic relationships.

Sometimes, the signs of a toxic relationship are clear, but they can also be subtle and hard to detect. Knowing what to look for is the best way to determine if it is time to take a step back or make a move. Some of the top signs of a toxic relationship can be found here.

There's a Scorecard

When someone keeps score, it means they will continue blaming you for past mistakes you made. If both people begin to do this, you will develop a type of "relationship scorecard." This essentially turns your entire relationships into a battle to see who has made the most mistakes and who is more indebted to the other.

When this happens, you use guilt and bitterness from the past to try and manipulate your partner in the present. This is an ongoing cycle and something that will lead to serious issues for anyone, regardless of how long you have been together.

Passive Aggressive Behavior

Rather than saying something out loud and upfront, one person in your relationship tries to nudge someone in the right direction to figure out what they are thinking or what they want. Rather than saying what is upsetting you, you find small and often petty ways to make the other person mad. When this happens, you feel justified when you complain to them.

If this happens, it means there are serious communication issues in your relationship. If you cannot improve communication, your relationship is doomed to fail.

Holding Your Relationship Hostage

When one of you has a simple complaint or criticism and tries to blackmail the other by threatening the relationship's commitment, this is not a good sign. If you hold your relationship hostage, it is not good for anyone and will create many unnecessary drama.

How to Handle Toxic Relationships

When it comes to a toxic relationship, there are many factors to consider. However, one of the most important things is to take steps to change. If you are a problem, you have to find a way to improve the situation. If the other person is the problem, the only option may be to leave – after all, it is impossible to change someone who does not want to change.

By taking the right steps and seeking professional help, you can overcome the issues related to a toxic relationship and finally enjoy the way love is supposed to be.