Relationships are challenging and require a great deal of effort, mutual respect, and love to be successful. If the relationship dynamic is balanced and the individuals involved are emotionally healthy, this recipe can result in a lengthy and happy union. However, there are relationship dynamics that are inherently flawed and unbalanced, due to issues in the individual partners including addictions and/or abusive behaviors. If one partner behaves badly and the other is constantly tolerating this behavior and even seeking to prevent consequence on the partner committing the destructive act, an unhealthy pattern of relating is set that can serve to perpetuate the problem behavior. Here are 4 signs you might be putting up with too much in your relationship:

1.       You conceal or make excuse for the damaging or hurtful acts of your partner. This may be driven by a sense of responsibility to your partner’s reputation, and/or you might feel a sense of shame that others would know what kind of treatment you are putting up with.

2.      You make the bad behavior of your partner out to be less damaging or serious than it is. You may consider thoughts like, “At least he isn’t doing _____.” Yet this is like comparing two accidents. In one you may only need stitches and surgery, in the other you become a paralytic. Yes, one may become worse than the other, but it doesn’t mean either are desirable.

3.      You feel strongly that you can’t live without your partner. Because of this, you drop ultimatums, avoid confrontation, or otherwise sacrifice dealing with issues for fear you will risk losing the relationship. In this case, you might feel as if this unhealthy relationship is still better than none.

4.      You also think your partner might not be able to manage without you. You take on responsibility or guilt for what your partner might do if left to her or her own devices, and this keeps you from leaving. It could be more comfortable for you to be in an unequal relationship where you do all the giving, rather than one more equally based.  

By the way, what is holding you back from making the best choices to achieve the life you deserve?

For a free copy of my ebook, “Strategies For Escaping Emotional Abuse”, click here: http://www.stoptoxicrelationships.com/gifts-strategiesforescapingemotionalabuse.html

Shannon Cook is a personal coach and resource guide who has written a number of informative articles and ebooks on the topic of toxic relationships and “difficult” divorces, including the physical, emotional, practical and relationship components.

Related posts:

  1. How To Tell If You Are In A Toxic Relationship
  2. Working On Your Self Esteem After Relationship
  3. Obsessive About Your Relationship
  4. How To Tell If You’re In A Toxic Relationship
  5. Relationship With Ex Boyfriend

Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!