4. Never Normalize Behavior That’s Abusive
This is especially vital if you’ve ever been in some kind of a toxic relationship for extended periods or were raised in a family that used words as weapons.
Certain people might have marginalized, demeaned, or dismissed you and other people around them and then justified their behavior by saying, “They’re just words,” refusing to admit that they were ever said, which is a form of gaslighting.
Or you could have come across people claiming that the real problem was you being sensitive. Being ignored is also considered toxic behavior of the silent variety. It’s clear to almost everyone that lying is toxic.
But so is speaking partial truths or a carefully edited interpretation of events. And then, once questioned, blaming you for not asking the correct questions. The bottom line is that verbal and emotional abuse is never OK and is considered toxic.
We hope you found this article helpful and informative. Make sure to let us know what you think in the comments section below.
And meanwhile, if you like this article, we also highly recommend reading: 12 Incredible Psychology Tips to Get You Out of Sticky Situations
11 Responses
thanks very helpful
Thank you
Wow this was really helpful, I think I’ve been in a whole lot of toxic relationships nearly most of my life, maybe I’m someone they feed off of? Anyway now I think I can steer clear of them better now!
So thank you! Sincerely!
Very interesting gave me something to really think about giving me some tools
This is fantastic information. It confirmed some things for me for my thesis.
My husband is a very toxic person. I always wanted to be right.
Speaking as one who grew up with it, you become desensitized after while. Always striving to get that positive reinforcement you so desperately want, only to get something finally positive followed directly by a negative. IE. “Gee that looks nice on you, but would have looked better on (someone else) and where are the white gloves?” Or “you’ll never amount to anything, you take after the bad side of the family” . So it was easy to fall into another Narcissist trap for my relationships. I have learned the hard way, RUN don’t walk away from these types of people. They are toxic. Unfortunately for me they are family. My deliverance – moving 300 miles away and only visiting once a year for a week.
Yes, I have a friend that has insulted me and my family for years YET, his family is wonderful. Well, I told him to stop taking his insecurity out on me and ended our friendship of 40 years. Not missing this toxic unhappy individual at all
Years ago I had toxic relatives basically Inlaw relatives, and I read a book about toxic people which was actually (I just can’t remember the name of it now) Very good at identifying and dealing with toxic individuals ( And I’ll just mention now that they have passed Show no longer in my life); at the time it wasn’t like I could totally avoid them and dealing with him in anyway only brought more toxic backlash. They were Very set in their ways and very manipulative as well, and being toxic was a part of their personality traits. I did like what you wrote here in your suggestions to keep in mind because there are always toxic people around.
Nearly all of the toxic people in my life are no longer in my life. This article is excellent (wish I had access to this information years ago). It is heart-warming and reassuring to see the posts to this article. I wish all of you a very good life from here out.
The very best thing you could do for your mental health is get out of a toxic relationship. I left my narcissistic ex-husband three years ago and have never felt better. You never realize how they drag you down in life, emotionally, spiritually, and even your body starts to ache just being around the toxicity. Break free my friends it’s the best feeling in the world.