“ determining whether you are in a toxic relationship is not about checking off any number of red flags ,” says Piper .
“ It is more about whether you feel you are losing parts of yourself to keep the relationship alive and if your values are being compromised for someone else .” And if that ’ s the case , you have some options .
Piper says that if a relationship only works when you cannot be your truest self and it requires giving too much of yourself , then the relationship is likely not worth staying in . “ It is unhealthy to enter a relationship acknowledging that there are red flags , making excuses for the person you are in a relationship with , and just hoping they will change over time .” In this case , it may be best to completely go your separate ways .
If that feels like too much , you can also try couples therapy to help build and restore the relationship . And yes , you may be able to restore some toxic relationships with the help of a therapist or counsellor if there is shared effort to acknowledge wrongdoing or reasons for toxicity , says Piper .
But ultimately , at the core of any healthy relationship , there should be trust , honesty , and communication . And some characteristics are often irreconcilable , says Piper .
If you need help processing these feelings or revelations with a licensed professional by yourself , you can always download an app like TalkSpace , which is an online therapy option that connects you with mental health professionals and counsellors whenever you need . But remember , you deserve to be your truest , healthiest , best version of yourself in all of your relationships . Romantic ones especially …
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