The #1 Question That Will Tell You if Your Relationship is Toxic

Do you know the one question to ask yourself to tell if your relationship is toxic? Lynn Catalano, attorney, author & narcissistic abuse recovery coach shares how to tell if you ar ein a toxic relationship and what you should do.

I know it’s hard to see any negative signs when you’re in a new relationship. It’s all moonlight and roses. But then as things progress, it’s important to take stock. Communication is the absolute foundation to a healthy relationship.

If you’re not sure just ask yourself:

“Do you feel comfortable telling your partner when they’ve hurt your feelings?”

If you answered yes, your relationship is good. If you answered no, your relationship is toxic.

Can you communicate honestly, transparently, showing vulnerability? It’s really quite simple. If the answer is no, you do not have a healthy relationship.

I know the term “toxic” has become a regular adjective in our vernacular and gets bandied around easily. But if you can’t communicate honestly with your partner or your friend – it sounds like it may be toxic.

All relationships are different and have their own challenges. But it is important to remind yourself that you deserve to have a relationship where you feel healthy, supported, and happy. You deserve to have relationships with people who support you and your interests.

Indications Can be Subtle

It’s easy to just pronounce the relationship as toxic but not likely for you to recognize it early on. Feeling like you can’t speak with or voice concerns to your significant other is another sign that something just isn’t right.

The indications can be so subtle that you get conditioned to accept it and then you feel genuinely paralyzed by it as you’ve gotten used to it.

Keys to a Good Relationship

Communication, vulnerability, and transparency are key to a good relationship. Vulnerability is actually a superpower. You see, when you can actively communicate and trust the other person completely, you can truly be vulnerable. I believe that uncomfortable conversations, where we show our vulnerability, are where relationships really grow and change. Through my experience both as a survivor of narcissistic abuseNarcissistic Abuse is a form of emotional abuse projected by a narcissist on to another individual, Although narcissistic abuse More and as a narcissistic abuseNarcissistic Abuse is a form of emotional abuse projected by a narcissist on to another individual, Although narcissistic abuse More recovery coach, I’ve developed my own 10 red flags of a toxic relationship and the 10 green flags to look for in a healthy relationship.

If you’re reluctant to share your feelings with your partner, this could be a sign you feel like you don’t matter or your feelings are unimportant. This isn’t good. If you’re afraid to express your feelings because you don’t know if your partner might react in a volatile manner, this is really concerning and may be a sign of an abusive relationship.

Love Shouldn’t Hurt

Relationships are challenging. But love shouldn’t hurt. You should be confident in your ability to express your feelings openly and transparently to your partner, friend or parent.

People who suffer from narcissistic personality disorder (NPD)Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) The hallmarks of narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) are grandiosity, a lack of empathy for other people, and More do not communicate well or sometimes at all. When you’re in a relationship with someone who has a cluster BCluster B Personality Disorders are characterized by dramatic, overly emotional, or unpredictable thinking or behavior. They More personality disorder (such as NPD), you are more likely to have a toxic relationship as they are already sensitive to negative emotions.

This is why it’s critical to talk to someone about what you’ve experienced.

This is why it’s so important to talk to someone after you’ve suffered this type of abuse. But not just anyone. You need to find someone who’s familiar with narcissistic personality disorderNarcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) The hallmarks of narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) are grandiosity, a lack of empathy for other people, and More. You see, I didn’t get here by accident. I didn’t set out to become a narcissistic abuse recovery coach.

But after I’d suffered this kind of abuse, I realized that my story and my experience could help so many people who’ve suffered similarly. When someone tells me about their struggles and their story, I’m not just understanding. I really get it. I’ve been there. I’ve felt those same emotions, that same rage, and loss.

I can help you.

It is critical to recognize the signs of narcissistic abuseNarcissistic Abuse is a form of emotional abuse projected by a narcissist on to another individual, Although narcissistic abuse More, as it can have long-term effects on your emotional, mental, and physical health. The narcissistic abuseNarcissistic Abuse is a form of emotional abuse projected by a narcissist on to another individual, Although narcissistic abuse More cycle typically involves a period of love-bombing, where the narcissist showers you with attention and affection, followed by devaluationGradually, the target begins to see bright red flags that indicate a problem in this More, where they criticize and belittle you. This cycle can repeat itself over and over again, leading to feelings of confusion and self-doubt.

Healing is an opportunity.

I’d love to speak with you. Click here to book a free session with me.

One of the best gifts you can give yourself is to learn the benchmarks of healthy relationships. I can help you learn how to resist your attraction to toxic people.

You are the most important project you’ll ever work on. It’s time to invest in yourself the way you’ve invest in everyone else. Let’s start now.

I’ve had discovery calls with so many people who need help with this type of toxic relationship and resulting abuse but have been decimated financially. They have been left with little to recover and begin to heal. I’ve developed courses that take away the financial obstacles of working with a narcissistic abuseNarcissistic Abuse is a form of emotional abuse projected by a narcissist on to another individual, Although narcissistic abuse More recovery coach one-on-one while still giving you the clarity, validation, and strategies to begin your recovery. Both courses are value-packed, self-driven, videos on demand to get you on the right path.

Subscribe to my YouTube channel to access all my videos here.

You can find my book “Wrecking Ball Relationships” on Amazon, BarnesandNoble.com, and lynncatalano.com.

If you’re looking for my Top 10 Answers to your Top 10 Questions about Narcissists, just go here.

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