Relationships play a significant role in our lives, contributing to our happiness and well-being. However, not all relationships are healthy or nurturing.
Unhealthy liaisons are characterised by and behaviours which can work negatively on our emotions and minds. It is essential to identify the early signs of an unhealthy relationship for preventing further harm – and also for our peace.
Arushi Gupta, Delhi-based counselling psychologist, says “Recognising the tensions and where they must be coming from is important for a relationship to either improve, or for a person to take a stand to move out of it.”
She adds that we often romanticise the number of compromises or sacrifices we are expected to make so that a relationship stays afloat.
“Behaviours such as these from one’s partner may result in making them feel isolated, let down, insecure whilst their emotional needs are being unmet,” adds Gupta.
Adjustment or compromise?
Moreover, she adds, these behaviours eventually become a vicious cycle in which a partner gets exploited, becomes submissive to the other, not realising that there is a stark difference between ‘adjustments’ and ‘unjust compromises’.
According to Gupta, some early indicators of an unhealthy relationship are:
Self-care above all
It is important to remember that every relationship has disagreements and challenges. However, when these signs become chronic and the relationship consistently makes you feel unhappy, unsafe, exploited or drained, then it is important to seek help and put your own well-being above all else.
“I always say that a relationship isn’t just 50-50, but two persons trying to make 100 per cent efforts from each of their sides. If one sees the other not making full efforts to make the relationship healthy and satisfying, one must communicate openly about it,” Gupta advises.
