9781422270912

1 Chapter

What Is Toxic Relationship Addiction?

The Value of Relationships A healthy relationship consists of lots of mutual support,

encouragement, and companionship that enriches a person’s life. However, some relationships are unhealthy and destructive to one or both people within the relationship. These relationships involve lots of “drama” and a lack of support, and they may also consist of emotional, verbal, or physical abuse. Simply put, these relationships are toxic. Relationships that are classified as toxic can make you feel bad about yourself. They can cause significant damage to your self-esteem and sense of self-worth. They can lead to anxiety and depression , and they can even cause post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). If you’ve ever seen someone change in a negative way due to being in a toxic relationship, then you’ve seen the kind of damage that toxic individuals leave in their wake. You may be wondering how or why someone could ever get into a relationship that leaves them feeling so badly. You may also wonder why they can’t seem to pull themselves out of it. To understand the dynamics behind toxic relationships, you first need to understand how and why we form relationships with people.

11