You Probably Don’t Realize These 15 Relationship Habits Are Highly Toxic

It’s not always easy to identify toxic behavior. But physical violence isn’t the only sign someone is treating you terribly. Here are some lesser known behaviors that are highly toxic:

“Altruistic Narcissism. People that do their best to be extremely helpful to everyone around them, but it’s all a manipulative act. They don’t actually care about you or what you go through, they just want everyone to see them in a good light. And then when you have any problem with them whatsoever, they immediately weaponize their ‘kind acts’ against you. I’ve done so much for you, how could you!! You should be grateful!” — ITriedSoHard419-68

“Breaking things while angry with their partner (punching a hole in the wall for example). They may not be hitting you, but they want to.” — gorhxul

“Reactive abuse. Basically, abusers will poke and prod their victim so much until their victim has an explosive reaction. The abuser will then use this reaction as justification for their abuse or to further manipulate and gaslight the victim.” — HuggyMummy

“Depending on context, the silent treatment. If you live with someone or are a romantic relationship with someone and they refuse to speak to you or acknowledge your existence, even when you’re right in front of them — not just keeping their space, but literally pretending they cannot hear or see you, for days on end — you’re in trouble.” — blueeyesredlipstick

“When you ask them to not joke about X, and they say something like, ‘Well, I guess I won’t speak at all anymore.’ They’re making it so difficult to set a boundary that you’ll want to give up.” — villettegirl

“When your partner doesn’t ‘let’ you do something. You’re a whole person, if you have ask permission instead of discussing things, it’s abuse. I do what I like mostly, but I discuss with my partner if I want to do something that affects us both, and always tell them what I’m up to so they can organize their own plans. However, permission is never someone else’s to give!” — Metalstorm413

“Continuing a certain behavior after the person you are affecting has (repeatedly) asked you to stop. But-I’m-Not-Touching-You-ism is a short route to abusive behavior.” — Mullet_Police

“Trying to ‘test’ people’s food allergies because they don’t believe them or trying to sneak a food someone doesn’t like into a dish to prove them wrong.” — falsepossum

“Commanding both parties’ finances. Not just being a breadwinner, but also shaming the other party for making purchases and/or demanding their paycheck.” — SpacecadetSpe

“Messing with someone’s sleep. Purposely causing sleep deprivation. ‘Well, if you don’t do xyz, I won’t let you sleep.'” — Broken_Husband

“Invalidating your feelings by making it about them and how you holding them accountable is upsetting them.” —  SunflowerGirl728

“Driving recklessly with you in the car. I’ve never understood why some people think that’s funny. If I was in a car with someone and they were driving reckless that would be the end of that friendship.” — NotmuchTerry

“Keeping you isolated. My ex tried convincing me that my parents and friends didn’t love me.” — OddReputation3765

“Double standards. It’s okay if they do something for any reason at any time, but you’d better have and provide a good excuse to do the same.” — CommodoreCharlemagne

“It doesn’t have to be violence, it’s the implication that something bad will happen if you don’t comply.“ — CaptainAwesom88