MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS SERIES

Should I Stay or Should I Go

15th of May — A relationship is toxic when your well-being is threatened in some way — emotionally, psychologically, and even physically.

Do you remember the song that came out in 1982 by The Clash? I wonder how many of us have this very question in our minds as we think of our relationships. Should I stay or should I go? Is the relationship healthy or is it toxic?

🎶 Should I Stay Or Should I Go? 🎶 Source: The Clash Lyrics

Darlin’ you got to let me know Should I stay or should I go? If you say that you are mine I’ll be here ’til the end of time So you got to let me know Should I stay or should I go?

It’s always tease tease tease You’re happy when I’m on my knees One day is fine and next is black So if you want me off your back Well come on and let me know Should I stay or should I go?

Should I stay or should I go now? Should I stay or should I go now? If I go there will be trouble And if I stay it will be double So come on and let me know Should I stay or should I go? 🎶🎵🎶🎵🎶🎵🎶🎵🎶

What is a Toxic Relationship?

I’d like to highlight some of the key points of this article, emphasizing the effect that a toxic relationship can have on someone who suffers from a mental illness.

How do you know when a relationship is toxic?

A relationship is toxic when your well-being is threatened in some way — emotionally, psychologically, and even physically.

Are mentally ill people more susceptible to toxic relationships?

People with mental illnesses, such as bipolar disorder, major depression, or even depressive tendencies, may be particularly susceptible to toxic relationships since they are already sensitive to negative emotions. For example, someone with bipolar disorder who is in the midst of a mixed or depressive episode may have a somewhat weaker grip on emotional stability than others, and that may make that person an easier target for toxic people. However, toxic people can affect anyone.

What are some of the signs that you are in a toxic relationship?

Relationships that involve physical or verbal abuse are definitely classified as toxic. But there are other, more subtle, signs of a toxic relationship, including:

1️⃣ You give more than you’re getting, which makes you feel devalued and depleted.

2️⃣ You feel consistently disrespected or that your needs aren’t being met.

3️⃣ You feel a toll on your self-esteem over time.

4️⃣ You feel unsupported, misunderstood, demeaned, or attacked.

5️⃣ You feel depressed, angry, or tired after speaking or being with the other person.

6️⃣ You bring out the worst in each other. For example, your competitive friend brings out a spite-based competitive streak that is not enjoyable for you.

7️⃣ You are not your best self around the person. For example, they bring out the gossipy side of you, or they seem to draw out a mean streak you don’t normally have.

8️⃣ You feel like you have to walk on eggshells around this person to keep from becoming a target of their venom.

9️⃣ You spend a lot of time and emotional strength trying to cheer them up.

🔟 You are always to blame. They turn things around so things you thought they had done wrong are suddenly your fault.

I suppose when a person realizes that they’re in a toxic relationship, it would be difficult and sometimes impossible to leave that relationship. Think of family members or co-workers. Toxic or healthy? How about marriages or other intimate relationships. Toxic or healthy?

The reason that I’ve written this article today is because of ongoing toxicity in my marriage that needs to be addressed, the sooner the better. Because you see, the longer I allow it to go on, the more it will affect my mental health.

Out of the ten signs of a toxic relationship that I’ve listed, I’ve said yes to all ten.

Definitely toxic, and definitely needs to be fixed, somehow. Should I stay or should I go? As I’ve said, it’s not an easy decision for any of us. If we stay, we must cope with the toxicity and not expect it to change. And if we go, there could be a chance for improvement in our mental well-being.

Wish me luck with my situation and let me know about yours in the comments. The important thing is to take care of ourselves and our mental health, even if it means tough decisions. Should I stay or should I go?

Thank you for reading today’s Mental Health Awareness article. Stay tuned for another tomorrow. In case you missed the previous articles on mental health awareness, you can find them here.

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