Are you constantly walking on eggshells to avoid upsetting them?
It isn’t always apparent that exchanges with your significant other leave you scared to approach them.
Ideally, talking to your partner will be open and free of tension.
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After all, our partners are often our confidants and best friends, so very little is considered off-limits.
Good communication is vital to any healthy relationship, but that doesn’t mean it’s always easy.
In ahealthy relationship, it isn’t hard to predict your partner’s moods and preferences.
You’re not afraid of their reactions or vice versa.
Toxic dynamics are often marked by an inability to truly communicate.
In such cases, you may feel like you have to monitor the situation carefully.
It’s anunhealthy relationshipdynamic and a stressful and exhausting way to live.
What Does Walking on Eggshells Mean?
This upset could manifest in angry outbursts ortalking down to a partnerin response to a perceived slight.
One partner is always on shaky ground.
To cope with this instability, they bend over backward to avoid an imminent complaint orchange in mood.
These complaints or mood changes may be spontaneous, excessive, and can stretch on for lengthy periods.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
Effects ofemotional abuseincluding learning to fear your partnermay lead to conditions like depression and anxiety.
Such abuse is often tied to problems with self-esteem.Lonelinessis also common since emotional abuse can be very isolating.
Recently, they may have shifted into being the reason youwake up tenseand stressed.
Finding a calm moment to share how their reactions affect you and your relationship could help enforce a change.
This can also help to navigate thetraumaof their behavior.
Visualize your ideal partner.
Focusing on what that looks like can help you clarify your vision and move forward.
They chose to become abusive.
you could, however, suggest that they seek help to avoid mistreating others in the future.
ONLY do this if you feel safe enough to do so.
Speak to a Therapist
The psychological scars left from an emotionally abusive relationship can run deep.
Sometimes, support from friends and family may not be enough to aid you in your healing process.
Speaking with a professionalcan help with navigating the pain and trauma endured in anabusive relationship.
Takeaways
Relationships can offer a safe, warm embrace from the craziness of the world.
Such situations are unhealthy and unsustainable for any relationship dynamic.
If you find that you’re in an unhealthy relationship dynamic, there’s no shame inseeking therapy.
2015;30(4):581-599. doi:10.1891/0886-6708.VV-D-13-00176
