Toxic relationships are a serious threat not only to your mental health, but also to your physical health. These physical symptoms usually appear in those who have been enduring a toxic relationship.
There are several types of toxic relationships, but most of them have common characteristics: the parties may not be considering each other as equals, in which case one partner may exploit, abuse and manipulate the other, while aggression, anger and lack of empathy paired with occasional remorse are also problems in their lives.
In addition to all this, toxic relationships can also involve not only mental and emotional harm, but also physical abuse and violence.
Whatever the toxic nature of the relationship, it is certain to have a very damaging effect on those who try to endure it. Not only can it damage self-esteem and self-respect, but it can also lead to anxiety, depression and various mental disorders.
Physical symptoms caused by a toxic relationship
The emotional rollercoaster, the constant stress and anxiety can greatly affect the body, and over time can lead to the appearance of physical symptoms. The following health problems often occur in people who are in bad relationships, even though many people have no idea what may be the cause of the unpleasant symptoms.
Constant fatigue is common in people who live in toxic relationships. This is partly because they are exhausted by the constant fighting, and partly because the body cannot cope well with stress and anxiety.
Research has shown that high blood pressure can also occur as a result of increased stress in toxic relationships. Not only toxic but also frequently tense relationships can result in the same problem.
The constant stress of a toxic relationship, the hit-or-run, fight-or-flight emergency responses, increase the chances of developing an inflammation.
Digestive problems can also occur, with many people finding that after a while they can no longer eat certain foods that they had no problem with before. This is usually due to elevated levels of stress hormones.
Restlessness, stress and anxiety can also cause muscle pain and muscle tension.
Hormonal problems are also a result of the ongoing stress. Constantly high levels of cortisol and adrenaline can shift and confuse the levels of other hormones.
Obesity can also be a consequence of toxic relationships: weight gain and relationship problems go hand in hand. People in these relationships are not able to pay attention to exercise and healthy eating because it is difficult to make these their priority, and hormonal imbalances and stress eating can also lead to extra pounds after a while.