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Difficult Relationships

SOMETIMES, PEOPLE ARE AWFUL OR ANNOYING. IT DOESN’T MEAN YOU MATTER LESS.

Difficult relationships with family members, friends, or work colleagues can have a significant impact on mental health. Increased stress due to conflicts, arguments, or tension can contribute to a range of issues including anxiety, depression, and even physical health problems. Beyond emotional distress, difficult or toxic relationships can also lead to lower self-esteem, isolation, and loneliness.

NEED WAYS TO MANAGE DIFFICULT RELATIONSHIPS?

Examples of Difficult Relationships

Relationships can be hard, and working with others can be a challenge. But truly difficult relationships are characterized by a lack of respect and trust, constant criticism and negativity, or manipulation such as gaslighting, guilt-tripping, withholding affection, and using threats or intimidation to control your thoughts, actions, or decisions. Sometimes, there is an imbalance of power, which can lead to one person dominating another and creating feelings of helplessness, resentment, or dependency for the victim. Toxic relationships can be volatile and may quickly escalate to insults, threats, and physical violence.

WARNING SIGNS

Increased tension, heated discussions, arguments or fights
Anxiety
Feeling like you can’t talk to people you were once close with
Isolation/withdrawal from people
Physical violence or threats (in some cases)

What To Do Now

There are many ways to navigate difficult relationships, and we can help. Go to FindHelp.org now, or call 988.

Feeling connected to family and friends is associated with a wide variety of health factors. Across America, positive indicators for connectedness have declined in recent years.

Your mental health matters.

You’re here. And that’s a great first step on the way to finding better ways to manage your mental health. Because here’s the thing, mental health affects everyone and it changes throughout your life as you experience new challenges and go through trauma, stress, change and everything else this world can throw at you. And it takes a lot of practice, care and help to manage your mental health through it all. That’s why we’re here with the information, resources, tips and people you need — so you don’t have to do it alone. So, let’s keep it going and take the next steps toward better mental health together. What are you dealing with?
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Stress
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Sadness and Depression
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Loneliness and Isolation
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Nervousness and Anxiety
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Suicidal Thoughts
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Difficult Relationships