Mental HealthHow A Toxic Marriage Can Harm Your Mental Health

**Content Warning: This article discusses domestic violence. If you are experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1.800.799.SAFE (7233) for support and resources.**

Marriage is often seen as a blissful union and represents the undying commitment of love that two people have for each other. However, marriage doesn’t always lead to happily ever after. With so many couples going to marriage counseling and filing for divorce, the perception that marriage is always blissful is starting to fade.

One reason marriages fail is that one (or both) partners exhibit toxic or abusive behavior. However, it isn’t always easy to tell if you are in a toxic marriage. This could be due to being in denial or being manipulated into thinking that the marriage is normal.

However, a toxic marriage is not only a threat to your physical health and safety but your mental health as well. Read on to learn if you are in a toxic marriage, how it may be affecting your mental health, and what you can do to get help.

Signs Of A Toxic Marriage

All marriages have their problems. Just because you and your partner argue a lot doesn’t mean your marriage is toxic.

A toxic marriage is characterized by consistent harmful or disrespectful behavior from one or both partners. Toxic spouses often aim to control, put down, or hurt their partner in some way. This can lead the other partner feeling unloved, alone, or afraid. Below are some typical signs of a toxic marriage.

• Control issues
• Jealousy
• Lack of support and empathy
• Consistent communication problems
• Resentment
• Manipulation
• Verbal abuse
• Patterns of disrespectful behavior
• Domestic violence

This list isn’t comprehensive, and there are many behaviors that can contribute to a toxic or abusive marriage. If your spouse does anything in an attempt to control your life or harm your well-being in any way, then you may be in a toxic relationship.

Mental Health Affects From A Toxic Marriage

Many sources online will tell you that marriage is actually good for your mental health. And though that is true in healthy marriages, this cannot be said about toxic marriages. Being in a marriage full of resentment, manipulation, and dishonesty will only harm your mental health. The effects may be worse in marriages that are controlling or abusive.

Below are some common mental health problems that people in toxic marriages experience:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Chronic stress
• PTSD
• Substance Use
• Low self-esteem
• Fear, panic, or paranoia

Tips For Help With Your Marriage And Mental Health

For some marriages, attending marriage counseling may help resolve the toxicity and other issues within the relationship. This is best for marriages that don’t experience extreme behavioral problems or major issues like infidelity or abuse. If the marriage can be healed and the problematic behaviors can be worked through, then attending counseling and having in-depth talks with your partner are the first steps you should take.

However, if your marriage is becoming too much to bear, then you may need to get help on your own. Be honest with your friends, family, and other loved ones about the marriage and see if they can help you in any way. Don’t be afraid to consult a counselor as well, as they can help you through your marriage (and potential divorce) and work to treat your mental health as well.

However, if you experience domestic violence from your partner, then you may need to consider ending the marriage or at least getting away to safety. If you need extra support, guidance, and resources, do not hesitate to call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1.800.799.SAFE (7233), especially if your partner is preventing you from contacting friends, family, or a counselor for help.

Bottom Line

Being in a toxic marriage can be a stressful and terrifying ordeal. Constantly living in fear or walking on eggshells is bound to develop anxiety, panic, and chronic stress. More serious issues such as infidelity and abuse can lead to more complicated and serious mental health conditions.

Finding help isn’t always easy, but it is available. If you need help with a toxic marriage, do not hesitate to reach out to friends, family, a counselor, or the National Domestic Violence Hotline for help.

Marie Miguel Biography

Marie Miguel has been a writing and research expert for nearly a decade, covering a variety of health- related topics. Currently, she is contributing to the expansion and growth of a free online mental health resource with BetterHelp.com. With an interest and dedication to addressing stigmas associated with mental health, she continues to specifically target subjects related to anxiety and depression.

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