Many people throw around the word toxic. It is definitely a buzz word these days. What is toxic communication? I think about the word toxic as a substance that would make you physically ill or kill you. Now, apply that to communication or relationships. I define it as the way someone communicates in an unhealthy pattern that causes intended or unintended emotional harm to others. It may seem obvious to avoid something that causes you harm. However, I am sure you can think of yourself or others who continuously go back to the same toxic relationship or communication pattern.

Perhaps you notice that there is an established or emerging pattern in your relationship(s). You might have noticed it in someone else’s relationship. Here are some toxic relationship patterns to help you pinpoint or name what you struggle to put words. While these are not definable mental health disorders, they can help us identify unhelpful or toxic patterns that need to be corrected or stopped. Also, someone may have more than one toxic trait.