The fatality rate of truck accidents has led different states to draft laws aimed at preventing these incidents. The Transportation Employee Testing Act, passed by Congress in 1991, mandated that the Department of Transportation establish drug and alcohol testing for employees.
Truck accidents are a severe hazard, especially in Atlanta and other regions. These large vehicles, called 18-wheelers, tractor-trailers, semis, or big rigs, can be devastating when involved in an auto accident. Embry Law Truck Accidentsis knowledgeable about such cases and offers dedicated service to clients throughout Georgia. We make sure all the needs of our customers are taken care of.
By this law, truck drivers must submit themselves to drug testing. It is now the driver’s responsibility to adhere to the drug testing rule. Truck drivers are subjected to drug testing several times throughout their careers to ensure that they are in a good state of mind to drive.
What is a Drug Test Analysis?
As a transport company employee, you undergo a series of tests, including drug tests from your company. However, the drug test by the Department of Transportation is different.
They check for drugs using a urine sample and check for alcohol using a breathalyzer. The findings of this drug test are not immediate or quick. For the most reliable results, all samples are thoroughly analyzed. The drug test analysis is to test for the presence of:
Marijuana
Amphetamines or methamphetamine
Cocaine
Phencyclidine
Opiates or codeine
On the other hand, the breathalyzer checks for alcohol concentration levels of 0.002 and above. The test can detect traces of drugs or alcohol from a person who used either substance in the past 30 days.
Who are the Tests For?
The alcohol and drug testing rules apply to most commercially licensed drivers on public roadways. The aim of drug testing on these commercial truck drivers is to dissuade them from abusing drugs and alcohol, thereby endangering the lives of other road users.
The rules and regulations are there for the safety of truck drivers and everyone else on the road. Truck drivers should not see the drug test as a bothersome task. Employers must recognize and respond to an employee’s alcohol or drug problem as early as possible.
The drug test is not restricted to only truck drivers. Other professionals, such as airline crew, train operators, or people working on pipelines, must also take the drug and alcohol test.
When are the Tests Required?
Truck drivers take alcohol and drug tests on different occasions. The first is the pre-employment stage. In this stage, the company requires its employees to carry out a drug test independently. A negative result must be presented to the employer before the candidate can drive a commercial motor vehicle.
A driver may also be subjected to a drug test if there are suspicions that they are under the influence. This suspicion may arise from the driver’s looks, smell, or the way they speak. If the evidence backs up the accusation, the driver will be required to undergo a drug test for confirmation.
If a truck driver is involved in an accident, the alcohol and drug testing depends solely on how severe the crash was. The driver will still undergo these tests whether the collision involves bodily harm or not. Undergoing the test will ensure insurance protection for both the driver and the company. The results from an alcohol test will be ready within 8 hours after a crash, while a drug test takes up to 32 hours.
A truck driver may also be subjected to random testing. The random test happens every quarter of the year. Employers must adhere to arbitrary selection rules.
Drug Test Preparation
Before going in for a drug test, you should drink lots of water and stay hydrated, as a urine sample is required. Also, if you are on any legal, prescriptive medication, it may tamper with your drug test result. It is best to notify the healthcare provider about your legal medications to avoid a false-positive result. In these cases, you may have to do a follow-up test and show your prescription information.
What Does a Positive Drug Test Result Signify?
If an individual tests positive or even refrains from taking the drug test, they risk losing authorization to drive a commercial motor vehicle or perform other safety-sensitive functions. Additionally, the person may lose their commercial driver’s license or certification. They will have to undergo complete return-to-duty drug tests and screenings to return to work.
The return-to-duty drug test will be carried out under the supervision of a qualified substance abuse professional from the Department of Transportation. The individual must also provide at least six negative results directly observed by the department within a year. This may extend to four additional years.
Does a Positive Result Have an Impact On My Record?
Testing positive to alcohol and drug tests will undoubtedly impact your record until the return-to-duty screening process is fully complete. Afterward, the violation will remain on CDL Clearinghouse for about five years.
The CDL Clearinghouse provides an online database where government agencies and employers can have real-time access to details about an individual’s CDL drug and alcohol program violations. Potential employers can only access your drug test with your consent, but your refusal to give consent may lead to lost opportunities.
Learn More about Truck Driver Drug Testing
The commercial truck driver requirements for drug and alcohol testing may seem rigid, but these precautions are for the safety of the driver and all other road users. As an individual who performs safety-sensitive functions, it is crucial to take these precautions to prevent serious accidents.
As the weather warms up, there are expectations for more motorcyclists to hit the road, leading to an increased risk for crashes and injuries. According to the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CT DOT), 68 people died in motorcycle crashes in 2021. It was the highest ever recorded by the state in 30 years.
“While motorcyclists need to be extra careful on the road, the same goes for drivers for their own safety and the safety of motorcyclists,” says attorney Jan Dils. While driving, motorists concentrate more on other cars and often ignore checking for motorcyclists around them, resulting in crashes. With the rate of motorcycle fatalities experienced in 2021, the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CT DOT) reminded motorists to be more cautious on the road.
Causes of Motorcycle Crashes During the Warmer Season
The warmer months are a popular season when people go on vacations or travel to see loved ones. During this period, the road is always congested, causing an increase in the risks of road accidents occurring.
Listed below are some of the common causes of motorcycle crashes during this time period:
#1. Students on Summer Break
Students usually return home during their summer break. Most of these students are inexperienced drivers and may to drive out to see their friends or go on a road trip.
However, the risk of accidents for inexperienced drivers is higher than for those with experience. Thus, with these students behind the wheel, there is a higher chance of accidents occurring, which can be fatal to motorcyclists. The reason is that they are on the receiving end of serious injury when an accident happens due to lack of protection.
#2. Road Constructions During the Summer
During the winter season, there is less construction on the roads due to snowfall. However, as the weather warms up, from spring to summer, road construction continues.
Construction causes many road hazards such as construction trucks, traffic cones, and slower speed limits. All of these can cause a collision if drivers do not see motorcyclists while driving.
#3. Driving Under the Influence
Drunk driving usually happens throughout every season of the year. But, during warmer seasons, there is this craving for cold drinks, hanging out outside, and going on vacations. Therefore, during summer there are various activities, such as picnics with friends and parties, which require drinks like alcohol.
Unfortunately, some motorcyclists and motorists tend to get behind the wheel drunk after attending these activities. Drunk driving impairs driving skills such as coordination, judgment, and reasoning. As a result, it can result in crashes that can cause serious injuries or death to motorcyclists, motorists, and other road users.
#4. Weather Conditions
Bad weather conditions are another factor contributing to motorcyclist accidents. Summer can bring unexpected rain, reducing visibility and making roadways slippery.
However, some bikers may prefer to continue riding in this poor weather to get to their destination instead of pulling over until the weather improves. Unfortunately, this can lead to accidents causing injuries or death.
#5. Driver Negligence
Most times, motorcyclists are careful when riding their motorbikes. On the other hand, motorists may be negligent when driving. Thus, leading to accidents that can injure both drivers and other road users.
Such accidents can occur due to distracted driving, like trying to pick up a call or reply to a text while driving. Other negligent driving includes speeding, failure to yield, or not paying attention to traffic signs.
CT DOT Tips to Keep the Road Safer For Motorcyclists
Other road users can help keep the roads safer for motorcyclists by adopting safe driving habits. Here are some driving guidelines from the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CT DOT) for motorists:
#1. Checking Blind Spots Always and Pass with Caution
Naturally, motorcycles are smaller than other vehicles. Thus, making it harder for drivers to notice them when merging or switching lanes. Before changing lanes, motorists should take their time and inspect the blind spots of their cars before continuing with their intended move.
Furthermore, it is also advisable for motorists to be very cautious when passing motorcyclists. They should always use their turn signal to alert the motorcycle riders of their intentions. Also, before motorists return to their lane, they should ensure they are many car lengths ahead of the motorcyclist.
#2. Speeding
Motorists should always bear in mind that motorcyclists can react faster than vehicles due to their size. Thus, they should avoid tailgating and keep a safe distance behind vehicles. Doing this will prevent rear-end collisions as they can be deadly to motorcyclists.
However, drivers can help keep motorcyclists safe by increasing their following distance, especially when driving at night. While maintaining this safe distance, they should also ensure that their high beams are off when they spot an oncoming motorcycle. When driving with the high beams on, one must dim them at least 500 feet from any approaching car or motorcycle.
#3. Stay in Your Lane and Take Another Look Before Turning Left
By law, motorcycles have their traffic lanes. Thus, on no account should motorists drive in the same lane as the motorcyclists or even try getting closer to the lanes designated for motorcyclists. Trying to share traffic lanes with motorcyclists means confusion and a possible collision that can be fatal for motorcyclists.
Furthermore, motorists should always take a second look at incoming motorbikes before crossing a lane of traffic to turn left. Accidents involving a left-turning vehicle colliding with an oncoming motorcycle can be devastating.
#4. Be Cautious of Turning Motorcycles and Alert Them When Turning
When motorists want to turn, they should always alert motorcyclists of their intention to turn. When they notice motorcycles following them, they have to activate their turn signal earlier than they usually do.
On the other hand, motorists should also be cautious of turning motorcycles. They should increase their following distance if they detect a motorbike riding with its turn signal on for an unusually long road distance. Doing this will help them have enough time to react if the rider decides to turn.
#5. Avoiding Bad Weather Conditions and Always Adhere to the intersection Safety Protocol
Intersections are high-risk zones where many vehicle accidents involving two cars and motorbikes happen. Therefore, when approaching an intersection, always come to a complete stop. Then, observe and obey the traffic signs and signals, look both ways for oncoming vehicles and motorbikes, and continue slowly.
Furthermore, motorists should also avoid bad weather conditions while driving. It could obstruct their visibility to see motorbikes ahead or behind them. When driving and one notices a change in weather, they should park and wait for the weather to improve before continuing their journey.
Conclusion
Motorists also have to play a part in their own safety and for other road users. They should also maintain proper following road distance and wear their helmets always to reduce the degree of injury when an accident occurs. Also, since other vehicles find it difficult to spot them because of their size, they should always wear visible gear, especially at night.
Personal Liability Insurance (PLI) is designed to help protect your assets when any form of disaster hits you. For instance, you may be financially responsible for damages to someone’s property. You may crash into someone’s house, in which case liability car insurance will cover legal expenses and the judgment of settlement.
What happens when the liability exceeds your insurance coverage limits? You could lose significant assets despite having liability insurance in some instances. This is where Umbrella Insurance comes in. It’s a form of insurance designed to help protect you from losing your assets in the case of any form of catastrophe where you are financially responsible.
What Is Umbrella Insurance?
Umbrella Insurance is a form of extra insurance for additional coverage in cases where the limits of your existing insurance have been exceeded. It is designed for situations where the expenses associated with a liability claim for which you are responsible far exceeds what your PLI can handle.
Umbrella insurance differs from provider to provider, with each offering different packages. For the most part, you need to have an existing insurance policy for home, condo, renters, or auto insurance that covers between $250,000 to $350,000 in liability expenses before you can purchase an umbrella policy.
What Does Umbrella Insurance Cover?
It’s important to note that Umbrella Insurance has some key similarities to the personal liability aspect of your homeowner’s insurance, condo insurance, car insurance, or renters insurance. The only difference is that it is used when you max out these insurance policies. The following situations are typically covered by Umbrella Insurance:
Your Dog Bites Someone
Homeowner’s insurance policies cover dog bites, but if you are sued for an amount that exceeds your insurance, then the Umbrella Insurance policy comes into play. The expenses covered may include medical bills and pain and suffering.
You Accidentally Injure Someone
Umbrella Insurance will come in if your home or auto insurance is exceeded in cases where you or your family member accidentally injure someone. For instance, when your child accidentally injures a friend while playing. If you are sued and the liability damages exceed the insured amount, then Umbrella Insurance will help.
You Are Responsible for a Serious Boating or Automotive Accident
Boating or auto accident bills can come out to be insane amounts, especially in cases where you are responsible for injuries to multiple people. Here, your insurance policy will start by covering the expenses, and once it is maxed out, the Umbrella Insurance will come in.
Slander Damage or Personal Defamation Claims
This may include a lawsuit filed because of a post you made on social media. If it exceeds your PLI, then the Umbrella Insurance will settle the costs.
What Umbrella Insurance Won’t Cover
Just like there are limits to your personal insurance, there are limits to your Umbrella Insurance. Below are some of the losses typically not covered by Umbrella Insurance:
Criminal acts
Contracts
Intentional acts of injury
Damages of nuclear radiation, war, or terrorism
Damage to your personal property
A lawsuit where you are responsible for infecting someone with an infectious disease
Who Needs Umbrella Insurance?
Now that you understand Umbrella Insurance, who needs this policy? Below are some of the factors that might warrant a need for Umbrella Insurance:
People with high net worths
Celebrities
Investors in real estate
Enthusiasts of extreme sports or dangerous hobbies
Dog owners or exotic pet owners
How Much Does Umbrella Insurance Cost?
Umbrella insurance costs will, for the most part, be influenced by the amount of insurance you purchase. You should note that most insurers have a minimum limit of about $1 million, with the option of raising this amount.
The Takeaway
Now that you have a rough idea of Umbrella Insurance, you can decide whether you need it or not. Remember, accidents and disasters are unpredictable, and you never know when you will find yourself facing a lawsuit.
An airbag is a standard safety feature integrated into all vehicles. It is designed to protect occupants from hitting objects inside or outside of the car in a collision. However, airbags can become deadly when defective, which is quite ironic since they are designed as a safety feature.
One of the biggest motor vehicle recalls in the US involved airbags. The recall, which has affected over 19 major motor vehicle manufacturers, still continues. The exploding Takata airbags have been responsible for 19 deaths and more than 400 injuries.
The Cause of the Defect
But, why are these airbags exploding? It all boils down to the design of these faulty parts. Standard airbags have a propellant comprising a metal cartridge.
The faulty airbags had ammonium nitrate as the propellant and had no chemical drying agent. Due to this defective feature, upon long-term exposure to heat and humidity, the airbag housing is likely to explode in a crash and send pieces of the metal cartridge flying.
The Recall
Despite the defective airbags being rare, given they were spread out in vehicles manufactured over 20 years, they were extremely dangerous. Due to their danger, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has recalled over 67 million airbags in more than 42 million vehicles as of September 2021.
The agency has conducted the recall in various stages. Vehicles are recalled based on risk and year of manufacture, where 2002 to 2015 were when most defective airbags were manufactured.
What’s more, the agency uses a 12 level strategy, where areas with the highest heat and humidity and concentration of reported cases are prioritized.
Cars affected by the recall include the 2001-2003 Honda and Acura models and the 2006 Ford Ranger and Mazda B-series. What’s more, an investigation by the New York Times showed that Takata knew of the defects from as early as 2000.
Consequently, the US Dept. of Justice charged three Takata executives with forging test data to cover the defects. The executives eventually settled the case and the company was fined $1 billion, causing it to file for bankruptcy, after which Key Safety Systems purchased it.
The most recent defective airbag incident happened on Jan 8, 2022, in South Carolina, where the driver was killed in a 2002 Honda Accord. The car was not registered to the owner and had changed ownership several times over the years.
According to Honda, the vehicle was recalled in April 2011, and they had attempted to inform the owner of the recall more than 100 times with no response. Drivers can check whether their vehicle has been recalled by visiting the NHTSA website and typing in their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
What to Do if Your Vehicle Is Recalled
If your vehicle is on the recall list, the manufacturer is legally required to repair it for free. You can continue driving it as you wait for the repair. However, 2001-2003 Honda/Acura and 2006 Ford/Mazda trucks are on the stop-driving order, meaning you should contact your dealership immediately.
If your dealership refuses to fix the car, you should contact NHTSA as soon as possible with information regarding the dealership and the staff member you interacted with. However, you should not ask your dealership to disable the airbag since it can still offer protection in an accident.
Putting in extra hours at work can be taxing on the body and with the increased effort into your job, it’s too easy to put your health on the back burner. You don’t have to sacrifice your health. It requires putting in a little extra effort, but when you do, you’ll maintain your wellness to keep you on track while prioritizing your physical health. Read on for tips on how you can keep up with your healthy lifestyle when you’re putting in more hours in the office.
Take Frequent Physical Breaks
Sitting down at your desk for hours upon end is not good for the body. Staying inactive for too long can leave your body feeling tense, tight, and painful. “Too often, I’m so engrossed in my work that I forget to move around. When I finally do stand up, I can feel the consequences,” admits Natália Sadowski, Director of Aesthetics at Nourishing Biologicals.
As you’re working, set up an alert to go off every 1-2 hours to remind you to stand up and move around. Do some light stretching, take a walk around the office, or go for a stroll outside. Natália Sadowski relies on her reminders throughout the day. “My smartwatch is set up to remind me to stand up every hour. When the notification goes off, I stand up and take a walk around the block. It takes 5–10 minutes and it’s definitely worth it.”
Prepare Meals and Snacks
When you spend so much of your week at the office, convenience often takes over your food choices. You grab a snack from the vending machine or order food from a nearby restaurant. While this is great now and then, when you practice this type of eating schedule continuously, it can affect your diet. Instead, prepare any meals or snacks for your week so you can more easily stay on track.
Meal prepping for breakfast or lunch can sound daunting, but it’s worth it and will make your day much easier – without having to feel redundant. Erin Palinski-Wade, RD, CDCES, author of Belly Fat Diet for Dummies, uses a trick with her clients to combat menu fatigue. “I have my clients write down their favorite meal options on sticky notes, then place those sticky notes on a calendar to build out their menu for the week. Then, all they need to do is rotate the sticky notes from week to week.” Not only does this practice avoid repetition, but it eliminates decision fatigue, which can be exhausting in and of itself.
When it comes to snacks, stock up your office with nutritious snacks you can grab on the go. Avoid sugary snacks or candies since those foods are less likely to satisfy your hunger. Stock up on crackers, nuts (like almonds), or pretzels. Don’t feel compelled to only bring snacks that can be kept dry. Prepare fresh snacks too like baby carrots or berries to leave in a refrigerator.
Brandon Adcock, Co-Founder and CEO has made a name for himself at Nugenix for his snack habits. “My coworkers tease me for keeping a pantry full of snacks at my desk. But hey, I’m always prepared if I need some fuel to keep my going when things get busy.”
Maintain Your Exercise Routine
Working more hours usually means you have less time for other activities, such as your workout routine. Continue to maintain your current routine as much as possible to keep up with your health. It can require some flexibility with your schedule, but be open to making whatever changes are necessary to ensure your exercise routine doesn’t fall to the wayside.
“During weeks when work gets hectic, I have to switch up my workout routine,” Steven Vigilante, the Head of New Business Development at OLIPOP shares. “If I can’t make it to my yoga class after work, I’ll do a routine at home before bed. If I’m not able to get in my daily walk during lunch, I’ll wake up early the next day to get it in before work. It takes some flexibility to rearrange my schedule, but if I don’t prioritize it, my body is all out of whack.”
Avoid Too Much Caffeine or Sugary Drinks
Selecting the right beverages is essential for a healthy lifestyle, as the choices we make impact our overall well-being. Understanding the composition of your drinks, including potential additives like aspartame, is crucial. Oobli provides beverage that don’t have aspartame on it.
When pushing through a busy work week, people tend to load up on caffeine to keep them going. But, that practice can have an adverse effect. Drinking too much caffeine can leave you feeling jittery and distracted while consuming too many sugary drinks can cause you to crash.
Co-Founder of TalentSmart, Dr. Travis Bradberry explains the effect of too much caffeine. “Coming off caffeine reduces your cognitive performance and has a negative impact on your mood. The only way to get back to normal is to drink caffeine, and when you do drink it, you feel like it’s taking you to new heights. In reality, the caffeine is just taking your performance back to normal for a short period.”
Prioritize Your Sleep
To maintain a healthy lifestyle, the most important thing you can do for your body is to get enough sleep each night. It is recommended that you get at least 8 hours of sleep each night to avoid fatigue and a lack of concentration and productivity. Working extra hours means you have to make the most out of the time you have, and a lack of sleep prevents you from having the energy to take on a packed day. So, as much as it might take some rearranging, it’s important to make your sleep a priority.
Stephanie Venn-Watson, CEO of Seraphina Therapeutics, learned the hard way that she needed to get more sleep. “I used to try to do it all when my work schedule was packed: workout, meet up with friends, go to events, and attend book club. Naturally, my sleep schedule was affected. I would only get about 5–6 hours of sleep each night. After a while, it really took a toll on my body. As much as I wanted to do it all when work was more demanded, I knew I couldn’t. I had to prioritize my sleep which meant reorganizing how I spent my downtime.”
Working too much can be taxing, but if it’s not something you have to do often, you can learn how to manage the time. Maintaining your health while working long hours takes some flexibility and planning. With the right tools, you’ll be able to work hard at keeping your lifestyle healthy while performing your job well.
Technology has revolutionized every type of media that we consume, and that absolutely includes porn. Not many people consume porn by watching DVDs anymore. Before, people bought VHS and Beta tapes.
At one point, magazines and special cinemas were the primary sources of adult entertainment. Even earlier than that – a medium that has survived the times – people used to write pornographic books. This sort of thing has probably existed for as long as human beings have!
Today, it’d be a nearly impossible task to find an adult who hasn’t at least heard of porn sites. But even websites are currently being outpaced by cam sites. This is probably because cam sites feel more interactive and intimate, making the experience a lot more personal.
A lot of cam sites offer interaction between the viewer and the model. A little involvement really does it for people! So here are the top sex cam review sites to help point you in the right direction.
1. ReadySetCam
ReadySetCam not only has a wide selection of reviews of cam sites, but they also have a ton of sex cam-related articles. Aspiring models, or interested fans, would probably get lost on this website. With the number of comments most articles get, it also seems to have a healthy, thriving community, so there are always other people to turn to if you’re out of recommendations. You’ll always find interesting articles to read.
2. Adult Cam Review
Adult Cam Review is a website that’s all about the sex cam viewer. If ReadySetCam is more geared towards the model, Adult Cam Review is totally geared towards you as a viewer. Its main focus is helping you get the most out of each cam site and knowing which cam sites are worth it and which ones are milking you for all you’re worth. They have articles on how to get started as a new viewer, the best overall sites, as well as best sites by interest. Adult Cam Review says they want to point you in the right direction, so they’re definitely worth checking out.
3. Adult Cam Reviewer
Adult Cam Reviewer has reviewed a wide variety of cam sites. They claim that they take into consideration the sex cam website’s special features, pricing, model selection, the overall security of the site, as well as quality. Their own website seems to be very well put together and easy to navigate.
4. Adult-Cam-Sites
The people at Adult-Cam-Sites seem like they fully understand being in the position of a regular sex cam viewer wanting something new and sexy to watch. They claim to have created this website in order to expose which sex cam sites are real, and which ones aren’t. Since sex cams have become a multi-million dollar industry, there are an unbelievable amount of fake cam sites and scams. Adult-Cam-Sites has been in operation for a few years and they’ve created a pretty big selection of honest reviews, as well as some tips and tricks to help keep you and your credit card safe.
5. The Cam Dude
The Cam Dude is a website run by – you guessed it! – a dude that knows a lot about cam sites, and a couple of other things. As soon as you go on this site, you’ll see a pretty sizable selection of cam sites, all grouped into categories and ranked. The Cam Dude also has other sections on his website, such as a blog and a porn games section. Check those out if you’re interested.
6. Sexcamsitesreviews
The founder of this site, Manny, blogs about his thoughts on various sex cam websites. He has plenty of experience under his belt browsing cam sites, and he says he wants to help out the newbies! Manny claims to know a lot of insider details on how sex cams work and which ones give you the most bang for your buck.
7. BestWebcamSites
BestWebcamSites claims to be a professional sex cam review website, committed to staying up-to-date with everything sex cam-related. They claim that it’s important to them to interact with and answer their readers’ questions, as generic or obscure as they might be. They have a large selection of reviews, tailored to your own personal tastes.
8. Sex-Cam-Reviews
Sex-Cam-Reviews have got an absolutely huge selection of cam site reviews of all different categories. As a general rule, all of the websites in their top 10 are free to join, so it seems to be important to them that you can have some fun without pulling out your wallet straight away.
9. Adult Reviews
Adult Reviews isn’t a website primarily focused on sex cams. They rank and rate a variety of adult entertainment channels, such as porn websites and categories. Their slogan is “Your guide to better porn”. Their big selection of cam site reviews indicates that they intend to deliver on that promise!
10. The Porn Dude
If you’ve ever decided to get a recommendation on anything relating to porn, you’ve probably come across the Porn Dude’s website. This guy has an absolutely massive selection of anything and everything pornographic. It would be shocking if he didn’t have a cam site selection, but naturally, he does. If you’re interested in anything else porn-related, there are a myriad of other websites you can look at while you’re there. So have fun!
Finding the best sex cam website will depend on the kind of experience you’re looking for. If you’re unsure of your needs as a viewer, then exploring various reviews can help you find what you’re looking for.
These platforms can also be difficult to navigate. If you were to get into them now, you’d have next to no idea where to start. What sites offer the best value for your money? What sites offer the kind of models or actions that you prefer to see? How much can you see free of charge? It can all be very confusing, so it’s best to listen to the pros. You can check out these sex cam review sites that’ll help get you started.
Those with a mental health issue are twice as likely as those without to develop an addiction. Mental health and addiction are inextricably linked. Substance abuse can worsen mental health problems. There are many types of mental health disorders, and each can affect a person’s life differently.
What is The Connection Between Mental Health and Addiction (Image Credit Pexels)
Some mental health disorders can make a person feel anxious or depressed, while others may cause a person to act out in violent or self-destructive ways. To effectively deal with the issue, a Drug & Alcohol Rehab has to treat both the addiction and the underlying mental health disorder. To understand the connection, read on.
How Does a Mental Health Issue Affect One’s Life?
Mental health includes emotional, psychological and social well-being. A person’s mental health can be affected by various factors, concerning but not limited to:
Stressful life events such as the death of a loved one, divorce, or job loss
Traumatic experiences such as abuse or violence
Having a family history of mental illness
Biological factors such as a chemical imbalance in the brain
Mental health disorders can cause a person to feel hopeless, worthless, and helpless. They may also lead to losing interest in activities once enjoyed. In some cases, mental health disorders can even cause a person to have thoughts of suicide or self-harm.
The brain is a complex organ, and when something is not working correctly, it can have a ripple effect throughout the entire body. Understand that mental health disorders are real, severe medical conditions that require treatment from qualified professionals.
How Do Mental Health Issues Lead to Addiction?
People with mental health disorders often turn to drugs or alcohol to self-medicate. They may try to numb the mental illness’s pain or escape the negative feelings they are experiencing.
Unfortunately, this only leads to a downward spiral as the addiction takes over and worsens the mental health disorder. It becomes a vicious cycle difficult to break free from without professional help.
Treating the addiction without addressing the underlying mental health disorder is not enough. It leads to relapse, as the person is still not dealing with the root problem. It takes therapy, medication, and a lot of hard work to overcome an addiction and a mental health disorder.
How Does Addiction Lead to Mental Health Disorders
Addiction is the continued use of a substance or activity despite adverse consequences. It changes the brain in ways that lead to cravings, making it difficult to control impulses. Over time, addiction can lead to problems with mental health, such as:
Anxiety
Depression
Paranoia
Psychosis
Addiction can also worsen pre-existing mental health disorders. The disorders kick in when a person attempts to quit using, experiencing withdrawal symptoms. Also, addiction’s hopelessness, shame, and guilt can lead to suicidal thoughts or behaviors. The good news is that it is possible to overcome addiction and mental health disorders with treatment.
If you or someone you know is struggling with a mental health disorder and addiction, help is available. Reach out for professional help as soon as possible. Because it’s not easy to tell where one problem starts and the other ends, it’s best to seek treatment from a facility that specializes in addiction and mental health disorders. Here are some other things you can do:
Educate Yourself
When you understand the connection between mental health and addiction, it is easier to see how they feed off each other. The more you know about the issue, the better equipped you will be to help your loved one. For instance, you’ll learn how to help the person when a negative situation occurs or if they start to exhibit signs of relapse.
Offer Support
Recovery is a long and challenging journey. Show the person that you are there for them every step. Be patient and understanding, and never give up on them. Sometimes, they act out or make mistakes, but that doesn’t mean they are not worth fighting for. Focus on their positive qualities and remind them of their worth.
Encourage Treatment
Treatment is essential for overcoming addiction and mental health disorders. It may be challenging to convince your loved one to seek help, but do not hesitate to try. If they are not ready to seek treatment, you can still offer support and be there for them when they are ready to take that step. To help them see they need treatment:
Show them how the problems have affected their quality of life
Dont bail them out of the issues caused by their addiction
Encourage them to talk to a therapist or counselor
You can also look into treatment options and facilities yourself, preparing you for when they are ready to seek help. Talk and discuss the available options together, and let them know you will support them.
Take Care of Yourself
Caring for someone with an addiction and mental health disorder is quite challenging. You never know what to expect, affecting your mental and emotional health. You’re always on edge, worrying about the person and their next move. Make sure to:
Get enough sleep
Eat a balanced diet
Exercise regularly
Talk to someone about what you’re going through
Join a support group for caregivers
Take breaks and vacations when you can
You cannot pour from an empty cup. If you don’t take care of yourself, you won’t be able to care for your loved one.
What Happens When Both Issues Are Treated?
When both addiction and mental health disorders are treated, it is possible to achieve long-term recovery. It requires hard work and dedication, but it is worth it. In treatment, the person will:
Learn about the connection between mental health and addiction
Identify the underlying causes of the disorders
Develop healthy coping skills
Build a support system
Create a relapse prevention plan
Don’t Give Up on Your Loved One
The treatment gives your loved ones the tools they need to overcome disorders and live a happy and healthy life. It restores your relationship, improves communication, and helps you both grow. Take one step at a time, and never give up on your loved one.
After a busy day, it’s understandable that you want to just relax. In fact, you may not really feel like doing anything at all. However, simply plopping down and zoning out may not actually be the best way to de-stress. Even when you’ve given yourself permission to sit around, you may very well just keep on stressing out. When that happens, you’re not really getting the benefits of relaxation that you need to be getting in the time that you have to yourself. Instead of just tuning out, make a conscious effort to retune your frame of mind. Here are some of the best ways to effectively relax when you’ve reached the end of your workday.
1. Meditate
Five to ten minutes of meditation can make a big difference in how you’re feeling. Focused breathing exercises can quell anxiety and help you feel more grounded. In addition to breathwork, stretching can focus your attention to your body and physical presence which can steer it away from residual internal thought processes filled with snippets of the days’ events and miscellaneous worries.
Use aromatherapy to simulate parts of your brain that play a role in regulating your mood. Choose all-natural products, and consider trying a variety of different scents. A diffuser with Young Living Essential Oils can transform the ambience of your home environment and evoke an almost immediate change in your mood.
Redirecting your energy when you get home can get you more meaningfully engaged in the act of relaxing. In turn, enhancing the quality of the time that you spend relaxing will maximize the stress-relieving benefits that you get from giving yourself a break.
2. Shower
Showering soon after you get home can help you create instant calm. It is a great way to channel your energy towards yourself rather than away from the day that you’re putting behind you. Taking off everything that you’re wearing and stepping into the water has psychological significance. It’s symbolic of stripping and washing the day away from yourself. In this sense, incorporating showering into your post-work routine helps you transition into the next phase of your day with a different outlook.
Showering can also be an opportunity to work some aromatherapy into your evening. You can use scented bath products, but make sure that they’re made from all-natural ingredients. Overly fragranced products with harsh perfumes and other chemical components can irritate your skin. Alternatively you can use fragrance-free all natural products and add small amounts of scented oils that are safe for topical use.
Another great benefit of hopping into the shower after work is that it can soothe achy muscles. If you typically face your shower head, try facing the opposite direction for most of your shower. Directing the water to your chest can make your breath feel heavy. When you face away from your shower, you can direct the water to your neck and upper back around your shoulders, which are the parts of your body that tend to get most tense over the course of a stressful day.
3. Eat Mindfully
A nutritious meal is a great way to take care of yourself. Instead of reaching for the easiest thing to heat up, put some thought into what you’re going to fix for yourself so you’ll have a healthy meal solution ready to go. Getting into the habit of meal prep and planning your main meals a day or two ahead prep can have an amazingly positive effect on how well you eat when you get home from a busy day.
You’ll feel good about knowing that you’re fueling your body with the nourishment that it needs. Furthermore, it will be easier for you to steer clear of stress eating habits or overindulging in comfort foods that don’t have any substantive nutritional value. Eating well and avoiding ultra processed ingredients is great for your digestion, and improving digestion can support your mental wellness.
It’s important to remember that relaxing won’t always come as naturally to you as you might expect it to. This is particularly true when you’re stressed out. In fact, being exceptionally worn down may not make it easier to wind down. Instead, feeling extra fatigued can compound stress and make your inner dialog more negative than usual. It might also be harder for you to regulate your emotions. Going on autopilot to relax won’t necessarily help you achieve relaxation. In contrast, deliberate and guided steps will make you better able to make your way towards a state of calm.
Your relationship is supposed to bring happiness and a sense of fulfillment into your life. It should be your source of genuine contentment and safe haven. And when it comes to your partner, they should be your greatest support. Your biggest cheerleader. Your crying shoulder. Your best friend.
But if the relationship you’re currently in has recently started feeling more like a burden to you or prison instead of a safe haven or paradise, this may be a sign that you’re in a relationship with someone toxic. Of course, you should be aware of how you treat your girlfriend too, and whether your behavior makes your relationship thrive or harms it.
However, if you know that you’re doing your best to protect your relationship and make it thrive, then it’s likely that it’s your partner’s fault that your relationship is headed in the wrong direction. Since recognizing that you’re dealing with a toxic girlfriend may not always be easy, in what follows, we’ve presented 20 warning signs you’re in a relationship with a toxic girlfriend that gift-wraps her controlling behavior, toxicity, and insecurities in affection and love.
20 Signs Of A Toxic Girlfriend That Might Be Hard To Recognize
She’s Not Honest
Honesty is an essential ingredient of any healthy and successful relationship. However, honesty is a virtue that toxic people lack.
So, if your girlfriend has the habit of making all kinds of blatant excuses and telling you ‘white lies,’ which may appear harmless, but in fact can harm a relationship, to justify herself whenever you catch her in a tight spot, this indicates that honesty is the last thing you can expect from her.
Being in a relationship with someone who’s not honest makes you wonder if they’re honest about their feelings for you and intentions and plans when it comes to the future of your relationship, which can drain you out.
She Tries To Isolate You From Your Loved Ones
Does your girlfriend have the habit of throwing temper tantrums, acting like a spoiled kid, or even crying and emotionally blackmailing you whenever you have to go out and hang out with your friends or family?
If your answer is yes, know that this isn’t a good sign. This is how clingy people behave, and clinginess is one of the main personality traits of toxic individuals.
She Counts Your Mistakes
We all make mistakes, right? But we also try to correct them and make it up to the person we’ve done wrong. However, dating a toxic girlfriend means dating someone who is constantly keeping score of all the mistakes you’ve made and all the fights, whether minor or bitter, you’ve had and she uses every opportunity that might arise to remind you of them, which causes you to have the same fights time and time again.
Being in a relationship with someone who often criticizes you and repeatedly makes you carry the baggage of their resentment is a clear sign you’re dating a toxic person.
She Doesn’t Respect Your Needs
One common sign that reveals you’re in a relationship with a toxic person is if your needs are always disregarded. If your girlfriend makes your physical, emotional, financial, or social needs feel unimportant and constantly prioritizes her needs over your own, this is a clear sign you’re dealing with a toxic girlfriend.
She Doesn’t Reciprocate Your Efforts
One of the most common signs that reveal you’re dating a toxic girlfriend is if she expects you to be the only one doing all the hard work in your relationship. She might have set high standards for you and have unreasonable expectations of how you should treat but refuses to follow the rules she applies to you.
Being in a relationship with a girlfriend that is only interested in taking and never in giving is a telltale sign your relationship is toxic.
She Makes An Elephant Out Of A Fly
Does your girlfriend have a tendency to exaggerate and make things more serious than they really are? Let’s say, she asked you to throw out the garbage and you forgot. Or she wanted to eat ice cream for dessert and you bought her a chocolate cake. Or she wanted to go to a particular party but you couldn’t accompany her because you had to finish an important project at work.
Well, when you’re in a relationship with someone who is supportive, forgiving, and understands your needs, things like these are not a big deal. But when you’re dating a toxic person, they may feel like the end of the world. So, if your girlfriend has the habit of throwing a hissy fit and making you feel incompetent, or even stupid whenever you forget to do something she asked you to do or make a mistake, take this as a sign that she’s toxic.
She Often Displays Controlling Behaviors
Does your girlfriend like telling you what people you should hang out with, what clothes you should wear, what goals you should set for yourself, what diet you should follow, how much alcohol you’re “allowed” to drink, or even what career you should pursue?
If your answer is yes, take this as a sign that she is toxic, as toxic individuals enjoy controlling every aspect of other people’s lives.
She Acts Like She’s Always Right
Toxic people don’t like admitting their mistakes and taking responsibility for their actions. They may hurt your feelings, lie to you, or manipulate you, but they’ll never admit doing that.
Sentences such as “I’m sorry,” “I know I shouldn’t have told you those things, and I feel horrible about that,” or “Please, forgive me,” are something you’ll never hear come out of their mouths. Because, in their view, whatever they say and do, they’re always right. They know the best. They’re perfect.
So, if your girlfriend fits this description, this is a sure sign she is toxic.
She’s Never There When You Need Her The Most
A toxic girlfriend can text you or call you a thousand times a day, or even appear at your door if she needs your support or help with something. But when it’s you who want to vent your frustrations, share your problems, or talk about how you spend the day at work, she’ll withdraw emotionally and become distant. A toxic girlfriend is never there when you need her support or help.
She’s Overly Critical
Offering your partner constructive criticism since you have their best interests at heart and you want them to become the best version of themselves is normal and a good thing. But it’s a totally different story when you are constantly nagging your partner about their flaws, insecurities, or annoying habits. This is not constructive criticism. It’s unjustifiable and hostile criticism that’s designed to undermine and belittle the other person.
So, if your girlfriend frequently criticizes you for your weaknesses and that criticism is accompanied by a fair amount of resentment and sarcasm, this is a sure sign of toxicity.
You Constantly Have To Prove Yourself To Her
Any healthy and successful relationship is built upon a foundation of mutual trust. But in order to know that you can have absolute trust in your partner, it doesn’t mean that you need to secretly check their phone or constantly ask them about their whereabouts and who they are spending time with.
This is exactly what toxic females do. A toxic girlfriend will have a hard time trusting you, which is why you’ll often find her accusing you of lying and being unfaithful.
So, if the woman you’re dating fits this description and expects you to constantly prove your loyalty to her, this is a telltale sign she’s toxic.
She Doesn’t Respect Your Need For Privacy
Have you ever caught your girlfriend going through your emails, checking your phone, or eavesdropping on your conversations with your friends? Does she insist that you spend time with her 24/7?
If you answered with a yes, know this is an unmistakable sign of toxicity. Since when you’re dating someone who is genuinely nice, compassionate, supportive, and truly cares about you, they’ll respect your need for privacy. They’ll understand that you need space to do things you enjoy doing, and they won’t expect you to devote all of your attention to them.
She Has Frequent Mood Swings
I’m not referring to the mood swings women have when having PMS. A toxic girlfriend has mood swings on a daily basis, often without any obvious reason. The moment you say something she doesn’t like or do something she doesn’t appreciate, she becomes grumpy and upset. And you end up apologizing, even for things that are not your fault, and trying to make it up to her somehow. Well, that’s exactly how a toxic girlfriend wants you to behave.
She Insults You
When dating a toxic person, it’s not uncommon to start having low self-esteem and feel like a total loser who can’t do anything right due to the way the toxic person talks to you. To win an argument or when she’s running out of excuses, a toxic girlfriend will begin saying hurtful things to you. She’ll make snide and sarcastic comments about your vulnerabilities, fears, and flaws. Toxic people often display this type of behavior.
She Doesn’t Follow The Same Rules She’s Set For You
You can be quite sure you’re in a relationship with a toxic girlfriend if she has double standards. For instance, she may insist that you stop hanging out with your female friends while she keeps hanging out with her male friends. Or she may insist that she know all of your passwords on social media and emails but she has no intention of allowing you to know hers.
If this is how your girlfriend behaves, take this as a sign you’re dealing with a toxic person.
She Avoids Being Intimate With You As A Way To Punish You
Let’s say you’ve said or did something that hurt her feelings, which can often happen when you’re dating a toxic individual. The question is: Does she have an open conversation with you so as to tell you how your actions made her feel or does she keep quiet about it and become distant and cold?
If your girlfriend withdraws and becomes cold and distant and avoids being intimate with you whenever you make a mistake, fail to fulfill a promise you made, or do something that hurts her feelings, this is a sure sign she’s toxic because this is how toxic and manipulative girlfriends tend to behave. A toxic girlfriend will stonewall you and give you the silent treatment until you figure out what it was you did that upset her, apologize, and make it up to her.
It’s Her Way Or The Highway
Do you have the impression that your girlfriend always gets her way? Whether it’s deciding what movie to watch on Saturday night or what step you should take next in your career, her opinion always prevails.
Dating this type of woman can be overwhelming, draining, and frustrating since she makes you feel unheard, unimportant, and invisible. She makes you feel like you’re inferior to her. A relationship with such a woman is bound to fail sooner or later.
She Doesn’t Appreciate You
One telltale sign that shows a person truly loves you and cares about you is if they go out of their way to make you feel cherished and appreciated.
But when you’re dating a toxic female, you don’t get to feel this way since she takes you for granted. You never feel appreciated for all the things, whether small or big, you do for her. You rarely hear the words, “Thank you,” “Oh, you’re so kind,” or “That’s very thoughtful of you.” Even if she expresses gratitude or appreciation for something you did for her, there’s a reason behind that – she’s acting nice just because she wants to get something from you.
She Wants To Always Have You Around
She may pick fights with you or give you the silent treatment, but she can’t stand when you’re not around. While there’s nothing wrong with wanting to spend quality time with your partner and have them around when you need help or emotional support, it’s very unhealthy when you feel the need to constantly have them around. As we already said, clinginess is one of the most common traits of toxic people.
She Considers You The Only Source Of Her Happiness
Of course, in healthy relationships, it’s normal for partners to want to make each other happy, content, and fulfilled. It’s normal for them to complete and complement each other. However, when you’re in a relationship with someone toxic, things are a little bit different. A toxic girlfriend will make you the main focus of her life and depend on you for her happiness. And if you fail to live up to these expectations, she’ll see this as a betrayal.
How Do You Break Up With A Toxic Girlfriend?
Unless a romantic relationship makes you feel happy and emotionally fulfilled, what’s the point of staying in one? Moreover, staying in a toxic relationship can negatively affect your self-esteem and overall health. So, if you’re dating a toxic girlfriend and you’ve done everything in your power to encourage her to change and see how her actions affect you, and yet nothing has changed, so you’re now considering putting an end to the relationship, here are several ways you can break up with her:
Cut off all communication with her and take the time you need to process the breakup and heal.
If you can’t abruptly end things with her, distance yourself gradually from her.
Before you break up, think about all the things you want to say to your girlfriend and how you want to say them so that you avoid creating any ambiguity regarding the status of your relationship.
Once you’ve decided that you need to end the relationship, don’t put it off.
Stick to your decision to end the relationship and don’t let her make you change your mind about it if she tries to.
Break up in person.
Make sure you have reliable support after you break up with her. To deal with the negative emotions and pain following the breakup, it’s important and comforting to know that you have someone by your side that is there for you and will help you come to terms with the breakup and move on.
In order to leave the toxic relationship in your past and move on with your life unaffected by it, it’s essential to forgive your partner and yourself as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are Toxic Behaviors?
Over the course of life, we get to meet different types of people. Some are nice, compassionate, and caring. They exude positive energy and bring happiness and a sense of fulfillment into our lives. Others are inauthentic, envious, judgmental, and manipulative. They do nothing but hold us back, cause problems in our lives, and prevent us from being happy and the best version of ourselves. These behaviors are rightfully considered toxic since they negatively affect our well-being and mental health.
Toxic behaviors have the power to make you feel stressed, mentally and physically drained, and suck the happiness out of you. Knowing how to deal with people that display toxic behaviors can help protect your overall health and change the way you perceive and interact with those around you.
What Is Toxic Behavior In A Relationship?
Undeniably, all couples experience difficulties in their relationships and go through ups and downs. When you’re in a healthy relationship, having disagreements and arguments from time to time is normal. However, in this type of relationship, both partners are willing to put in the work for their relationship to succeed, openly discuss any issues that may appear, make important decisions together, and enjoy being around each other.
When you’re in a relationship with someone who shows toxic behaviors, well, that’s a completely different story. In this type of relationship, you may often feel stressed, overwhelmed, and drained when around your partner or after spending time with them. You might even dread the thought of spending time with them due to the way they make you feel and the constant arguments you have.
In what follows, we’ve presented the most common toxic behaviors in a relationship.
Toxic Communication
Being in a relationship with someone you have toxic communication with means that the majority of your conversations are characterized by heavy criticism or sarcasm and fueled by hatred.
So, if you’ve often caught your partner making snide or sarcastic comments about you, even in front of others, or if they overly criticize your decisions, choices, or simply the way you live your life, you can take this as a clear sign you’re in a toxic relationship.
Controlling Behaviors
Controlling behavior is one of the most common types of toxic behavior. If your partner constantly insists that you inform them of your whereabouts or become irritated or angry when you don’t answer their calls or texts right away, this may be a sign that they’re trying to control you.
Lack Of Support
When you’re in a healthy relationship with someone, both of you feel the need and a desire to support and encourage each other. You make sure you meet each other’s needs and help each other become the best versions of yourselves and succeed in life. On the other hand, you and/or your partner never get to behave these ways when one or both of you displays toxic behaviors.
Jealousy
When you’re in a relationship with someone you truly love, it’s normal to feel jealous occasionally. But when you and your partner constantly face this problem, which often leads to mistrust, angry fights, and suspicion, it can be classified as toxic behavior.
Disrespect
Does your partner often forget important events or dates and have trouble keeping their promises? If you answered with a yes, know this is a serious red flag in a relationship. It’s a toxic behavior known as disrespect.
Resentment
If you’re in a relationship where you and your partner tend to hold grudges against each other instead of openly discussing your relationship problems, trying to solve them maturely and calmly, and speaking up when something upsets you or hurts your feelings, this may indicate that your relationship is toxic.
Ignoring Your Needs
When you’re in a healthy relationship with someone, your needs are never disregarded, which is exactly what happens when you’re in a toxic romantic relationship. So, if you’re with someone who rarely asks for your opinion when making important decisions or planning a trip, holiday, or date or seldom shows interest in your personal problems, take this as a sign that they are ignoring your needs.
Dishonesty
If you’ve often caught your partner lying to you about their whereabouts or who they’re hanging out with since they wanted to avoid spending time with you or they worried about how you’d react if they told you the truth, chances are you’re in a relationship with someone who is dishonest.
What Does A Toxic Woman Mean?
If you know a woman, be it a friend, family member, relative, co-worker, or even your partner, that’s hard to deal with and causes a lot of problems and conflict in your life, this may be a sign that you’re dealing with a toxic woman. Toxic people can make you feel stressed, overwhelmed, and drained after spending time with them. Depending on how negatively they influence your life, they can also cause you emotional and physical pain.
A toxic woman is any woman that creates unpleasantness for you, brings negativity into your life, and makes you feel stressed and emotionally, physically, or mentally drained after spending time with her. This type of woman acts in toxic ways and if you’re not able to recognize you’re dealing with one or how to handle her negativity and toxicity, this can have a highly negative effect on your well-being and health.
So, the main question that arises here is: How can you tell if a woman is toxic?
In what follows, we’ve presented several warning signs that show you’re dealing with a toxic woman:
Her behavior constantly makes you feel confused.
You never feel comfortable and your best yourself when around her.
You feel like she’s manipulating you into doing something you don’t want to do.
When she says or does something that hurts your feelings and she’s aware of that, she never apologizes.
You feel like you’re walking on eggshells when she is around.
She disrespects your needs and boundaries.
You often feel like you have to defend yourself to her.
She always needs your support, but she’s not supportive of you.
You consistently feel stressed, uneasy, overwhelmed, or even bad about yourself when spending time with her.
Whenever you are around her, there’s always drama.
What Does A Toxic Girl Do?
Recognizing that you’re dealing with a toxic girl can sometimes be quite hard. So, in what follows, we’ve presented the most common subtle signs you’re dealing with this type of girl.
She Doesn’t Respect Your Boundaries
If you’ve been clear with her about your needs and she simply continues to treat you in ways that show she couldn’t care less about them and if she acts like she doesn’t understand how important having time to yourself to you is, it’s likely that you’re dealing with a toxic girl.
She Always Needs Something From You
If you’ve noticed that she constantly texts you, calls you, or even shows up at your place to ask for your help or emotional support, but when it’s you who need her support or help, she’s nowhere to be found, take this as a clear sign that she is toxic.
She Manipulates You
Toxic individuals know various ways to manipulate you in order to get what they want. They may sugarcoat things, leave out information, exaggerate, and lie just to make you have a certain opinion of them or act in ways that suit their needs. So, if there’s a girl in your life who fits this description, sorry, but she’s toxic.
She Keeps You Wondering Which Version Of Her You’re Getting
She can be lovely and super nice one day and the next she can be rude and inconsiderate. Oftentimes, you can’t find any reason why she’d change her behavior toward you, but you simply know that something isn’t right. Even when you ask her what’s wrong and whether she is sad or cranky because of something you said or did, you never get a clear answer. What you get is a simple “I’m fine.”
So, when this happens, you often end up apologizing to her, making excuses for her, and trying to please her, which is exactly how she wants you to behave.
She Leaves Your Conversations Unfinished
If a girl you know tends to leave your conversations unfinished, especially when you’re trying to talk about something important to her, like the reason why she’s treating you unfairly, avoids answering your calls and texts, and keeps you guessing what you might have done to upset her, it’s likely you’re dealing with a toxic girlfriend. Since a girl who is genuinely nice, honest, and truly cares about you will never let you feel sad or miserable without attempting to resolve whatever problem the two of you might have.
What Does A Toxic Wife Look Like?
You are married and suspecting your wife might be toxic? Here are several signs that show she is truly toxic:
She disregards your thoughts and opinions.
She interferes with your decisions.
She tries to control every aspect of your life.
She disrespects your boundaries.
She avoids admitting her mistakes and taking responsibility for her actions.
She keeps score of your mistakes, broken promises, and failures.
She keeps secrets from you.
She’s overly critical.
She makes you feel insecure, unheard, and unappreciated.
Intimacy is withdrawn or doesn’t exist at all.
You often fight.
She’s never willing to compromise.
She ignores your need for privacy and personal space.
She tries to sabotage your efforts to grow personally, pursue your goals, and become more successful since she’s afraid you’ll one-up her.
She tries to isolate you from others.
How Do I Know If I’m The Toxic One In The Relationship?
Have you ever heard the saying: “It takes two people to make a relationship toxic? Well, some people can be toxic without being aware of it. So, what if you are the toxic one in the relationship? If you can relate to the following descriptions, take this as a sign that it’s not your partner who is toxic – you are!
You treat your partner like they’re inferior to you.
You manipulate them by lying to them, gaslighting them, stonewalling them, and hiding information from them.
You don’t respect their need for personal space.
You prioritize your needs over their own.
You’re hyper-critical.
You say hurtful things to them.
You’re not supportive and affectionate.
You avoid putting in the effort to solve your relationship problems together with your partner.
You frequently pick fights.
You like playing the blame game more than taking responsibility for your actions.
Let’s get one thing straight: Keeping your relationship private is the right thing to do. Keeping it a secret is wrong!
For a lot of people, the clearest sign that they are in a relationship or in love with someone is ceaselessly talking about them. For instance, you could be sharing your own problems with someone, and they’ll search for a way to shift the topic from your problems to their girlfriend or boyfriend.
On the other hand, there are many people who don’t like bragging or talking about their relationships with others, including their friends and family.
We’d like to emphasize that it’s completely normal and fine if you want to keep your relationship private. However, you need to ensure that you’re keeping it private and not a secret since there’s a huge difference between a private and a secret relationship.
So, the main question that arises here is: What does keeping a relationship private but not a secret mean?
Keeping your relationship private means that although you don’t like putting it out there and sharing details about it with others all the time, you still never lie about your relationship status, meaning when someone asks you if you’re in a relationship, you say yes. However, that conversation ends here because that’s the only thing you let them know.
A private lie detector test can be beneficial for couples seeking the truth about their relationship. If there is doubt or suspicion of infidelity, this type of exam can help confirm one’s suspicions or strengthen the trust between them. The test results allow both parties to move forward with clarity and understanding, knowing they accurately represent reality.
Keeping your relationship private also means that you don’t inform your friends about what you and your partner are doing when spending time together or about every time you have sex with them. It means you don’t go to your parents to complain about every fight you and your partner might have and share the tiniest details about it with them. It means that you don’t show every present your bae got you on social media.
On the other hand, if no one knows that you’re dating someone and if you never confirm that you’re in a relationship when others ask you if you are, then this means you’re keeping your relationship secret.
Keeping your relationship secret may mean that you’re thinking about cheating on your partner or trying to hook up with someone by making them think you’re rolling solo when you’re actually not.
Keeping your relationship secret can also make others think that the reason you’re doing this is that you are keeping secrets from your partner or that you’re ashamed of them, no matter if they’re right or wrong about this.
Should A Relationship Be Kept Private?
Absolutely yes. There’s something unique and precious about keeping your relationship private. Not bragging about your relationship or showing it off on social media doesn’t mean that you’re afraid of others finding out you’re in a relationship or who your partner is. It simply means that you want to keep your relationship to yourself. It means you don’t want to share details about it with your family, friends, and acquaintances and give others the opportunity to form opinions and comment on your relationship.
So, here are 5 reasons why keeping your relationship private is a good and wise thing to do:
1. Not Everyone Will Be Glad To Know You’re Happy
You need to keep one thing in mind: Not every person you know likes you and not everyone will be glad to know you’re in a happy relationship. This might sound harsh, but it’s the truth. There will always be someone who doesn’t like you or envies you and is jealous of you. There will always be someone who wants to cause problems in your life.
So, the less others know how you’re doing in life or what your relationship status is, the less they’ll have a chance to interfere with your life.
2. It’ll Protect You From Dealing With Unnecessary Opinions
No one wants to deal with or have to tolerate the opinions of people that have nothing to do with your life. Unfortunately, this is something that has happened to us many times. Whether it’s our education status, friendships, career choices, political views, or you name it, we’ve been put in many situations where we’ve had to listen to others share their prejudiced opinions. Well, people love talking about others’ romantic relationships as well.
So, by keeping your relationship private, you’ll prevent others from forming all kinds of opinions about it and interfering with your life.
3. It Prevents Your Ex From Interfering With Your Love Life
You probably broke up with your ex since you stopped loving them or they treated you badly and you could no longer put up with it. And the breakup was probably difficult too and you had to make efforts to come to terms with it and move on with your life.
So, if I’m right about all this, why would you want your ex to know what’s going on in your love life? Just think about it – perhaps they are still hoping they can get back together with you. Or perhaps they’re making plans how to make things hard for you and ruin your relationship.
So, the less your ex knows what your love life is like, the better. Just remember-keep your relationship is private, but don’t keep your significant other a secret.
4. It Strengthens Your Relationship
Keeping your relationship private allows you and your partner to grow closer and connect more deeply. It allows you to enjoy every moment you spend together while preventing others from commenting on your relationship and peeking into your love lives.
When you don’t show off your relationship on social media and brag about it in front of others, you allow it to flourish and become deeper, more meaningful, and more fulfilling.
5. It Makes It Easier For You To Move On Once You Break Up With Your Partner
First of all, let’s hope that you and your partner are meant to stay together forever. But imagine what would happen if you break up? If you allowed others to like and comment on your and your bae’s selfies on social media while the two of you were together, then you have no right to expect them that they won’t comment on and try to peek into your love life after the two of you break up.
Going through a breakup is a difficult and painful thing on its own. You don’t need to deal with other people’s unnecessary questions, comments, and opinions about your breakup. You don’t need to bring more drama into your life. So, this is why keeping your relationship private will help you move on more easily with your life when you and your partner break up.
What’s The Difference Between Keeping Your Relationship Private And Keeping It A Secret?
Here are the 8 main differences between keeping your relationship private and keeping it a secret:
1. When You’re Asked If You’re In A Relationship, You Answer You’re Single
Of course, when someone asks you whether you’re dating anyone, they don’t expect you to tell them everything about your relationship or show them photos of your partner. However, saying that you’re still rolling solo when you are not is wrong and disrespectful. Whether you’re hiding your relationship status since you’re worried about what your friends will think of your partner or you’ve recently met someone you’ve started having feelings for, keeping your relationship secret is bad and it’s something your partner wouldn’t approve of for sure.
2. You Avoid Mentioning Your Partner On Purpose
Every time someone asks you something about your partner, you avoid mentioning them by shifting the topic to something else. Even when you’re talking about a situation or event your partner was involved in, you tend to start every sentence with “I” rather than “we.”
While it’s okay to not want to share every detail about your love life with others, going out of your way to avoid mentioning your partner and hide the fact that you’re in a relationship with someone is utterly wrong and you’re aware of it. That means you’re keeping your relationship secret.
3. You Haven’t Introduced Your Partner To Your Loved Ones Yet
If you’ve been in a relationship for a year or so, and neither your friends nor your family, (let alone your colleagues and other acquaintances), has met your partner, then there’s something weird going on between the two of you. Perhaps you’ve been avoiding introducing your partner to your loved ones since you’re not sure whether they’re the one or you’re worried about what they might think of them. Anyways, it’s time to ask yourself why your loved ones still don’t know who your partner is.
4. You Don’t Share Photos Of Your Partner On Social Media
Of course, you don’t need to post selfies of you and your significant other on Facebook or Instagram every day or every week. But if you’re active on social media and post statuses and photos of yourself, including your friends, then it’s certainly not a coincidence that there’s no trace of your bae on your Facebook or Instagram profile. Again, this is a clear sign that you’re trying to keep your relationship secret.
5. You Don’t Show Your Partner Affection In Public
Do you pretend you’re looking somewhere else when your partner tries to kiss you on the cheek or lips on the subway? Or do you let go of their hand when they gently squeeze yours at a restaurant?
Well, if you answered these questions with a yes, know this is not normal. Of course, it’s not that you and your partner need to stick your tongues down each other’s throats or do any “more inappropriate things” when in public. However, not showing any sign of affection doesn’t indicate that you’re keeping your relationship private. It means you’re keeping it secret.
6. You Don’t Call Your Partner “Babe” Or “Honey” In Front Of Others
If you’ve already introduced your partner to your family, friends, and co-workers, did you introduce them as your “friend?” Or do you call them by their first name or “buddy” instead of calling them “honey,” “sweetheart,” or “babe” when you’re around other people?
If you answered the questions with a yes, then it’s more than obvious you’re keeping your relationship a secret. If you and your partner don’t feel comfortable using labels yet, at least introduce them and refer to them by their first name. Never call them “buddy.” It’s insensitive.
7. You’re The Only One Secretive About Your Relationship
If both you and your partner have agreed that you still don’t want others to know you’re dating, that’s fine. It means you’re on the same page when it comes to revealing your relationship status. But if your partner proudly lets everyone know you’re together while you’re doing everything in your power to hide that fact, then they most likely feel bad about how you’re acting.
8. You Don’t Let Your Partner Post Photos Of You On Social Media
If you’re not active on Facebook or Instagram, that’s fine and understandable. However, if you don’t let your partner post photos of you two on social media or you untag yourself when they do, well, it gets weird.
If you don’t like others to see photos of you on social media, tell that to your partner because otherwise it only appears that you’re trying to hide the fact that you’re in a relationship.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Does My Boyfriend Want To Keep Our Relationship Private?
There could be several reasons for that and, in what follows, we’ve presented some of them:
He doesn’t like or feel comfortable sharing his private life with others.
He doesn’t want others to know what’s going on in his love life.
He doesn’t want others to comment on your relationship.
He thinks that if you put your relationship out there, this will have a negative effect on your emotional intimacy and bond.
He might not be sure how he feels about you.
He might not know where your relationship is going.
Why Does My Boyfriend Keep Me A Secret On Social Media?
If your boyfriend is keeping you a secret on social media, there may be a cause for worry. He might be doing this due to the following reasons:
He’s committed to someone else, so he’s trying to keep you as a secret backdoor girlfriend.
His friends don’t like you.
He still has feelings for his ex.
He’s afraid of commitment.
He thinks his parents or friends won’t approve of your relationship.
He’s recently broken up with some girl and doesn’t want others, including her, to know he’s dating again.
He doesn’t want others to influence your relationship.
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