Tired or toxic?
Every long relationship has quiet seasons. Some patterns are something else, and they deserve real help rather than a book.
Usually routine
- • You feel distant, bored or overloaded, and you both still feel safe to disagree.
- • Small moves (attention, touch, novelty) make a difference.
- • You can say no without fear of what happens next.
Signs to take seriously
- • You feel afraid of your partner's reactions.
- • Your partner controls your money, phone, friends or where you go.
- • There are threats, humiliation, pushing, hitting or forced intimacy.
- • You change what you say to avoid an explosion.
Where to get help
- United States
- National Domestic Violence Hotline · 1-800-799-7233 · text START to 88788 · thehotline.org
- United Kingdom
- National Domestic Abuse Helpline (Refuge) · 0808 2000 247 · free, 24/7
- Australia
- 1800RESPECT · 1800 737 732
- Canada
- Find shelters and crisis lines near you at sheltersafe.ca
- Anywhere
- If you're in immediate danger, call your local emergency number.