7 Stages of Toxic Love: Recognizing the Red Flags Before It’s Too Late

Are you in a toxic relationship but unsure where you stand? This video will guide you through the 7 stages of a toxic relationship, helping you recognize red flags early and avoid emotional damage. By understanding these stages, you can better protect yourself and create healthier relationships. Watch to learn the key signs and prevent further harm. For more insights on relationships, check out our videos on 'How to Get Over Someone' and 'Obsessive Love.'

Writer: Chloe Avenasa
Script Editor & Manager: Kelly Soong
Voice Over: Amanda Silvera ( / amandasilvera )
Animator: Zuzia
Youtube Manager: Cindy Cheong

Timestamps:
1. (00:00) Toxic relationships trap you with manipulation and confusion.
2. (00:33) Stage 1: Idealization - Everything feels perfect, but it’s a trap. 💐
3. (01:49) Stage 2: Devaluation - They start criticizing and controlling you. 😔
4. (02:23) Stage 3: Manipulation - Twisting the truth and making you feel guilty. 🧠
5. (03:02) Stage 4: Isolation - They cut you off from loved ones. 🌪
6. (03:40) Stage 5: Reverse Discard - They push you to break up and play the victim. 🎭
7. (04:51) Stage 6: Direct Discard - They discard you abruptly. 😨
8. (06:02) Stage 7: Healing - Recovery begins when you break free. 💪

Further Readings:

This project includes incredible sound design by Spencer. As we grow as a community, we’re excited to collaborate with talented artists from around the world who have amazing stories to share. We love working with people who have unique journeys, because that’s when their work truly shines. Feel free to connect with Spencer in his socials above.

More about Spencer here: Lisbon-based Musician, Audio Engineer, and Voiceover Artist, Spencer Zachary is a Bay Area California native intent on making art that spotlights self development, sensitivity, openness, understanding and presence.

Previous titles: When Love Turns Toxic: How to Recognize the Red Flags

[Psychgo]

Yesterday, we shared a video on 'How to Get Over Someone, ' and before that, 'What Obsessive Love Looks Like.' Our goal is to raise awareness about toxic patterns that can be hard to see when you're in love. While letting go is difficult, recognizing red flags early can make all the difference. This video is designed to help you spot these signs before it's too late, especially if you're starting a new relationship. We hope it provides clarity and support on your journey toward healthier connections.

[PosiMind]

Summary for anyone who needs it:
1. (00:00) Toxic relationships trap you with manipulation and confusion.
2. (00:33) Stage 1: Idealization - Everything feels perfect, but it’s a trap. 💐
3. (01:49) Stage 2: Devaluation - They start criticizing and controlling you. 😔
4. (02:23) Stage 3: Manipulation - Twisting the truth and making you feel guilty. 🧠
5. (03:02) Stage 4: Isolation - They cut you off from loved ones. 🌪
6. (03:40) Stage 5: Reverse Discard - They push you to break up and play the victim. 🎭
7. (04:51) Stage 6: Direct Discard - They discard you abruptly. 😨
8. (06:02) Stage 7: Healing - Recovery begins when you break free. 💪

[MichaelMolli]

Been there, suffered a lot, survived, alone now.

[KingDmike]

The timings of these are wild but a good wake up call

[matthewkincanon]

Was in a toxic relationship several years ago and was abruptly discarded. Those who have experienced this, remember that they did it for their own selfish reasons. It wasn’t because you weren’t “good enough” it was because they either felt they couldn’t get much use out of you anymore, you saw their ego take a blow, or because you’re in the way.

The right person sees your value, accepts every little thing about you (even the bits you’re insecure about), and treats you like a best friend rather than a means to an end. Keep your head up, take time to heal and love yourself again, take that relationship and turn it into understanding what you want and don’t want in a relationship, and don’t sell yourself short.

You building yourself back up and finding your true love without losing yourself is how you win the end. It’s how you free yourself from their power

[jtrujillo]

I'm wayyy-way over my abusive ex.. whom I married.. and yes, this video is absolutely the true things a person can single-handedly do to ruin someone.. so listen and be careful .. your stronger than you know, especially against them 💋

[nadiaharrison]

I love that you guys included the healing stage ❤
I went through this in a relationship that lasted for five years and it took away every last bit of me. During the end I wasn't a person anymore and was disgarded, because I never would have left on my own.
To anyone who is going through or has been through this, don't give up on yourself. It actually does get better.
For me, it took 2 years of intense therapy after the relationship ended and I am definitely still on the healing journey. But I am so thankful that I held on. I am now in the most beautiful relationship and so many things in my life have improved. I feel like it is finally my turn to have things go right and am so thankful, that I get to experience it.

[nessiebwur]

Been there. Recently left, struggle to stay positive, kept feeling bad for him, reminded myself that it isn’t my fault, was guilt tripped, and almost got completely isolated from my own family. I am so glad I am out of there. I just hate that my mind takes me back there….

[Aurora-dlulu]

I've meeted some of these toxic relations and I regretted it so much 😔 I've been suffering a lot but now, it's done I'll avoid them even they keep trying to get me 💝

[stevensings]

My relationship ended 2 days ago. It wasn’t like these things at all but she wanted me but on her terms. She is a great person but not right for me. It definitely wasn’t toxic but i felt like I wasn’t being myself and having to overthink every situation. I did the right thing in the long run for both of us I do hope I find someone and her. It wasnt a proper relationship

[pomni.s_insanity]

tbh, for those who are in this situation, probably, i wish you the best because from my experience, it messed me up mentally but it's nice to reform my perspective on what i want from someone who isn't bad like my ex so yeah.

[farihashams]

I almost died because of that relationship. He was a narcissistic man. I dont know what did i do to deserve all these. Glad, Im out of that hell. Pray for me so that i can heal. ❤️‍🩹

[doctor_uno]

Went through that, all the way. It was horrible. The pain was unbearable. Got diagnosed with depression and autism even, now I'm alone minding my own stuff, studying hard to get where I want to be. Great video

[SaltyMaud]

Relationships can go toxic between two well meaning participants after enough wrong turns, especially if anxious/avoidant participants are involved. It's a bit of a dangerous cop-out to write off any signs of a toxic relationship as them being a "narcissistic manipulator" and deflecting any responsibility for your own involvement in the relationship. While enough of these signs could point to a manipulative partner, they could equally just be maladaptation stemming from other insecurities, trauma, or other stressors more than malice. No one can make it your responsibility to "fix them", but sometimes extra patience and compassion is the answer to taming challenging partners. If your intuition says someone is bad for you, you could be right, but once you put that label on someone, consider it your resignation from the relationship.

[cj]

It’s actually insane to see this. I was in a toxic relationship for about a year and a half and I only realised it was toxic after the breakup when I actually started telling my best and only friend at the time what actually happened and what he did to me.

[igi-risu]

Thanks to therapy, support workshops and emotional healing groups I’ve not experienced a toxic relationship in nearly 3 years. These resources helped me develop discernment, mindfulness, and the ability to value myself/wellbeing enough to walk away from anyone who’s toxic/abusive.

As of now I’m in the “rage phase” of recovery where I’m working to properly process the anger and resentment I’m experiencing in response to the mistreatment I endured prior recovery. It’s hard but difficult doesn’t mean impossible and I hope anyone navigating toxic relationships will be able to break free and receive the same help I did.❤

[squidleystudios]

I'd just like to say thanks for these videos, they really helped me recognize just how badly I had been treated in toxic relationships, and that really helped me take my first steps towards healing and growing from those experiences. It's been a lot of hard work to get to that point, but acknowledging there's a problem in the first place is sometimes the hardest step, and these videos have helped me get to a better place mentally.

[missunflower]

This videos gives so much closure❤😢 Makes me feel okay. Im not crazy. I felt that way because of constantly hearing it

[loca]

Time stamps
0:39 Stage 1: Idealization
1:16 Stage 2: Devaluation
2:12 Stage 3: Manipulation
2:55 Stage 4: Isolation
3:34 Stage 5: Reverse discard
4:45 Stage 6: Direct discard
5:51 Stage 7: Healing

Take care everyone <3

[joeyfigueroa]

True title: Narcissistic relationship: recognize the signs.

It’s crazy that this was just posted. I just got out of a relationship with a narcissist about a week ago. I’ve known this girl since second grade (14 years) It was the roughest year and nine months of my life. Exactly how this video is lined up was how events went down. She even had me convinced my entire immediate family was toxic and I left them, along with all of my friends too, for her. Her own family warned me, along with mine, and my friends. I didn’t listen because I was blinded by love. Once I left, I felt better. But then I immediately got blamed for her self harm, for abandoning her, and was basically told I was toxic. Which led to my guilt, confusion, and depression. Luckily, all of those people I left behind for her, took me back in with welcoming arms, and told me about their relationships and that I’m not alone. But I’ll be honest, even with a good support system, it’s still very rough on me.