*Disclaimer from the creators of the video: this video is not meant for diagnosis, treatment, or personally attacking anyone. This video is not made to belittle anyone who may display or relate to these signs, but rather to understand and bring more awareness to the topic! If you or someone you know may be struggling, don’t hesitate to seek professional help from trusted professionals. If you have experienced emotional or physical abuse, the following post could be potentially triggering.

Every family has a story—deeply-rooted triggers and woundedness—being passed down (whether we like it or not).

I guess you could say that dysfunction is no stranger to the close-knit quarters of a childhood home.

But it’s not always unhealthy; sometimes it could be healthy fighting or the growing pains of setting healthy boundaries.

So, how can we tell the difference?

“A toxic family is one that thrives on behaviors and relationships which infiltrate negativity into every part of your life. Becoming detrimental to mental, emotional, and even physical health.” ~ Psych2Go

Here are a few telling factors of a toxic environment:

1. They do not allow you to express your individuality

2. There is always some drama going on

3. You are asked to lie about things that happen at home

4. They exert control over you

5. They don’t recognize your space and boundaries

6. They constantly belittle you

The video below goes into greater detail. The comments on it might hit home for you:

>> “I think the worst part of living in a toxic environment is that most people can’t escape it. The one thing left to do is to muster the strength and do their best to come out unaffected.”

>> “It’s quite annoying to deal with the cycle of not seeing your own worth. No matter how many people outside of your family tell you that you are great, or no matter how many times you tell yourself that you are great and that those words your parents say to you do not define you, I always find myself back in that cycle of questioning myself and saying “am I really that dumb/useless?” and sometimes even assume what people think about me when they are around me.

I cannot wait to see the person I become without having to be around them and see what I can really achieve.”

~

If you relate to this video, we have also left a list of hotlines below you or a loved one can use to seek help for abuse. Resources:

National Child Abuse Hotline (U.S. and Canada): 800-4-A-CHILD (800-422-4453)

National Domestic Abuse Hotline: 800-799-SAFE (800-799-7233) TTY: 800-787-3224

Video Phone for Deaf Callers: 206-518-9361

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-TALK (800-273-8255) TTY: 800-799-4TTY (800-799-4889)

Crisis Text Line: Text HELLO to 741741 (U.S. and Canada) or 85258 (UK)

National Runaway Switchboard: 800-RUNAWAY (800-786-2929)