Issue 6 Page 2

Seventy-six percent of teens experience a toxic relationship, according to youth.gov.

Senior Alivia Turner is one of them.

She was in all her effort into the relationship, but still wondered if she was doing enough.

“Whenever I had an issue or something, it would get pushed to the side to talk about the other person’s issues,” Turner said. “I was never told I was loved and I was hardly complimented.” 

Some don’t even realize how toxic the relationship is until it becomes a real problem.

It starts with thinking your significant other is perfect and the rush of dopamine when you’re with them.

Around three to six months, the excitement wears off and the relationship starts to change.

“The relationship was very one-sided and manipulative,” sophomore Persephone Ivy said. “I always felt like I was his puppet because we always had to do what he wanted. He would guilt trip me and make me always be in the wrong.” 

It’s as if your partner is slowly changing into a new person.

The worst part is a lot of the time people don’t notice.

During this time friends and family may advise to leave the relationship.

Despite all of this there still is the rush of dopamine that makes you not want to leave, when you know it is the right choice.

“They were into drugs and of course, I didn’t support it, but I dealt with it because I didn’t want to ruin the relationship,” Turner said.

This is where the relationship is where you make the most important decision: you decide if you will end it or you’re going to stay.

“They called me one weekend when I was out of town,” Turner said. “They didn’t want to continue the relationship and that they were getting too attached to me.” 

To get out of a toxic relationship, you should end the relationship and cut off communication. 

In this process, consider talking to a trusted adult or friend.

For some, after the relationship ends there will be struggles. You might feel as if you’re alone, depressed, afraid there’s nobody out there, and missing your former significant other. 

“I genuinely was so happy once things ended because I had a chance to get myself back in order,” Turner said.

When struggling it can be helpful to spend time with friends and family, go outside, practice self-care and focus on yourself.

“I think that’s a huge thing is having to discover what that person had said to you to be able to recognize that hey, this isn’t actually true” social worker Stacie Hadley said.

For those who choose to stay in the relationship you still can get out.

You can call 24 Hour Crisis Line – at (316) 263-3002, or call the Toll Free 1-887-927-2248

You might also file restraining orders, join a support group, get counseling, or seek crisis intervention.