You meet, date, and fall in love. Then, things begin to change – deep love turns to deep resentment, and soon after, spirals out of control. Real life examples, detailing the horrific fallout of a once promising relationship are featured on shows like, “Who The (BLEEP)” and “I Dated a Psycho” as well as countless others.
Celebrities bare their human frailties when it comes to love as well. Success and insecurity can be incongruously disproportionate, yielding frightening results. The latest case of love gone lethal, Oscar Pistorius and Reeva Steenkamp, has yet to be deciphered. Robert Blake was put on trial for the murder of his wife Bonnie Lee Bakley. Decidedly eccentric Phil Spector was arrested for shooting Lana Clarkson in his home. The most well-known celebrity murder case still haunts the world to this day - O.J. Simpson and Nicole Brown.
Scarily, men are not the only guilty parties – women have become infamous for murdering spouses. In 1998, after 10 years of marriage, Brynn Hartman shot and killed her husband, comedian Phil Hartman, then turned the gun on herself.
Experts say the signs of toxicity are evident. According to Shannon Cook, a personal coach and expert on the topic of toxic relationships, there are 4 signs of toxic love; when your partner is:
1. Emotionally or physically abusive
2. Engaging in addictive behavior (drugs/alcohol)
3. Cheating repeatedly or compulsively
4. Suffering from a personality disorder (narcissism/sociopathy)
Heeding the signs
Unhealthy, toxic relationships can engulf and overtake lives. The insidious nature of these relationships can even appear “normal” to the people in them once enough time has passed. Don’t hesitate to separate yourself from a partner who displays the aforementioned behavior. Relationship expert, Dr. Gail Saltz, offers these three steps toward extrication:
1. Gather supporters who make you feel safe and secure
2. Take threats seriously; take all necessary and available legal action
3. Make a clean break; do not allow contact via text messages, emails, Facebook, etc.
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