There is a fine line between being passive-aggressive and being completely toxic.

The line becomes blurred when you begin to feel drained, frustrated, and confused by your partner’s actions.

Being with a passive-aggressive partner can be like navigating a maze. You are often left to guess their true intentions behind veiled comments or actions.

And let me tell you, it can take a toll on your emotional health faster than you realize.

Below, we’ll explore the eight signs that your partner’s passive-aggressive behavior is affecting you more than you think.

1) You are constantly second-guessing yourself

Being in a relationship with a passive-aggressive person can mess with your mind for a long time.

Their insidious, indirect hostility has the potential to make you question everything — like, are you being too sensitive, or is this your fault?

Picture this: They give a very cold reaction when something upsets you, making you wonder if you’re overreacting. Or they casually dismiss your concerns with a dismissive comment, leaving you unsure of your judgement.

In a healthy relationship, it’s all about open and honest feelings without the fear of shutting down. But with a passive-aggressive partner, it’s as if they replace that with deceptive aggression and mind games.

2) You often feel like you’re walking on eggshells

This one hits close to home. In my previous relationship, I remember always feeling like I was walking on eggshells.

My partner often responds to my requests or concerns coldly or with a sarcastic remark. It got to the point where I was afraid to bring up anything that might trigger their passive aggressive reaction.

For example, if I ask them for help with household chores, they either do so reluctantly or make snide remarks about my inability to manage things on my own. Their passive aggressive behavior made me hesitant and eager to express my needs or concerns.

And let me tell you, it is not healthy to live in constant fear of your partner’s reactions. It is a sign that your partner’s passive aggressive behavior is affecting your emotional health.

3) Your arguments never seem to be resolved

A classic move in the passive-aggressive playbook is to avoid conflict as if it’s going out of style. Instead of tackling problems head-on, they make gestures like frowning, dragging their feet, or radio silence.

Now, here’s the point – when you’re trying to sort things out, it’s like talking to a brick wall. No real engagement, just going around in circles with no solutions in sight.

Ruling from psychologists? When conflicts remain unresolved, they generate resentment and start pulling the emotional plug in the relationship. Feeling stuck and upset in a relationship is a neon sign that your partner’s passive aggressive game is messing with your emotional vibe.

4) You are experiencing high levels of stress and anxiety

Being with a passive-aggressive partner can seriously mess with your feelings. Their deceptive hostility creates an atmosphere of uncertainty and tension that increases stress and anxiety levels.

You end up on edge, wondering how your partner will react, stressing over potential clashes, and overly worrying about the whole relationship situation.

Now, a little bit of stress in a relationship is pretty normal, but it’s not okay to ride an emotional roller coaster all the time. It serves as a flashing sign that your partner’s passive aggressive game is affecting your mental health.

It’s time to think about getting some help or maybe changing things in the relationship.

5) You feel emotionally drained

Here’s another caveat: Feeling emotionally drained can be like waving a big flag.Dealing with a passive-aggressive partner is like riding an emotional roller coaster. One moment they’re cold to you, and the next, they’re all warm and fuzzy.

This fickle dance sabotages your energy because you’re constantly playing the temperamental detective, trying to figure out what atmosphere they’re in and adjusting your game plan accordingly.

Ask yourself: Does your relationship leave you feeling destroyed regularly? If so, this is evidence that your partner’s unhealthy behaviors are affecting you.

6) You feel undervalued and unappreciated

In any relationship, we all want to feel seen, appreciated and appreciated for who we are. But when you’re dealing with a passive-aggressive partner, this basic need is often left in the dust.

These people have a knack for subtly putting you down, whether it’s through snide remarks or just ignoring you. As time goes by, you start to feel like you are not appreciated or valued.

You begin to question your worth, wondering if you’re not measuring up. It’s like a slow diminishment of your self-esteem, making you feel unloved. Is this the case for you?

7) You lose touch with your feelings and needs

I once realized that I was so deep into managing my partner’s moods that I had lost sight of my feelings and needs.

Dealing with a passive-aggressive partner can draw you straight into their world. Suddenly, you find yourself stepping back to keep them happy or dodging conflicts while neglecting your emotional needs.

But here’s the problem: When you keep pushing your feelings aside, it leads to this emptiness and dissatisfaction, not just in the relationship but in your entire life. What you should do is take it as an alert that your partner’s mind game is messing with your mind and address the problem.

8) You become passive aggressive

Finally, and this is very important, if you find yourself being a bit passive aggressive as well, this is a clear sign that your partner’s way of handling things is affecting you.

The truth is that it is not uncommon for us to acquire habits from the people we are around the most. You know, like the silent treatment when you’re upset or making some sarcastic remark instead of addressing the issues directly.

This is not what’s best for either of you, and can create more resentment and confusion in your relationship.

FinalThought: It’s about self-esteem and growth

Dealing with a passive-aggressive partner in a relationship can undoubtedly be a real challenge. But hey, every difficult situation is an opportunity to learn and grow.

So, wrapping it up, spotting those signs that your partner is being passive aggressive and messing with your vibe is the key to getting things back on track. Whether it’s sly comments or the good old silent treatment, these moves can really mess with your head.

But once you score these marks, you’re in the driver’s seat.

You can talk about it, set some boundaries, and get the backup you deserve. Just keep in mind that your mental health and happiness come first, and addressing these obstacles head-on can pave the way for better communication with your partner.