The Lasting Harm of Toxic Relationships—and Why It’s Not Your Fault
- rouladahhak
- Jun 26
- 2 min read
By Dr. Roula al-Dahhak, M.D.Neurologist & Founder of Coaching Post Toxic Relationship
When we think of toxic relationships, many people imagine emotional ups and downs, manipulation, or unhealthy arguments. But the truth is often much deeper—and far more damaging. Toxic relationships don’t just hurt in the moment—they leave long-term scars.
As a neurologist and coach, I work with individuals who have survived emotionally abusive relationships. And what I see again and again is this: the damage doesn’t stop when the relationship ends.
In fact, some of the worst pain begins after the exit.
💔 The Invisible Wounds
People who have endured toxic relationships often struggle with:
Deep self-doubt and shame
Difficulty trusting themselves or others
Emotional numbness or intense anxiety
Persistent feelings of guilt, even when they’ve done nothing wrong
Fatigue, memory fog, or even physical symptoms like headaches, seizures, and body pain
And often, these symptoms continue for years—long after the toxic person is out of their life.
Why? Because emotional abuse rewires the nervous system. Your brain and body adapt to survive, and those survival patterns don’t simply disappear once the relationship ends.
The Most Painful Truth I See
As a therapist and coach, the most heartbreaking part is watching someone who’s already endured so much… continue to blame themselves.
They ask:
“Why can’t I just move on?”
“Was it really that bad?”
“Maybe I was the problem?”
"Maybe if I only tried to tolerate longer"
Let me say this clearly:No one has the right to crush your spirit. Not with their silence. Not with their words. Not with control disguised as love. And if you’re still struggling years after the relationship ended—it doesn’t mean you’re weak. It means the harm was real.
🛠️ Healing Is Not Instant, But It Is Possible
Recovery isn’t about forgetting what happened. It’s about:
Rebuilding your identity
Learning to trust your intuition again
Reclaiming your peace, energy, and clarity
Releasing the internalized blame you were never meant to carry
That’s the work we do at Coaching Post Toxic Relationship. You don’t have to do it alone.
🌱 You Are Not Alone. You Are Not the Problem.
No one deserves to feel broken because of how someone else treated them. If your spirit has been shaken by a toxic partner, family member, or environment, please know that your healing matters. You still get to live a joyful, grounded, and powerful life.
If you’re ready to start that journey, I’m here to help.
— Dr. Roula al-Dahhak, M.D.Neurologist & Founder, Coaching Post Toxic Relationship
📞 314-296-4404
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