Is It Selfish to Walk Away From a Mentally Draining Relationship?

[Shree]

We’re told to stand by people through hard times, but what if their struggles start damaging your own wellbeing? Where do you draw the line between loyalty and self-preservation?

 

[Teri W]

You can walk away from any mentally draining relationship that wants to keep you depressed and weak. You must keep yourself in one piece first before trying to help others, you can't afford to be broken to do that. It Is not selfishness, it is right to help yourself first so you can be fit to help others.

 

[arunima]

No, it's not being selfish. There are people who have taken that tough decision. They have given everything to the relationship and to nurture it. But then that doesn't help. It drains them and impacts their mental and emotional well being too. Relationships are a challenge and become even more challenging with mental health issues involved in it. One cannot pour from an empty cup. If you are always drained, exhausted and frustrated, you can not nurture the other person who needs support. If the toll on mental and emotional health is too much, it is advisable to walk away.

 

[Hazel]

Not necessarily. Protecting your mental health is important, and sometimes walking away is the healthiest choice. It’s only selfish if you leave without empathy or consideration, but prioritizing your well-being doesn’t make you a bad person, it’s self-preservation.

 

[Fidelia]

There is no one that should be drained mentally because they want to stand by a partner that has mental health issues. I would personally take a break and see how I can support that partner for therapy from the background. If the situation improves, I would get back to the relationship. If his mental state doesn't improve, I would leave him. He doesn't need a relationship at that point. It is not selfishness.

 

[Nomad]

I do not think it is selfish to walk away from mentally draining relationship, however, before you move out, you also need to communicate with your partner and try to end relationship with agreement instead of just walking out.

 

[Ravenfreak]

It depends on the situation. If you're walking away because you just don't want to deal with the person at their lowest it comes off as selfish, but if you've tried helping the person and they refuse to change or get help and it's overwhelming you then it's absolutely fine to walk away.