Do you think this is a toxic relationship?

Hello. I want to share with you a case and ask your opinion.
A member of my family, adult male, a young person, is in a relationship with a possessive woman much younger than him. Before this relationship, he was very happy, communicative and jovial person having lot of friends, going out frequently for drink with his brother and friends. But since he started this relationship, his mood has changed and worsened, being now with family reserved, stiff, dark mood, with little communication with his family, being her now his only world. She is very possessive and has isolated him from almost all his old relations of friendship and in the past, the only moments he dared going out with someone from his old group, she argued all the time until he didn´t do it anymore. He now hates his brother, because the brother has criticized the possessivenes of the woman, his money expenses although they had always a good and close relation, and his old group of friends is abandoned.

Do you think ths relationship is usual, normal and acceptable and thats the way such things go, or it seems a toxic relationship? Do you think this person needs any advice, or should be left as is?

Thank you

It doesnt sound right to me. Unfortunately age can sometimes be a huge thing in relationships and when paired with a codependent possessive person can be very toxic.

Possessiveness to this degree would be considered toxic to the health and well being of the male family member. Since it's effected his life in such a negative way, I would definitely call this relationship toxic.

What you can do is gently bring it up to the male family member. You can reflect back to him your observations of his changed behaviors and how this relationship seems to be effecting him negatively. You can express your concern for his health and well being, and you can point out the possessiveness and subsequent isolation as not being healthy.

I would personally say something since it is a family member you care for. If I were in his shoes, I would want my loved ones to be honest with me.

I also think that this does not sound healthy or normal. I would say something to him, since he is a family member you care about.

Unless he asked you for relationship advice or is a minor or incapacitated, I’d refrain to give him relationship advice. I’d not meddle in people’s relationships. A grown man can figure his relationship out. It doesn’t serve any purpose to bring it up to him unless he asks.

I think you need to share your insight with both of them. You need to confront the possessive women, about what she is doing if it bothers you. Maybe she doesnt see it that way. Perhaps shes ignorant of her behaviour. It does sound toxic, its important to be good to each other, that goes for anyone and everyone.