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Toxic Friends and 8 Ways to Identify Them
Do You Attract Toxic Friends?
We all know that solid friendships are vital to our mental and physical health. But do you find yourself constantly choosing people who aren’t good friends, who prefer to tear you down instead of lifting you up? Who drain you emotionally or increase your stress when you see their name on your cell phone?
Don’t blame yourself. You could be in a profession or culture that brings the crazy ones to the surface. But don’t ignore questionable behavior, either.
Most toxic people glob onto a new person, becoming their best friend overnight. They engage you by being overly accommodating and supportive, looking for similarities that make you believe they are just like you. But, be careful of this “love-bombing.” Because afterward, you will soon see their controlling, entitled, unreasonable, dismissive, or downright nasty behavior if they are toxic.
So What are the Red Flags of Toxic Friends?
1) Entitlement with Unreasonable Expectations
They will become enraged if you can’t retrieve their furniture in the middle of the night or give them your favorite dress for a date. One mother wanted me to drive her daughter and friends to the airport even when I said I had an important meeting to attend. Her…
