All relationships have their fair share of ups and downs. However, relationships become toxic if they adversely impact your well-being and daily life. Here are 12 traits of toxic people you should watch out for.
Manipulation
Toxic people have a solid need to manipulate and control you to fulfill their needs. They are selfish and like to have a power balance in their favor. They make you feel as if you owe them something.
Criticism
Toxic people are judgmental. They belittle you on your choices, be it food, clothes, or relationships. They quickly jump to conclusions and criticize everything they disapprove of.
Violation Of Boundaries
‘Toxic’ is a popular therapy-speak term. According to a survey, 42% of Americans are familiar with this term regarding boundaries in relationships. Toxic people trample their own and other people’s boundaries through their negative behavior and conditioning.
Dishonesty
Toxic people tend to lie and change their behavior or words depending on the situation. Their loyalty is usually questionable. They will likely feel good in your miseries and get upset at others’ successes.
Victim Mentality
Victim mentality refers to behavior when a person feels that they have no control over bad situations in their life because the world is against them. Toxic people like to play the victim card and put their problems above everything and everyone else. They prey on your kindness.
Expectation Of Perfection
Toxic people are obsessed with perfection and hold you to unrealistically high standards. They don’t mind shaming you for mistakes. They can create fear and guilt in you with their expectations of perfection.
Possessiveness
Another tell-tale sign of toxic people is their unwillingness to share you with others. The possessive nature often stems from their insecurity or fear of losing you. They constantly try to control your choices, behavior, and interactions.
Energy Vampires
Toxic people are the energy vampires in relationships. They only know how to receive instead of giving. They love to create drama and play the game of one-upping you. Their antics and tactics can drain you emotionally.
Gossiping
Gossiping is another undesirable trait of toxic people. They are friendly to your face but can backstab you by speaking ill about you to others. Their gossiping behavior can create a rift between you and other relationships.
Lack Of Empathy
Toxic people are indifferent, insensitive, or unresponsive because they don’t understand your feelings. They also refuse your opinions and become argumentative about being unheard. They find it difficult to handle emotional situations.
Episodes Of Rage
If you feel like walking on eggshells around a person, it is a sign of toxicity. They are quick to get angry with even the slightest trigger and resort to aggressive and demeaning words to put you down.
Abusiveness
Celebrities such as Rihanna, Tina Turner, Gwenyth Paltrow, and Oprah Winfrey have often opened up about abusive relationships with their parents, spouses, or partners. Toxic people can abuse you emotionally, physically, or even financially. They make you feel unsafe in their presence. Do note that abuse is an extreme form of toxicity.