Not all friends care about you.
Having good friends is great, as long as they genuinely love, care for, and prioritize your well-being. However, some people are only focused on their own needs and desires. This means that being friends with them might not be beneficial for you. But how can you identify if a friendship is harmful?
Behavior
It can be difficult to identify signs of a toxic friend, especially if you have known them for a long time or enjoy spending time with them. However, there are ways to determine if your friend truly cares about you. According to Kendall Phillips, a licensed counselor in Texas, there are certain behavior traits that might indicate a toxic friendship. Phillips explained that if your friend shows disinterest or is unwilling to listen to you when you seek emotional support, it could be a sign of a toxic friendship. A toxic friend may expect you to always be available for them and provide emotional support, disregarding your own needs. They tend to be self-centered and not reciprocate in the relationship.
“Toxic”
Your friend may not necessarily be actively trying to harm you. According to Dr. Kalanit Ben-Ari, a therapist and relationship expert, it’s not a clear-cut situation. She believes that a friend cannot be inherently “bad” for one’s well-being. However, it’s possible that the way a friend behaves or the dynamics between the two of you may cause pain and upset.
Nevertheless, there are some signs that you should pay attention to when interacting with people. If you feel anxious or nervous before meeting up with this friend, or if you consistently feel put down or manipulated, it might be worth re-evaluating your friendship. It’s important to prioritize your own happiness and well-being rather than sacrificing it for someone else’s benefit. Freeing yourself from a toxic friendship can lead to a better overall emotional state compared to remaining in a situation where you feel unhappy.
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