Toxic friendship signs.

Toxic friendship signs: Friends make our lives more prosperous. But sometimes, friends take more than they give. So, it is important to be able to differentiate when a friendship takes a toxic turn. It can be difficult to identify the warning signs of toxic friends in your life especially a friend who fulfills your life. In such a case, read through this list of warning signs to decide if your friendship is doing more harm than good.

Toxic friendship signs:

They do not respect your boundaries

Conveying boundaries to anyone can be extremely difficult but it is even harder if it is with a friend who constantly dismisses them. Even if you have told them that you have prior commitments, they will still ask for your availability and make you feel guilty for not showing up for them in the time of their need (even if it is not that important).

They always need something from you

A toxic friend will always need you, but may not reciprocate. They will constantly ask for favors and will guilt trip you if you are not readily available. Such people may also keep track of the things they do for you and use them against you to make you feel guilty.

They do not take responsibility

A friend who does not take responsibility for how they treat you will apologize in a way that does not recognize that their behavior was hurting you. 

They may use their struggles as a weapon

Everyone goes through hardships of many forms in regular life. But, a toxic friend may overstep in asking you to be there for them while going through something hard time or they may start weaponizing their struggles as a means to drive you into doing things for them. 

Also Read: Signs of being used in a relationship.

They may make you guilty about spending time with other people

A toxic friend will get jealous and possessive if they see you hanging out with other friends. They may tell you that they do not feel like you are there for them when you hang out with other friends. Although you know that you have shown up for your friend, thus ignoring any effort you have put into the friendship.

They ignore your efforts 

Often in toxic friendships, the toxic person may dismiss your help when you try to give it to them but will still make you feel indebted to give them help.

They constantly try to change you

While it is necessary to share things in common in a friendship, friendships flourish when two people can express and celebrate each other’s dissimilarities. If you are in an unhealthy friendship, your friend might be asking you to be someone you are not. They may recognize the things you oppose and put you in uncomfortable situations or they may ask you to talk, dress, or act differently. While it is significant for friends to lovingly challenge each other and encourage each other to stop potentially harmful behaviors, it becomes harmful when they pressurize you to compromise your character.