Toxic Friendships: When Friends Hurt and Friendships Harm

Entering into a friendship opens the door for hurt and harm; a harmful friend or a toxic friendship can be one of life’s hardest relationship tribulations to forgive and forget. Toxic friends often come back to haunt you for a long time.

Unfortunately, though, becoming friends is risky and there is never a guarantee you will not be hurt by a toxic friend.

There are nine main types of toxic friends–those people whose friendship hurts you eventually. Knowing the categories of toxic friends helps you avoid them.

Nine Types of Toxic Friends

#1: The User as a Toxic Friend:

This person only has friends as long as he/she can use them for some purpose or goal of his/her own. This person could be the most harmful of toxic friends. They will take everything they can get from you and give nothing in return.

#2 The Betrayer as a Toxic Friend:

Nothing hurts more than a friend who betrays you. The betrayer is truly a toxic friend. They will gain your trust and then use it, not only against you, but to gain something for themselves.

#3 The Control Freak as a Toxic Friend:

The control freak is a friend as long as she/he is in control. The control freak often seems to be helping you. Refuse that help or break that control and find out what toxic friendship really means.

#4 The Judge as a Toxic Friend:

Ever judgmental, ever critical, this friend can erode your self-esteem. The judge is a fault finder. You can rarely do anything completely right with this toxic friend. They break you down in order to build themselves up.

#5 The Promise Breaker as a Toxic Friend:

This person rarely does what he says he will do. If you have a date, your toxic friend is often a no-show. A general lack of dependability makes this person a toxic friend.

#6 The Gossip as a Toxic Friend:

The gossip will eventually betray your trust and become a toxic friend. Gossips are easy to spot so beware your friendships with them. They will talk about you behind your back in order to gain favor with others.

#7 The Self-Centered Person as a Toxic Friend:

Self-centered people can’t think of you as they are too busy thinking of themselves. They make toxic friends. They will fail you in your time of need and make you feel bad for placing any focus on yourself.

#8 The Competitor as a Toxic Friend:

The competitor is always looking to be “one up.” Although some competitiveness is normal in friendships, too much competition makes a toxic friend. They will constantly disregard your feelings or concerns, citing them as not as dire as their own.

#9 The Leaner as a Toxic Friend:

The leaner is a very needy friend who clings and may be at your doorstep every day. He/she usually wants all of your time and jealousy often enters the picture in this friendship. You may feel like this is simply someone in need of help, but they will become dependent on the support you give them and not give it up easily when you need a break or to walk away.

You May Not Always Be Able to Avoid a Toxic Friend

Those who are toxic by nature are adept at fooling you into a friendship before revealing their true nature. Once you spot the signs of a toxic friendship, it is important to have the strength and courage to leave it.

Toxic friends are just that – toxic, poisonous and destructive. Their vicious ways will affect you physically, mentally and emotionally.

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