10 Types of People You Should Avoid at All Costs

ADIBE UGOCHUKWU
Write A Catalyst
Published in
3 min readJun 14, 2024
Photo by Alessandro Bellone on Unsplash

Love can sometimes trick us into ignoring harmful behaviors. Psychology warns us against allowing certain actions into our lives, especially from those close to us. This piece will detail 10 behaviors that experts say we must not accept. Knowing these signs will help you build better and more respectful bonds.

One sunny day, my friend Emma asked me over for coffee. Her place gave off an awkward vibe the moment I stepped in. Her boyfriend Michael was in a bad mood, snapping and criticizing Emma for the smallest things. This was a big change from the caring boyfriend I’d met before. Watching Emma’s self-assurance fade under Michael’s harsh words was painful. She needed a loving, supportive relationship.

Being a professional writer gives me access to studies on toxic behaviors and their effects. Researchers at Friedrich Schiller University in Germany found that dealing with toxic people can create a lot of stress. Also, TalentSmart’s research says 90% of high achievers manage their emotions well under stress. And this skill helps them steer clear of toxic personalities.

Toxic individuals can be controlling, entitled, or even saboteurs. Their manipulative actions can harm the quality of our relationships and our happiness. One should endeavor to recognize these behaviors which is key to protecting ourselves and our loved ones. In this article, we’ll discuss 10 types of toxic people to avoid. And we’ll share tips for creating more respectful relationships.

Identifying the Dangers:

Disrespect comes in different forms. It could be through hurtful comments or ignoring your feelings. It might even be subtle, like always talking over you. Psychologists say disrespect is never okay. It destroys trust and causes hard feelings. Even if you really care for someone, letting them disrespect you is not right. Don’t ignore their bad behavior just because you love them.

Questioning Your Own Reality:

Am talking of Gaslighting here, which is a sneaky way to mess with your mind. The person makes you doubt what you know is true. This can make you feel sad, lost, or like you don’t know yourself anymore. If you see this in someone you care about, protect yourself. Get help from friends, family, or a therapist. Remember, you have the right to leave if a relationship makes you feel bad.

A Threat to Independence:

If someone always wants to know what you’re doing or they control your decisions, that’s not okay. They might say it’s because they care. But really they just want to have power over you. Feeling like you can’t choose can be suffocating which is not ok for your mental health. This kind of behavior can make you feel really stressed and not good about yourself. No matter what they say, controlling people is not good to have around.

Constant Criticism:

Some feedback helps us grow, but constant negative comments hurt. They can make you feel small and undeserving. Psychologists say it’s best to be with people who build you up, not break you down. Even if it’s family or close friends, your mental health comes first.

Feeling Unloved and Alone:

It’s hard when someone won’t share their feelings with you. This makes you feel like you’re talking to a wall. It leaves you feeling lonely and unsure of their love. Remember, anyone you’re with should be ready to show they care. If they’re not, it may be time to think about your happiness.

Breach of Trust:

Trust is key in any good relationship. When someone lies or hides the truth often, it breaks that trust. Rebuilding trust after it’s broken is very hard. A breach of trust can come in many forms — from lying to betrayal to not keeping promises or sharing secrets. Regardless, a breach of trust can cause relationships to fall apart.

Being betrayed by someone you love hurts a lot. It makes you feel lost and unsure about your relationship’s future. Psychologists say that a breach of trust causes many bad feelings. It can really hurt a relationship. It’s crucial for both people in the relationship to value and protect trust.

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ADIBE UGOCHUKWU
Write A Catalyst

"Welcome to my corner on Medium! I'm victor, here I provide motivation and inspiring content. Follow me and enjoy my contents.