A toxic person is anyone whose behavior adds negativity and upset to your life. Many times, people who are toxic are dealing with their own stresses and traumas.
To do this, they act in ways that don’t present them in the best light and usually upset others along the way.
A toxic person regularly displays actions and behaviors that hurt others or otherwise negatively impact the lives of the people around them, and they’re usually the main instigating factor of a toxic relationship.
Here are 10 the key signs of toxic people to look out for…
1. Controlling behaviors
They seek to make others your pawns and have them do as you wish.Someone who’s controlling is always trying to undermine your confidence and put you down in private or in public.
They seem to want to emphasize your flaws and make you feel self-conscious about your quirks. You’re made to feel like the culprit. A controlling partner will always say that their emotions are your fault.
2. Dishonesty
Any sort of dishonesty, whether it’s deceit, lying, or general secrecy, is a sign of a toxic person.
This one is tough, depending on how good of a liar you’re dealing with, but if you catch them in a lie, especially more than once, don’t take it lightly.
3. Lack of boundaries
A toxic person is used to controlling and manipulating you, so they probably will do the same when you set boundaries.
Toxic people have no concept of (or respect for) boundaries. If you set a healthy, reasonable boundary, they’ll trample all over it. They’ll even make it your fault for “being too sensitive” if you get upset when your boundary is crossed.
4. Manipulative
If you feel as though you’re the only one contributing to the relationship, you’re probably right. Toxic people have a way of sending out the vibe that you owe them something.
They also have a way of taking from you or doing something that hurts you, then maintaining they were doing it all for you.
5. Inconsistency
Part of being human is having ups and downs, good times, and bad. But a toxic person is almost never consistent.
Their behavior is erratic. They don’t follow through on their commitments or promises. You never know what they’re going to do next.
6. Galighting
Gaslighting is a form of emotional manipulation, but it gets its own callout because it can be hard to realize when it’s happening to you.
Gaslighting is essentially when someone denies your reality with phrases like “you’re making things up” or “you’re being dramatic” when you express your thoughts and feelings.
7. Unsupportive
Does this person support your goals and dreams? Are they happy for you when something goes right in your life?
Are they interested in your wants and needs? If the answer to these questions is no, that’s a toxic person.
8. Improper apologies
Someone with toxic traits may avoid responsibility for their behavior with an apology that minimizes their actions. For example, they may say, “I’m sorry you feel that way” or “I’m sorry, but…”
They’ll lie before they ever apologise, so there’s no point arguing. They’ll twist the story, change the way it happened and retell it so convincingly that they’ll believe their own nonsense.
