4 Ways to Spot Toxic Behavior

Toxic people are everywhere and you’re bound to come across them. What you need to ask yourself is, “What is toxic behavior?”.

Toxic relationships can develop with someone as close as family or friends, and many people are unaware they are in one. You may be unaware that the way someone treats you is harming your health and happiness. They may even be preventing you from achieving personal progress and living the life you deserve. Gain self-esteem and a new awareness that you deserve better people in your life that actually care about you as a person to become smarter. The health benefits of avoiding toxic relationships could transform your life.

It’s one thing to know that someone is being toxic. They’re belittling you, lying to your face about something major, or slandering your good name behind your back. It’s another when the toxicity comes from someone you’ve trusted for years. Someone who, at first glance, seems okay. But there are certain tell-tale signs you can look out for to determine if that person is poisonous. How do you spot toxic behavior? Here are 4 ways to spot toxic behavior from a mile away.

1. Can they be happy for other people?

   A person who cannot be happy for anybody else is usually very unhappy with themselves.

   They will visit that on you as well.

2. Do they enjoy putting others down?

   Do they get a rise out of gossiping, criticizing, or putting other people down?

3. How do they treat people they do not have to win over?

   What is your observation of how this person treats other people? Are they only kind to people that provide them some benefit, above them on the food chain, people who can do them a favor?

   If a person treats other people as if they are beneath them or unkind because they are just a …or only a … How they treat people can be illuminating.

4. Do all of their stories feature them as the hero and everybody else as the villain?

   Pay close attention to the stories they tell.

Toxic behavior makes your life and the lives of those around you more difficult. It can scatter your focus, drive you crazy and sap your energy. Because toxic people don’t want to make anything better, they are hard to deal with.

If you find yourself in a work or romantic relationship with someone you may think is toxic and need guidance; reach out and make an appointment.