People usually drift into toxic friendships without realising it. At first, you bond over shared interests or a “bad‑boy/girl” vibe, so the red flags feel like excitement. Before you know it, small, harmless‑looking habits (constant gossip, occasional guilt‑trips) slip in, and before you notice they’ve become the norm.
Mutual friends or a tight‑knit group can make it hard to cut ties, even when the behavior turns toxic. You might stay because confronting the issue feels scarier than living with the drama. Here are 10 signs your friend might be toxic:
1. Constant drama – every hangout turns into a crisis.
2. Guilt‑tripping – they make you feel bad for saying “no.”
3. Energy drain – you feel exhausted after chatting with them.
4. Never takes responsibility – it’s always someone else’s fault.
5. One‑upping – your wins get down‑played or they try to top them. Same applies when you complain about a certain problem. They will come up with one that sounds more problematic than yours. With a toxic friend, every conversation leads to competition.
They only hear what benefits them. They vanish when you need support and push your limits without apology.
9. Negative influence– they encourage bad habits or bad vibes.
10. You’re the only one caring – the friendship feels one‑sided.
