The 5 Types of Toxic People to Cut Loose from Your Life
Look out and avoid these people at all costs.
As individuals, whom we associate with says a lot about us. However, many types of ‘friends’ so-called can drag a person down, discourage ambitions, and even outright sabotage potential success.
These are the type of people you need to be aware of, watch out for and cut loose from immediately. The primary types are as follows:
Someone with Very Low Self-Esteem
Any individual can be afflicted with self-esteem issues and struggle; however, the individuals who refuse to make an effort to better themselves and instead prefer wallowing in self-pity are people you need to cut loose from your life. The more you hang around these sorts of people, the more you will mimic their behavior, (essentially their personalities begin to rub off on you) and adversely affect your mood.
Furthermore, by associating with this type of person, the risk is there for them to emotionally manipulate you (i.e., making you feel sorry for them) to the point that you would do whatever it takes to get them out of their emotional rut. It is in no way conducive to your well-being and can be potentially harmful to you.
There is nothing you can do to change that person. The problem stems from within themselves, and they must choose to improve their condition.
The Narcissist
This ‘gem’ of a person has so many hazards associated with them that they ought to come with a warning label! In all honesty, a narcissist is shallow, lacks empathy, and is self-absorbed. They are nearly the polar opposite of a person who has low self-esteem and has way too high an opinion of themselves.
The narcissist is usually arrogant and has almost a delusional sense of self-importance. Simply put, they prefer themselves over everyone else.
It is an absolute mistake to spend time with these people. They can also manipulate you and often find a way to subtly or overtly put you down to make themselves look good. Spending your time with individuals like these will always leave you playing second fiddle to them.
Narcissists care little for anything else but themselves. Beware of people who exhibit narcissistic traits. If you find yourself among their company, it’s best to cut loose of them.
An Angry Person
At the risk of sounding obvious, this goes without saying; someone who comes across as extremely angry all the time is not the best person to be around.
This sort of individual’s behavior can be very unpredictable, especially when it is evident that they cannot control their emotions. It can be a sign of personal instability that may stem from depression.
According to an article published by Elizabeth Dougherty in 2011 by Harvard Medicine Magazine, the piece determined that depression often coincides with anger. Additionally, Darin Dougherty, an associate professor in psychiatry, who conducted a series of studies on anger management, indicated that a patient’s neurological activity reacts differently than those who are not suffering from depression.
When anger was apparent in these patients, the amygdala, the portion of the brain linked with various emotions including fear, anxiety, and anger, flared, the orbital frontal cortex portion of their brains failed to suppress their emotions. This portion of the brain, the orbital frontal cortex, is linked to mood regulation.
In any case, an angry person, whether suffering from severe depression or trauma, can easily exhibit behaviors that bring about high anxiety and unwelcome hostility.
A chronically angry person can be quick to snap and lash out. This person is not someone you want to be involved with, casually or romantically, and indeed not a person you would like to be in business with either.
Notwithstanding, it is essential to note that we are not immune to giving in to our emotional impulses. Therefore, we should not be quick in condemning other people we see angry. However, when there is a consistent pattern of a person (a friend or loved one) exhibiting aggressive or hostile behavior brought on by anger, we ought to consider distancing ourselves from that individual.
A Person Who Complains About Everything
Spending your valuable time with someone who finds a reason to complain about almost everything is an absolute waste.
Usually, people like this are very cynical and miserable to be around. They are constantly focusing on what is wrong with the world or in their own lives. Moreover, they are quick to take issue with anything that does not meet their expectations.
A person who constantly complains about almost everything is someone who is projecting negativity, never seeing the upside of things. Few things are more discouraging than keeping company with these kinds of people.
The Naysayers
Someone who continually tells you “it’s impossible” or “it can’t be done, so why try” all the time is a naysayer. They are quick to put your aspirations down without a second thought.
The naysayer will usually be an individual that actively opposes your objectives or torpedoes any ambitions you share with them. It reveals insecurity on their part, given that they may somehow feel inferior, and to mask their insecurities will need to sabotage you. Steer clear of this sort of individual.
Key Takeaways
Any individual you interact with regularly who distinctly and unapologetically embodies these characteristics of low self-esteem, narcissism, unfettered anger, complaining, and naysaying should be cut loose from your life and avoided.
Keeping company with these types of people can drag you down in more ways than one, severely discourage you, and ultimately hurt you.
We must be careful whom we choose to associate with as it can have unintended consequences that meaningfully impact the course of our lives.
References
1. Self-Esteem — Term Found in the American Psychological Association
2. Narcissism: Symptoms and Signs medically reviewed by Dan Brennan, MD | Reviewed December 02, 2020
3. Anger Management by Elizabeth Dougherty | Published Summer 2011
4. Amygdala Function and Location by Olivia Guy Evans | Published May 09, 2021
5. Orbitofrontal Cortex Function and Structure in Depression by Wayne C. Drevets | Published December 18, 2007
6. Complain — Term Found in Merriam-Webster.com
7. Naysayer — Term Found in the Psychology DictionaryThe 5 Types of Toxic People to Cut Loose From Your Life
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