Written by: Lach Ravelo

The 13 Toxic Personality Traits that can Poison Social Relationships

Personality

Are toxic personality traits poisoning your social relationships? Discover the 13 most common toxic traits and how to address them in our latest blog post.

Have you ever felt constantly drained or disrespected in a relationship? Or have you ever encountered someone who always seems to put their needs above everyone else’s?

Toxic personality traits refer to negative patterns of behavior that can harm our social relationships and overall well-being. These traits can range from selfishness and manipulation to a lack of empathy and controlling behavior.

While we all have our flaws and make mistakes, we must recognize and address toxic personality traits in ourselves and our relationships to create healthy and fulfilling connections.

And yes, I know that it can be challenging to confront toxic behavior, especially if it comes from someone we love or care about. However, addressing these traits is crucial for the health and happiness of any relationship.

But don’t worry.

In this blog, we will explore the most common toxic personality traits and their effects on social relationships, as well as steps we can take to deal with them. Whether you’re struggling with toxic people or simply looking to improve your emotional intelligence, this discussion will surely provide valuable insights and strategies.

The Most Common Toxic Personality Traits

toxic personality traits in a relationship

Toxic personality traits are negative patterns of behavior that can harm our relationships and overall well-being. In this section, we will explore the most common toxic personality traits, including narcissism, manipulation, controlling behavior, lack of empathy, selfishness, and more. 

Narcissism

Narcissistic individuals can be tough to be around because they often prioritize their needs and desires above everything else. They may lack empathy and consideration for others and may not think twice about manipulating or exploiting people to get what they want.

In addition, narcissists often crave attention and admiration — so much so that they develop attention-seeking behavior. They may also belittle or dismiss the accomplishments of others to feed their sense of superiority.

These types of people may have a bloated sense of entitlement and may demand special treatment and privileges. On top of that, they may not be very understanding or considerate of others’ feelings. In relationships, they may be demanding and controlling and may have a hard time compromising or collaborating.

It’s important to remember that narcissism exists on a spectrum, and not everyone with narcissistic traits will behave the same way or have the same level of severity. Some people may have more mild narcissistic tendencies, while others may have a full-fledged narcissistic personality disorder, which is a more serious condition that may require professional treatment.

Rudeness

toxic personality traits at work

Rudeness is such a toxic trait that can harm relationships. It could mean in several different ways, though. Treating others with disrespect, not caring about their feelings and opinions, and talking to them in a harsh or dismissive way are just some ways that rudeness can manifest.

Rude people may also be quick to criticize and judge others and may not think twice about making hurtful comments or jokes. They may also be impatient or dismissive when it comes to listening to others, and may not take the time to understand their perspectives.

It’s important to be aware of how our behavior affects others and to be respectful and considerate in our interactions. Otherwise, we risk damaging our relationships and creating a negative dynamic with the people around us.

Manipulation

toxic personality traits psychology

Manipulative people can be sneaky. They might use deceptive or controlling tactics to get their way and may not be upfront about their true intentions. They might also try to make others feel guilty or responsible for things that aren’t their fault.

Here’s an example:

So, John was distraught that his colleague, Jane, got a promotion instead of him. He knew that Jane was sensitive to criticism, so he tried to manipulate her into giving him the promotion. He started by making backhanded compliments about her work, like “I’m impressed by how much you’ve accomplished, but I’m not sure if you’re ready for the added responsibility of a promotion.” He also started pointing out her mistakes and downplaying her successes, hoping she would feel insecure and unsure of herself. Eventually, John’s manipulation tactics worked, and Jane offered him the promotion out of fear that she couldn’t handle it. As you can see, manipulation can be harmful and can create a negative dynamic between people.

Controlling behavior

poisonous personality traits

People with controlling personalities can be challenging to deal with because they try to micromanage others. This kind of behavior can harm relationships and cause feelings of resentment and suppression.

For example, let’s say there’s a married couple, Sarah and David. They’ve been married for a few years now. But there’s one issue: David has always been controlling in their relationship. He tells Sarah what she can and can’t do all the time and gets mad if she goes out with her friends or makes decisions without consulting him first. He also checks her phone and social media accounts and gets jealous if she talks to other men.

Sarah feels she has to ask David for permission for everything she does and is afraid to stand up to him or challenge his authority. He’s gotten into an angry outburst when he didn’t get his way. This controlling behavior is causing a lot of tension and unhappiness in their relationship. As you can see, controlling behavior can be tough on the receiving end because it makes them feel like they can’t make decisions independently and must constantly seek approval.

Lack of empathy

toxic personality types

Sometimes, people struggle with empathy and have a hard time understanding or relating to the emotions of others, which is why it’s tough for them to form deep, meaningful connections and can cause conflicts in relationships.

Here’s an example:

So, Jack and his friend Maria talked about a challenging situation the latter was going through. Jack could tell that Maria was upset and needed some support, but instead of offering comfort or understanding, he got impatient and dismissive. He interrupted her and changed the subject to something he found more interesting. It seemed like he didn’t care about Maria’s feelings or the difficulties she was facing at all. Maria felt hurt and frustrated by Jack’s lack of empathy, and the conversation ended in an argument.

Selfishness

toxic personality characteristics

Selfish people can be tough to deal with because they only care about their own needs and desires, and don’t think about how their actions might affect others. Being too selfish can hurt relationships because it can make the other person feel neglected and resentful.

For example, let’s say there’s a group of friends planning a weekend getaway. One of the friends – we’ll call her Rachel – is constantly making decisions that only benefit her and doesn’t consider the needs or preferences of the other friends. She might choose a vacation destination that she wants to go to, but that isn’t convenient for her other friends. 

This kind of selfish behavior can strain relationships and make the other friends feel unimportant and frustrated.

Negativity

toxic personality types avoid

It’s totally normal to have moments where you’re feeling negative, but when negativity becomes a pattern of behavior, it can become toxic. And while negative self-talk seems harmless, it can become a bad habit and affect how you interact with others.

Let’s just say that people with negative outlooks are always pessimistic and cynical and might not be very supportive or encouraging to others. They might even end up self-sabotaging their own relationships, careers, or personal lives.

Say you and your officemates are planning a fun weekend getaway. But one of them always complains and brings everyone down. Say you suggest a resort, and she complains about how bland the food they serve there. Or maybe, she would complain about the expenses even though the extra expenses are only minor. She might even whine about the transportation. 

It can be really draining to be around someone like that, who has too much negativity – wouldn’t you agree?

Negativity is normal, but too much of it can be annoying, and in worst cases, it can be a contagious attitude that can spread to other people.

Judgmentalness

what are toxic personality traits

We’ve all encountered people who are judgmental at some point in our lives. They may be overly critical or just unable to accept others for who they are. Judgmental people might also try to push their own beliefs and values on other people too.

Why do people judge, though? There are several reasons someone might be judgmental, but it usually comes down to insecurity or a need to feel superior.

For example, say you’re hanging out with a group of friends, and one of them is wearing something that you don’t like. You might judge them for their clothing choice or even make snarky comments about it. This kind of behavior can be hurtful and damaging to relationships because it makes the other person feel like they’re being judged or criticized. 

Dishonesty

what are some toxic personality traits

Honesty is pretty much the most essential thing in any healthy relationship. On the other hand, dishonesty can be toxic and damaging. People who aren’t honest might not be trustworthy or reliable and might not take responsibility for their actions. That makes it hard for them to build solid and lasting relationships.

Dishonesty in a relationship can take a lot of different forms. It might be lying, withholding information, or hiding things from your partner. It’s damaging to a relationship because it undermines trust and can make people feel hurt, betrayed, and resentful.

For example, Alice and her boyfriend, Bob, have been dating for a year, and everything seems to be going well. But Bob has a secret that he’s been keeping from Alice: he has a gambling addiction.

He’s been hiding it from her because he knows she’ll be upset and disappointed. However, his gambling is starting to cause financial problems, and he’s having trouble keeping up with his debts. He’s always worried about getting caught and ends up making lies to explain where he’s going or why he’s late. Eventually, Alice learns about the gambling and feels hurt and betrayed that Bob lied to her. It causes a lot of tension and trust issues in their relationship.

Argumentativeness

examples of toxic personality traits

It’s not uncommon for people to disagree or have different opinions, but when someone is constantly argumentative, it can impact a relationship. Folks who are argumentative may be quick to criticize or belittle others and may have a hard time compromising or seeing things from another perspective.

For example, let’s say Sally and Joe are siblings who are constantly at odds. They can’t seem to agree on anything, and every conversation becomes an argument. Sally thinks they should spend their vacation at the beach, but Joe is convinced that the mountains are a better choice. Instead of trying to understand each other’s point of view, they both get stuck in their own positions and keep trying to prove that they’re right. 

Arrogance

what does toxic personality mean

Arrogant people are often disliked and avoided. They tend to think they’re better than everyone else and maybe dismissive or condescending towards others. This kind of behavior can damage relationships because it makes people feel like they’re not valued or respected.

For example, John and Mary are working on a project together. Instead of listening to Mary’s suggestions, John becomes all high and mighty and only cares about his own ideas. Mary ends up feeling frustrated and unappreciated because of this. See how this kind of behavior can be damaging to a relationship?

Conflict avoidance

toxic traits of a person

Most of us dislike conflict, but would you believe that too much conflict avoidance can actually hurt personal relationships?

Conflict avoidance can be damaging to relationships because it prevents people from addressing issues and resolving them. Conflict-avoidant people may be afraid of confrontation or simply may not want to hurt the other person’s feelings. But as mentioned earlier, too much conflict avoidance can be counterintuitive as it leaves unresolved issues that can fester and cause resentment.

Let’s say that Jane and her husband, Tom, have financial problems. Tom has been spending more money than they can afford, and Jane is worried about the state of their budget. However, she doesn’t want to upset Tom or start an argument, so she avoids bringing up the subject. This avoidance creates tension between them, and the financial problems continue to grow. Unable to hide her frustration any longer, Jane eventually opens up, causing an argument that is more intense than it would have been if they had addressed the issue earlier. 

Lack of self-awareness

toxic traits of a girl

Let’s say you have a friend, and his name is Bob. Bob has a toxic habit – he is always late, and he never apologizes for it. He also has a tendency to be selfish and inconsiderate of other people’s feelings.

Bob may not realize that his behavior hurts others because he lacks self-awareness. In other words, he doesn’t know that he has these toxic traits.

As you probably can tell, people who lack self-awareness are often unaware of how their actions or words affect those around them and may not take responsibility for their mistakes. And unknown to Bob, his lack of self-awareness damages his relationships with others.

The Effects of Toxic Personality Traits on Relationships

Toxic traits can have a range of adverse effects on relationships. Some of the most common include:

Damage to trust and communication

cancer toxic personality traits

Toxic personality traits can damage trust and communication between people. Think about it – if someone is manipulative, they might try to deceive or mislead you to get what they want; once discovered, it can erode trust and make it hard to communicate effectively.

Similarly, if someone is controlling, they might try to dominate or micromanage your actions and decisions. This can create a lot of frustration and resentment, and make it tough to have healthy communication. A lack of empathy can make it hard for people to understand and support each other, leading to misunderstandings and conflict. And dishonesty can damage trust and make it hard to rely on each other. All of these behaviors can get in the way of building and maintaining strong, trusting relationships.

Decreased intimacy and connection

what is a toxic personality trait

Toxic people might prioritize their needs and desires above yours, making it hard for you, the receiving end, to feel valued or cared for.

Manipulative behavior can create mistrust and make it hard to feel close to someone. Being controlled can make you feel suffocated and can interfere with your sense of independence.

And a lack of empathy can create distance and disconnection. All of these behaviors, along with several other toxic personality traits, can make it tough to build and maintain close, intimate relationships.

Decreased support and understanding

Nobody likes to be lied to, manipulated, or controlled.

And that’s the thing with toxic people. Once they’re discovered to have these traits, it can be hard for others to trust them and rely on them for support. They might even have trouble building meaningful relationships as their toxic traits get in the way of understanding and connection.

Negative impact on mental and emotional health

Toxic personality traits can take a toll on the mental and emotional health of those involved in a relationship. These behaviors can create a hostile and stressful dynamic, which can cause a lot of frustration, resentment, anxiety, and even depression. Because let’s face it: it can be hard to feel happy or fulfilled in a relationship when you’re dealing with toxic behaviors.

For example, if someone is controlling, they might try to dominate or micromanage your actions and decisions. This can hurt your self-esteem and make you feel like you’re not good enough.

If someone lacks empathy, they might not consider your feelings or needs, which can lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation. And if someone is dishonest, it can create a lot of mistrust and insecurity – and make you feel like you’re constantly on edge or worried about being deceived. All of these behaviors create a lot of stress and negative emotions and can harm your overall mental and emotional well-being.

 

5 Most Common Signs of Toxic Relationships

Toxic relationships can be emotionally and mentally draining and can have a negative impact on our overall well-being. It is essential to be aware of the signs of a toxic relationship so that you can take steps to address the issue and improve the health of the relationship. Some common symptoms of a toxic relationship include:

Constant criticism and negativity

In a toxic relationship, one partner may frequently criticize or belittle the other. This constant negativity can erode the receiving end’s self-esteem and confidence and make it difficult for them to feel good about themselves.

Lack of boundaries

what are some toxic traits in a relationship

In a healthy relationship, both partners should respect each other’s boundaries and personal space. In a toxic relationship, one partner may ignore or disrespect the other’s boundaries, leading to feelings of discomfort and violation.

Disregard for the feelings and needs of others

In a toxic relationship, one partner may prioritize their own needs and desires above those of the other and may not consider or care about the impact of their actions on their partner.

Emotional manipulation or coercion

toxic personality types in the workplace

Toxic partners may try to manipulate or coerce their partners into doing things they don’t want to do or may use emotional manipulation to get their way.

Gaslighting or denial of reality

Gaslighting is a tactic in which one partner tries to manipulate the other into questioning their own reality or memories. In a toxic relationship, one partner may deny or distort the truth to control or manipulate the other.

How to deal with toxic personality traits in relationships

If you’re struggling to deal with difficult people, there are steps you can take to address the issue and improve the health of the relationship. Some strategies include:

Setting boundaries

Setting clear boundaries and communicating your needs and expectations in a relationship is vital. This can protect you from bad behavior and give you a sense of control over the situation.

Seeking support from friends and loved ones.

list of toxic personality traits

Having a supportive network of people you can turn to when dealing with toxic behavior can be helpful. Talk to friends and loved ones about your experiences and seek their guidance and support. 

Seeking professional help

If you’re struggling to cope with toxic behavior on your own, it may be helpful to seek the assistance of a mental health professional. They can provide valuable insights and strategies for dealing with toxic behavior and improving relationships.

Examining and addressing your own toxic traits

toxic personality traits list

It is also important to look inward and examine any toxic traits you may have. Working on improving yourself and addressing any negative patterns of behavior can benefit your relationships and improve your overall well-being.

Final Thoughts about Toxic Personality Traits

Dealing with toxic personality traits in relationships can be difficult, but creating healthier and more fulfilling connections is possible. By setting boundaries, seeking support from friends and loved ones, and seeking professional help if needed, you can work towards improving your relationships and creating a healthier environment for yourself. Remember that it is also essential to look inward and address any of your toxic traits to make positive changes in your relationships. You can progress towards healthier social relationships with the right strategies and support.

Do you know someone who has a toxic personality? Have you ever been in a relationship with someone with one of the 13 toxic traits above? Share your thoughts and experiences with us! Comment below, and let’s start a conversation about identifying and dealing with these toxic traits.

Disclaimer:


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