 Hey, Psych2go family! So, how do you know if someone is a toxic person? According to psychotherapist Jody Gale in an article by Margarita Tartakovsky, a toxic person is more accurately described as a person who routinely exhibits behaviors that are negative, unhealthy, and debilitating to another person. So here are 10 types of toxic people that you'll likely meet in your life. 1. The Jealous Type Although jealousy can very easily turn toxic, it's important to remember that, to some extent, it's normal in personal relationships. A little bit of jealousy from time to time doesn't make someone toxic. Jealousy becomes toxic when people start to imagine potential situations and rope them in with reality. This is harmful in any relationship because it causes a person to create falsehoods and can easily lead to controlling and possessive behavior. 2. The Egotistical Type Is there someone around you who is constantly belittling others, making them feel worthless and insecure? Anyone who acts or makes another person feel this way is toxic. Anytime someone cannot see past their own needs, their behavior can be toxic. While it's not a bad thing to look out for yourself, it becomes a problem when self-care turns into self-absorbance. 3. The Manipulative Type Do they constantly ask for favors? Get angry when you say no or try to bribe you with things you enjoy to do things for them in return. These are sure signs they're trying to manipulate you. Manipulation is usually reflective of selfishness. People who routinely exhibit manipulative behavior are only looking out for their personal gain, disregarding the feelings of others. Similar to narcissism, this can lead to a huge amount of mistreatment and disrespect. 4. The User Do you know someone who tends to befriend others only to use them as a resource, not to form a genuine relationship? In a school setting, can you recall the ones who contacted you only when they needed homework help and never to chat or ask how you are? This behavior is toxic because it can wear you out, as they seem to only keep you in their lives for their own benefit. You deserve to be valued for the person you are, not just by what you can do for someone else. 5. People Who Feed Off Drama Do you have a friend who constantly gossips about other people's shortcomings? It's never healthy to feel like you're under a microscope. Often times, people who like discussing the shortcomings and flaws of others are indirectly trying to inflate their own self-perception. If someone is known to gossip frequently and stir up drama, it's often in an attempt to hide an underlying insecurity. It's a ploy to seek attention. This can ruin any genuine friendship or relationship you're trying to forge with them. They seem to be more interested in tearing other people down, rather than building up themselves and those around them. Similarly, those who engage in drama are also toxic, even if they don't start it. 6. People Who Are Judgmental Or Overly Critical Is someone around you always quick to amplify faults in others? Are they quick to jump to negative conclusions and make false assumptions? People who constantly judge others are not the best to surround yourself with. Constructive criticism and suggestions can totally be beneficial, but criticism that tends only to highlight your flaws without offering any solutions is detrimental to your mental health. According to psychologist Steven Stonsny, excessive criticism becomes toxic because it makes people feel less valued. Critical people tend to come across as superior to others, and that can have a blaming or belittling effect. And constantly having to hear that something's wrong with you can easily lower your self-esteem. 7. People Who Can't Control Emotional Outbursts Are you walking on eggshells around someone as you never know how to react to something you say? Are others scared to be around them because they can lash out anywhere and anytime with no forewarning? Someone with frequent emotional outbursts is toxic to be around because it can diminish your self-worth. They'll project their emotions onto others, victimizing themselves in the process. The truth is, their emotional volatility is a reflection of their own unresolved insecurities. 8. People Who Disregard Your Values Do they always belittle what you stand for? Do they make your beliefs seem inadequate? Are they constantly trying to mold you according to their ways? People who do this can cause you to ignore or disregard your own values and become very controlling by doing so. No relationship, personal, or professional should cause you to lose sight of who you are and what you stand for. 9. People Who Set Ultimatums Ultimatums are a form of control and manipulation because they can make you feel like your entire relationship with a certain person depends on your compliance to them. This can cause you to feel under pressure and can make your own ideas and values fly out the window. According to clinical psychologist Kathy Nickerson, Ultimatums are processed like threats and thereby remove the factors of love and empathy in a relationship. They leave you feeling suffocated. Any relationship that makes you feel forced or pressured is a toxic one and can cause you to lose your sense of self. And 10. People Who Have An Overly Competitive Mindset Ever heard of people called one uppers? It seems as though they only listen to you to respond with something better. This behavior is toxic because it can leave you feeling like your excitement and accomplishments are not enough. In any relationship, it's important to feel celebrated and cared for. And people who are constantly competitive with you can leave you feeling less worthy and less valuable. Have you experienced such behavior before? Do you think these signs are sufficient criteria for spotting the toxic people around you? Do let us know in the comments below. Also, remember to share with those you think might benefit from it. And as always, thanks for watching.