How to recognize and protect yourself from a toxic person

The concept of “toxic person” has come into our lexicon relatively recently. Only in 2018 it was officially recognized in popular psychology. Before that, specialists identified people with behavior that poisoned the lives of others with other terms. They put such actions in the definition of a selfish, energy vampire.

psychotherapist

Today, the term “toxic” is increasingly used in speech and is understood by many. Such people pressurize others all the time, have a heavy look, force to act according to their rules. Toxic relationships bring emotional and psychological discomfort. And suffer from such “poisonous” communication, as a rule, close people.

Signs in behavior

The word “toxic” indicates that this person harms and literally poisons the lives of people around him. He, like a vampire, feeds on the energy and morally exhausts his opponent, makes him nervous, hangs his problems.

Such a person is impulsive, often acts without thinking about his actions, spreads gossip, setting some people against others. In his presence is uncomfortable, and want to quickly get out of the field of his influence.

From such behavior most of all suffer loved ones, they have to communicate and tolerate a toxic person every day. Very often such people are left alone in the end – relatives cannot stand it and stop communicating with them.

They often spread gossip

When toxic people lose the opportunity to poison the lives of others, they go to the Internet to pour out their bile. They can easily be seen by the nasty comments they leave on strangers. They criticize appearance, cling to words or turn upside down everything written by opponents.

By causing negativity and nervousness in the victimized person, they experience inner satisfaction. But only for a while. Then they go for a new dose of dope.

How to protect yourself

If on the Internet you can block “toxic” haters or stop reacting to negative comments – in personal communication things are more difficult. But it is possible to protect yourself from the influence of a “toxic” person. How to do it?

Their society is exhausting

1. Limit communication

Try to spend less time around a person who manipulates, imposes his point of view and does not listen to your words. If toxic was a loved one with whom you live under the same roof – mentally build a wall on the next call for pity.

You can use breathing practices. Don’t go too deep into what you said and think about your plans the moment you feel pressured.

2. Avoid manipulation

Do not react to any demands that seem unacceptable to you. Try to remain calm and indifferent. Do not get into an argument. So you will provoke even more pressure and unnecessary emotions on the part of the toxic person.

3- Refuse

Keep a calm, friendly tone when responding negatively to a request. Explain to your opponent that there is no way to help or provide support at this time

You need to learn to tell them “no”

4. set personal boundaries

This is a good skill that will help you in communicating not only with toxic loved ones. Formulate phrases from the words, “This is unacceptable for me”, “I don’t like it when”.

5. Translate topics

When you feel that further communication begins to become unpleasant for you, change the topic. Set a different vector of conversation.

The most important rule in communicating with a toxic person – do not try to remake him, do not point out the shortcomings. Give advice only if a person has realized his weaknesses.