Our emotions are designed to act as signals. They send us messages and provide us with clues that help us navigate the right direction.
We need to listen to our emotions for this very reason. This is especially the case when you suspect you may be dealing with toxic people, who are skilled at manipulation.
They may try to twist things, but the way someone makes you feel is a huge indicator of the health of your relationship with them.
Their negative energy can seep into your daily routine, your relationships, and your overall well-being.
That’s why if you recognize the following feelings, you’ve likely been dealing with a toxic person.
1) Feeling Emotionally Exhausted After Spending Time With Them
Energy vampires drain your energy reserves and leave you feeling mentally, and sometimes even physically, exhausted.
Even the smallest interactions can leave you feeling so drained that you feel emotionally drained.
I remember a former colleague who was what I call a “negativity addict.”
He always had something to complain about. He was always involved in drama (of his own making). Every time you talk to them, they air their emotional baggage everywhere.
This may not sound very sympathetic or compassionate. But when you’re dealing with extremely toxic people, you’re often helpless to help them, and they’re trying to drag you down with them.
So, if you’re constantly feeling drained after interacting with a certain individual, this is an important sign to look out for.
2) Always Walking on Eggshells
Whenever we feel uncomfortable around someone, it’s usually for good reason.
You may feel like you have to be constantly vigilant so that you don’t inadvertently say or do something that will trigger them.
This makes honest communication pretty much impossible.
While a sensitive approach is admirable, this goes beyond that.
They may try to make it seem like you’re doing unreasonable things to “trigger” them. But the truth is, you’re very aware of how they’re offending or upsetting them because they’re so reactive.
As research has highlighted, there may be something more sinister at play whenever we walk on eggshells, with one study concluding:
“The person who makes another person resort to eggshell behavior is often guilty of emotional abuse, where one partner is put on high alert for the other’s next moves.”
This feeling you’re experiencing is just one manifestation of anxiety, and as we’ll see, there may be more.
3) Increased levels of anxiety around them, and feeling stressed
The natural result of this buildup of stress is additional stress and anxiety.
Since the quality of our social relationships has been noted as a major risk factor when it comes to depression, toxic relationships can seriously impact your mental health.
4) Feeling guilty all the time, even if you can’t figure out why
Despite how devastating it can be, one common tactic that toxic people resort to is playing the victim.
They use this apparent position of vulnerability as leverage. It’s designed to elicit pity so they can further manipulate others emotionally.
When you’re on the receiving end of one of their guilt trips, you may end up feeling a lot of self-blame.
They may blame you for things that are beyond your control. Or they may try to blame you, often for their own emotions and behaviors.
So you may end up believing that it’s your fault when they’re unhappy or angry with you.
That’s why if you’re constantly feeling guilty no matter what you do, you may be dealing with a toxic person.
5) Feeling Bad About Yourself
It’s really common to feel confused and unsure of yourself after spending enough time with a toxic person.
This is especially the case when manipulation and manipulation are at play. It’s all part of their tactics to make you doubt yourself.
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So they can make you question your worth, your abilities, or your decisions.
They can do things like subtly belittle your accomplishments, or try to make you feel like you’re not good enough.
Indirect compliments, insensitive “remarks,” and cruel jokes are just some of the ways these feelings can manifest.
People who care about us or have our best interests at heart are the ones who lift us, not put us down.
If your feelings are consistently unacceptable, and you feel judged all the time, this is a sign that a toxic person is starting to erode your self-esteem.
6) Feeling Disrespected
Unfortunately, toxic people tend to ignore emotional and physical boundaries.
When boundaries are crossed, we can end up feeling taken advantage of.
You may feel unheard, unseen, and as if your wishes are being ignored. This can certainly create a certain amount of resentment or frustration.
Even when you say no, you’re not heard. Similarly, if you ask them not to do something, they continue anyway.
They may try to repeatedly cross boundaries, leaving you feeling extremely upset.
As we’ll see later, you may not know what to do about it because you feel increasingly helpless.
7) Feeling trapped
This can manifest in different ways depending on your relationship with the toxic person in question.
Toxic people can be incredibly controlling, which ultimately robs you of your sense of power.
This can make you feel like you have little choice or say in things.
It’s also common for them to try to isolate you from other people so that their grip on you becomes stronger.
They may create rifts between you and your loved ones. They may distance you from your friends. They may even try to turn you against your family.
Essentially, it’s about removing your support network. The more they try to make you feel alone, the more you’ll feel like you need them.
When dealing with toxic people, it’s common to feel misunderstood, insulted, and unsupported.
This only serves to exacerbate the feeling of helplessness or being stuck in the situation.
Final Thoughts
In short, a toxic person will make you feel worse around them, and worse about yourself.
While no relationship is perfect, there is a disproportionate amount of negative emotions that run rampant in toxic relationships.
Healthy relationships make us feel safe, protected, appreciated, and energized. So pay close attention if there’s someone in your life who projects the opposite. If you’re feeling frustrated, drained, and disrespected, you’re probably dealing with a toxic person.
