Stay away from THESE 5 types of people— Psychology explains why

While we interact with many people and they might say they're our friends, not everyone is our well-wisher. They might seem sweet on our face, but our toxic side behind our backs. Such relationships deeply affect our mental health, self-esteem, and overall well-being in the long run. While no one is perfect, certain personality types can be emotionally draining, manipulative, or even harmful. So, here we list certain types of people one should be aware of and stay away from:

Manipulators often twist facts, play the victim, and guilt-trip others to get their way in every situation. They often blur boundaries, leaving you emotionally exhausted and second-guessing yourself. According to psychology, this behaviour stems from their innate desire to control others so that they can get away with things-- even at the cost of harming others. It's better to identify such people and stay away from them.

While constructive feedback is healthy and helps one grow as a person, constant criticism is equally toxic and it pulls people down. The constant critic never sees the good in anything you do and it subtly (or overtly) tears you down. Over time, being around such people can create a deep sense of inadequacy, make you question yourself, and even hurt and erode your self-esteem.

It is often said that our company determines how far we will go in life, and rightly so. We should surround ourselves with people who love and support us. However, if you notice feeling negative or low around certain people-- it is better to stay away from them. Such energy vampires are emotionally needy people who drain you mentally and emotionally. They constantly complain, gossip, or seek attention, but offer little in return.

Narcissists have an inflated sense of self-importance and crave admiration from others all the time. Also, they lack empathy. They often see relationships as transactions, using others to boost their ego. Psychology categorizes this behaviour as Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD), and dealing with it can be deeply damaging. In romantic relationships, narcissists are known for love-bombing in the beginning, but they turn cold and even cruel once they feel in control of the other person. They dismiss your emotions, deflect blame, and rarely take responsibility for their actions. Beware of such dangerous people, as they can deeply hurt you emotionally.

Everyone faces challenges in life, but the chronic victim refuses to take accountability for their actions. Instead, they always have someone or the other to put all the blame on while they play the victim card. They also expect others to "fix" their problems, without even trying. Psychology describes this behaviour as a victim mentality— a self-sabotaging mindset rooted in helplessness. Their lack of personal responsibility can weigh heavily on relationships, especially if you're empathetic and helpful. It’s okay to offer compassion, but you shouldn’t feel responsible for someone who refuses to help themselves. Emotional balance is key.