Sometimes friends have disagreements and even fight, and it is totally okay as long as they are able to forgive each other and move on. However, if they refuse to forgive each other for something they've said or done wrong and hold grudges, their friendship won't last long.
Misunderstandings happen. People fail to communicate. Friendships can be destroyed when two people both have crap going on in their lives at the same time and are unable to support each other through difficult times. Sometimes that's how life goes.
A toxic friend, far from helping relieve stress, can add to it. They might say or do things that upset you when you spend time together, for example. Even when you aren't with them, you might spend a lot of time thinking back to your negative interactions, which can make you feel tense, irritable, even downright awful.
Florence Isaacs, author of Toxic Friends/True Friends, explains to WebMD that a toxic friendship is unsupportive, draining, unrewarding, stifling, unsatisfying, and often unequal. Isaacs goes on to say that toxic friends stress you out, use you, are unreliable, are overly demanding, and don't give anything back.
Friendships change over time. As people and their circumstances change, small disagreements and misunderstandings arise. Ultimately, friends who considered themselves close come to the realization that their paths have diverged. And the friendship could end with a bang or a whimper.
Even if you've been friends with someone for a long time, people can grow apart or no longer put equal effort and care into the relationship. If you can't count on them, or feel like you're doing all the work to maintain the friendship, it's okay to go with your gut and cut it off.
The Leech. This type of friend always needs you and expects you to drop everything when they call. While it is important to be a supportive friend, with this type of friend, you have to set boundaries. If you do not, after a while, this type of friend will drain your energy and your time.
If you're feeling degraded or mistreated by your friend, you are in a negative relationship that can damage your self-esteem and mental health. Malicious Behavior. If your friend speaks to you or calls you names with the intent to hurt your feelings, you are experiencing a bad friendship.
Some friendships end with a mutual decision, some end with a disagreement, and some just sort of fade out. Each type of ending can be painful in its own way, even if you're the one who ended the friendship.
Obviously, most people don't meet all of their friends during childhood and, unfortunately, not all friendships last forever. The poll found that the average friendship lasts for 17 years, however, 17 percent say they've had the same best friend for over 30 years!
5. They never share anything with you. The opposite is also true. If you find yourself constantly opening up to your friend and sharing your deepest secrets with them, but they never return the favor, they may not consider you a close enough friend to trust you.
Action Tip: Sometimes, people may exclude you from situations because they feel annoyed by you or awkward in your presence. It may help to do some self-reflection and work on your social skills so that you don't come across as annoying. This article might help: This is Why People Find You Annoying (& How to Fix It!)
While people have known for years that friendships are unquestionably good for your health, experts say it's only natural for acquaintances and even friends to fall by the wayside as time goes on – and it's nothing to feel guilty about. If you really do miss someone, you can always reach back out.
“Best friends grow apart for the following reasons. They [might] move far away, get into a relationship and spend more time with partner, have kids and doesn't feel the other [person] relates, or start to gravitate toward [other] people who are aligned with her career goals,” clinical psychologist, Dr.
