Are YOU in a toxic friendship? Psychologist reveals 9 signs – from being put down by your pal in front of others to their problems taking centre stage

• Dr. Lalitaa Suglani is a Chartered Psychologist based in Birmingham 
• Also creates content online about mental health topics, sharing it on Instagram 
• In a recent post, she revealed nine signs you may be in a toxic friendship
• These include your friend only calling when they want something from you 

An expert has revealed nine signs you may be in a toxic friendship – from your friend only calling when they want something to you feeling bad after spending time with them.

Dr Lalitaa Suglani, a chartered psychologist based in Birmingham, shared the information in a post on Instagram, where she more than 100,000 followers. 

In the post, she said that if a friend is showing some of these traits, it is ‘perhaps time to evaluate and analyse the friendship’.

However, Dr Lalitaa added that ‘before closing the door, it is important to not diagnose them as “toxic” but to see what might be going on and if you both can consciously work together on transitioning’. 

The psychologist said that ‘if you notice something is not right then you should probably re-evaluate the friendship’ (stock image)

However, she noted that she is mindful about using the term ‘toxic’, or diagnosing people with it. 

She wrote: Friends should make you feel good, empowered and uplifted. 

Dr Lalitaa reveals 9 signs you may be in a toxic friendship

1. They only call when they want something.

2. There is always a drama of some sort.

3. They put you down and make fun of you in front of others.

4. You feel bad about yourself when you’ve spent time with them.

5. They exclude you from things with mutual friends.

6. They aren’t happy for you when good things happen.

7. They can use your secrets against you and share them with others.

8. They often gossip about others.

9. It’s more about them and their problems. 

‘Of course there are going to be times where this does not happen as you or them might be going through something’. 

She continued: ‘If you notice something is not right then you should probably re-evaluate the friendship.

‘A friendship works both ways. 

‘Naturally as you go through life you may transition away from a friend and that’s ok, of course it can feel sad as you have memories, that doesn’t mean you have to end the friendship.’

Dr Lalitaa went on to list nine signs you may be in a toxic friendship. 

These include your friend only calling when they want something and always having some kind of drama.

Other signs she listed are putting you down and making fun of you in front of others, and excluding you from things with mutual friends.

Dr Lalitaa also noted that you may feel bad about yourself when you’ve spent time with them.

Among the other signs listed by the psychologist were not being happy for you when good things happen, and gossiping about others.

She also noted that toxic friends can use your secrets against you and share them with others.

Finally, she said that a sign of a toxic friend can be that the friendship is more about them and their problems.

Dr Lalitaa ended the post with a positive message for her followers.

She noted that ‘you are worthy and deserving of kindness, love and respect in a healthy friendship’. 

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