Toxic Friendships: A Common Phenomenon

If you are currently trapped in a toxic friendship and you feel like no one understands, they probably don't if they have never had a toxic friendship experience. However; if it's any consolation to you, keep in mind that you are not alone. The emotional pain and suffering that you're enduring, is felt by many on this day and in this hour. Hang in there!

Before I started my toxic friendship project, I had absolutely no idea this was such a wide spread problem. I thought I was the only one who was living through the madness and drama of a toxic friendship. On the contrary, I discovered that I was actually in the minority, but not because I was involved with a toxic friend but because at forty one years old (the age I was when I met my toxic friend) and had never had a toxic friendship experience before. I had managed to avoid any and all contact with toxic friends even as a teenager.

I was surprised to find that there were so many people who had had at least one toxic friend in their life. Just about everyone I talked to about this subject; including other friends, relatives and strangers had had at least one toxic friendship and was eager to discuss their experience with me. I thought, "Wow!" What planet did I come from? I thought my experience was unique.

My conversations about toxic friendships were nothing they had not heard before. Although most, if not all had never used the term toxic to describe their friendships, they generally used terms such as betrayer, backstabber, liar, the "B" word as well as a few other choice words, etc. Nevertheless, after explaining the term toxic as it relates to friendships, everyone agreed that the friendship they described to me was indeed a toxic one.

Why are toxic friendships such a common phenomenon?

I'm not an expert or anything but I can think of several possible reasons: