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My friend is always negative towards me. What do I do?

275 Answers
Last Updated: 05/14/2022 at 3:18am
My friend is always negative towards me. What do I do?
1 Tip to Feel Better
United States
Moderated by

Elaine Kish, LMSW

Clinical Social Work/Therapist

My goal is to treat clients with respect and compassion. I am a supportive, strengths-based therapist with experience in treating mood disorders, grief, and trauma.

Top Rated Answers
slightly
February 21st, 2019 9:49pm
i suppose they're not really going to be aware of their own behaviour until someone brings it up to them. might be worth flagging it up with them as politely as possible to see if they might start to watch the things they say a little more. if they react negatively to that, then maybe consider whether or not this is the type of friend you'd like to have around. not that i'm saying to go around cutting people out ruthlessly! just maybe make a good attempt to reason with them first, and if it seems like actually, they're just a negative or mean-spirited person, then there's not a whole lot you can do to change that other than to ask them to work on themselves
Chris0029
March 2nd, 2019 10:23am
It sounds like this person isn't acting as a friend toward you. In a situation like this, I would ask myself what it is I value about this person and our relationship. Is it just companionship, or something specific about this person? Is it something that still exists between us, or is that gone? If the things you value aren't specific to this person, or aren't a result of who that person is, sometimes the answer is that you aren't really friends. Sometimes people behave poorly under strenuous personal circumstances, so consider whether they're going through something difficult. It's not okay for them to take it out on you, but it can help you understand the situation a little better. Always ask yourself, 'what could be causing this person to act this way if it isn't about me?' It can help you get a better idea of how to manage what's happening, because we often take things personally that really aren't about us at all. It is always okay to take a step back from a friendship if you need to. This can often help a lot because then you'll be able to work things out when the person is able to interact ith you kindly again. If a person's presence in your life is only negative, it is time to seriously consider moving on.
herefory0u
March 31st, 2019 12:14am
I would confront them about and tell them exactly how I feel. You should be honest as you don't want this to carry on. It's not good for your mental health. It could really impact the way you feel and put your mood down. If they don't listen then I would stop talking to this friend. You should have positive vibes around you and someone who will be there for you during hard times. Don't be saddened if this was your very close friend, you will make many more who will treat you better. It's so important to have a positive support system.
Shannon1999
August 22nd, 2021 4:13pm
Perhaps she is jealous of the person you are! Live your best life and ignore the negativity. If it gets too much you can always be honest and ask her why she does this and how it makes you feel. Personally, I believe she/he is not a true friend if they are constantly putting you down, they should be happy to see you accomplish things in life and love to see you strive, they should also be pushing you to always bring out the best in yourself. You do what you think is best, hope it all works out in the end.
Anonymous
December 30th, 2020 2:43pm
It's time to leave I think. Negativity is like Judgement too. Its also not showing acceptance to you, so why stay? I have same situation. I really have a friend who is negative about me, and being mentally ill its very hard but I am stupid to stay and still care about him. I hope you won't be like me. Give yourself freedom and invest on healthy friendships rather. And if we keep staying in toxic relationships what's the sense? Think firstly if it's worth to try and maybe sit down and talk to your friend about this and tell what you feel if your friend doesn't care its time to leave. You should make yourself matter first.
Anonymous
January 2nd, 2021 7:44pm
friends are here to help us and love us and support us. if your friend is being negitive and snobby towards you and not anyone else then chances are theyre the problem and not you. negativity stems from plenty of different things none which are good. hate, jelousy, envy, ect. find a new friend who enjoys your company. time is non replaceable to be carful who you give your time to. spending time with negitive people can change you into bad habits. you start being negitive towards your friends all because of this one person
Refresher514
January 6th, 2021 1:41pm
Ignorance is bliss the best way forward here. Friends are for advice and comfort, if they are always negative, they aren't someone who should be kept in your life. I would personally avoid conflict, though confrontation is sometimes helpful - ignoring the issue is completely and absolutely fine in a situation like this. Friends have the ability to critique us, however if they are always negative - they can't truly be our friends, it is more suggestive that they may even be an enemy. However, I wouldn't describe them as this, they are most probably envious or even having trouble themselves.
Anonymous
February 28th, 2021 9:23am
You need to address this question with your friend because they might not think that they are being negative and there could be a possibility of misunderstanding. It would be helpful if you sit down with your friend and talk about this issue and how it is affecting you in a bad way. However if you feel like you are unable to talk to them alone, you can get another friend to help support you and be there for you since friends are supposed to be supportive and understanding. If the negative things are hurting you badly, you should remember that you shouldn't let other peoples' negativity bring you down.
DearNoOne1412
March 12th, 2021 4:53pm
I can really hear that you feel that your friend is not supporting you in the way you want to be supported. A respectful conversation and negotiating the terms of that friendship goes a long way if both parties decide to make it work. There are of course patterns and behavior’s that are toxic or hurtful and where a more strong-footed, clear-cut conversation can clear any misunderstandings. The main questions you can reflect on can be as follows: What do behavior’s and actions hurt you? What are your boundaries? Are you putting other people’s needs before your own too often? How in general do you resolve conflict? Are you wanting to give your friend another chance? Are you no longer wanting to be this person’s friend? You may want to reflect on your idea of what gaslighting is to you in terms of your relationship with your friend. Are you made to feel that you are too sensitive? Too stupid? Like what you say represents fantasy and not reality? If things have happened to the degree of gas-lighting slowly siphoning them out of your close circles may be something to consider. If keeping them out of your close circle is something you are unsure of or fear because you are worried about the reaction you will get ask yourself whether or not this friend has a positive influence on your mental health. If wanting further support please do not hesitate to communicate with one of our listeners or therapists online. Know that you have control over the decisions you make and it’s ok to tell people how you feel!
Anonymous
March 17th, 2021 8:56pm
I can relate to this, because I'm that negative friend😃 (I'm not weird I swear :,) And to be honest, I am not negative towards anyone in particular, just because my personality is more emotional and I get negative thoughts quickly. Things I say and do might be weird to others and I understand that feeling. I would say, figure out if they are directly negative at you or their personality just seems like that. They my not be actually negative, there is a chance that they make jokes on negative things or they just come off as negative. I know that is possible because I am like that, I have negative thoughts or jokes that makes the situation less serious or stressful for people around me. But that doesn't mean I'm a negative person, I am actually pretty positive and supportive :)
TracyBeeee
March 20th, 2021 4:59am
Negativity from any source will overtake other aspects of your life. It is important to identify how they're being negative. Think of situations where they were negative and think of ways their actions could have been positive. After evaluating their negativity, think about how it has affected other aspects of your life. At this point it may be beneficial to confront your friend about it. Outline ways in which you've felt negativity from them and then try and propose positive ways they could behave towards you instead. If this doesn't work, do what you need to do to ensure you interact with them as little as possible. You don't need that negativity in your life. Surround yourself with positivity and people who live a positive lifestyle and will treat you the way you deserve to be treated.
JuliaNotJuliett
April 10th, 2021 11:49am
I think that the best thing you could do is to tell them that you are bothered by their negative attitude toward you, and maybe talk it out. If the friend in question has issues, lashing out at others is not a healthy outlet, and you are definitely not at fault for any of it. On the other hand, if the friend ignores you and your request, it is safe to say that they are not such a good friend to you, and maybe it would be better to distance yourself, at least for a bit, in order to see how things progress. Take care!
DictaB463
April 11th, 2021 4:16pm
Don't destroy yourself by allowing negative people to affect your positive personality. Negative as a person they may be, it is paramount – if not only for our own healthy and sanity – to resolve the situation in an intelligent and healthy way. First, don't let them get to you. Don't take anything they say personally. Create your own positive environment.The problem with taking things personally with a negative person is that it doesn’t lead anywhere. The only possible outcome is a perceived “victory,” that they’ve managed to “hook” you. Also, be compassionate towards your friend. Not every negative person intentionally acts negatively. For whatever reason, they’ve simply adopted a negative mindset. So you can just give them a compassionate ear and try to instill positivity in them, if they still continue to behave this way, you might as well stay away from them.
Anonymous
April 15th, 2021 6:57pm
You deserve supportive and loving friends so surround yourself with such folks i know it may be hard at first but you need to let go of toxic people but first try consulting this friend try asking them their reasons for such behaviour towards explain them why it hurts you and why should they change it it is possible they do it without realising but once you make them realise and they still continue it its better to walk away from such people. And don't worry about people not liking you or ending up alone you will find people you truly deserve
Saimahab
May 5th, 2021 10:37pm
1. Identify why your friend is behaving that way. 2. If you find out a cause, try to communicate to them about it, 3. If there is no cause or particular reason, it is best you do what will ensure your good well-being. Even if it involves maintaining a distance from your friend, do that. It will help them realize that their behaviour towards you is not justified. I would recommend you to draw boundaries and do not let anybody; be it friend or relative, to invade that. You deserve to be loved, appreciated and valued. People who treat you otherwise do not recognize your worth. Hence, it is better to draw boundaries.
whimsicalWriting9073
June 3rd, 2021 4:49am
Their behave comes across as toxic . Would you consider talking to them about it and See how they react ? If they are understanding, they might not realize what they are doing. Tell them how you want to be treated. See if they respect you. If they get defensive or start gaslighting you, that could be a sign to keep a bit of a distance. There are some narcissistic people out there, who are very charming but don't care about anyone other than themselves. They use people. If your friend fits this description it might be time to move on. But talk to your friend, they might not know what they are doing is wrong and maybe they would improve. In case they are really being negative, you are probably better off them.
Anonymous
June 4th, 2021 12:50am
I think that as friends, you should have a level of freedom to express yourselves to each other. You have as much right as they do to express what you feel too. So have a talk with them. Tell them what and why it is annoying you. Maybe they do it without knowing that it affects you. If you feel ignored or looked down upon then it would be time for you to move on, regardless. Your mental well being is of a lot of importance and nobody deserves a jerk for a friend. Cut them off and seek better company.
Anonymous
July 17th, 2021 10:13pm
Tell them how you feel, it is important to let them know that their words can be hurtful even if they are not meant to. If they still keep on doing it, after you told them it is better if you decrease the interactions with that person, it is hard to leave someone you consider your friend, but you should put yourself and your wellness first. I can asure you that you will be able to have better relationships once you have learned how these interactions should be like. People can have hard days sometimes but doesn't give them right to treat other people bad
Anonymous
July 23rd, 2021 9:11pm
If then being negative towards you makes you feel something you should tell them. Just simply say hey I don’t like how your always so negative. Along with telling them that you should tell them the exact things you don’t like when their being negative. If they don’t like the fact you said that to them then it would be best to take a break from that person for a while until you feel like you can face them once again. If the situation doesn’t get better and starts to affect you even more try and find a different friend to hang out with more.
Brandothemando
February 3rd, 2022 4:06am
Sometimes people get themselves into a negative pattern and sometimes I think if things aren't going well for them they start to take it out on you. I do sometimes think that being positive can attract the negative in people and I am not really sure why. This day and age it feels that people thrive on negative things. One reason I think people can be negative all the time is, well it sounds funny but humans are naturally problem solvers and when everything is positive and going well, there is no problem to solve. But I do also think that people don't always realize they are being negative.
NovaTheListener
April 13th, 2022 8:03pm
Sometimes, when those around us are negative, we can start to pick up on and hold onto some of that negativity. It can have an impact on our own mental health when we find that we're surrounded with negativity on all sides. It might be that your friend is struggling with something themselves. If you feel that you can, you could try talking to your friend openly and maybe signposting them to resources (like 7 Cups!) where they can work through whatever issue they might have going on. Always try to put your own mental wellbeing first, however! Looking after yourself isn't selfish, it's smart. Only after looking after yourself and building your own resilience can you have the strength to help others. If this friend has been causing you continuous distress, it might be time to reflect on the situation and ask yourself if having this person around you is the best thing for YOU.
Anonymous
March 19th, 2022 1:41am
It sounds like you feel that your friend has been critical and not supportive. Is your friend impacting you and/or your emotions harmfully? How are they acting and why do you think they might be acting this way? How do you currently feel about them and what potential steps do you want to take to mend the relationship between you two? It is important to first understand what steps you want to take from here and what you want to achieve for the relationship between you too. After that, you can then make a plan of how to address the issue, whether that be communicating and talking it out or distancing yourself.
NGFOUCAULT
March 13th, 2022 8:30pm
People can project their negativity onto you, and make you feel as if you do not matter. Their attitudes towards you is a reflection of their character rather than your worth. We all need to protect your energy from the negativity and communicate our needs and feelings to those around us. No one truly knows you better than you know yourself. They may not realize how their words can negatively affect you. In loving friendships, both parties should be able to express their needs, concerns, and feelings without judgment. Please take care of your well-being first and foremost. You're loved.
Anonymous
March 6th, 2022 7:47pm
Find out what your friend is feeling about themselves. People are often negative towards aspects they see in others and that they feel strongly about. This may be because they see themselves reflected in this and feely upset about what they are being reminded about. Bullies' behaviour works to a similar system - they attack those they see are weaker because they see something familiar and are embarrassed of that aspect of their own personality. Compassion for your friend will allow you to ask what is wrong in your friend's life. You can support them through whatever difficulty they are experiencing and build a stronger bond with them.
Anonymous
February 27th, 2022 1:54pm
We all have different personalities and therefore our perceptions of events and behaviours may vary. Your friend may not be aware of the effect of their behaviour on you. If this relationship is really important to you try explaining how you feel to them. If you notice an improvement then you can use that to decide where your friendship stands. If this person continues to treat you badly then you may have to consider if their presence in your life as a friend is offering you what you are really looking for. You can get some advice on how best to approach the situation by speaking to a professional.
magicalOcean594
February 27th, 2022 6:26am
setting boundaries is the best thing to learn when it comes to negative people. It can be hard at first and takes a couple tries but after you get it it is great. sometimes if the friend doesnt understand, They will be a little shocked unfortuantly if that is the case then they were more then likely never a friend to begin with. also telling them how you feel is a great way to overcome fear. fear can sometimes be driven when we dont want to hurt the other persons feelings. at the end of the day we want to make sure that we come first
Mellouise
February 4th, 2022 7:37pm
Sit down together and discuss how he or she is making you feel tell them that this is becoming an issue maybe bring it into conversation when you feel that the time is right. I am sorry that your going through this though. Maybe do something go out somewhere or even sit down and have a cup of tea and discuss how your feeling if there a good friend to you and you mean something to them then I do not think it will be a problem. I can understand how your friend being negative all the time could effect you it cant be easy I do hope that you get this issue sorted.
naturalHoney5260
September 29th, 2021 7:11pm
If you consider her as a good friend and a caring one and i Know that you know the answer of this question because you just need one minute to answer it than tell her that if she is doing that without her awareness than she should stop because you don't like that... so if she is a real friend she will understand you and you will have a nice conversation with her about that ....but if she is not a friend you deserve than the situation gonna be different. Anyway from my personal experience with friends i know that being with someone negative is something really toxic that's will drain your energy and your positivity and it's better be alone than being with someone eating your personality alive .
Migulito
October 23rd, 2021 9:49pm
I truly believe that a genuine friend is someone that makes you feel comfortable and uplifts you as an individual. I also have a similar experience as what you are having, and it took me a long time to walk away from negative people I use to consider as friends. I know that its very hard to just walk away and put aside all of the memories and friendships you have found with that friend of yours. But I would like to remind you that, in the long term run, it would heavily drain and you may risk losing yourself and your positiveness as an individual. I would just like to remind you that this life of ours is so precious and there is more to life than we think there is and I firmly believe that being alone in your positiveness is more ideal for your mental health instead of being with people who brings you down and makes your feel unwanted.
sia1325
December 15th, 2021 3:18pm
Nobody deserves to be treated in a negative way and when it comes to friends, they are the ones with whom you share some bond and their negative behavior could really affect you. The first step is always about acknowledging and though it's sad to find your own friend behaving in such a way, it's good that you at least recognized that something's wrong. There are a variety of steps you could take further. Maybe thinking about the situations again and acknowledging what exactly makes it seem negative could help? Maybe asking the person about the reasons that caused them to behave in that way and then taking steps further could be another thing? Maybe talking it out with the person could help you understand their behavior in a better way and maybe that could make it clear if it's a misunderstanding? Other than that a lot of people consider taking a step back and recognizing whom they need most, this could also be called ending the friendship if you find it toxic but in some cases you may not want to lose contact with the person and want to understand their side as well which is a good thing but if it's affecting you a bit much then there's nothing wrong in taking a break and talking to the person once you feel it's alright to do so. Also to add on, make sure that it's not your fault that they are behaving in such manner with you so please make sure to not to blame yourself for anything and to take care of yourself while marking your steps ahead!