Great article. The section that started with "Women tend to be more inclusive and may tolerate more toxicity in their friendships with other toxic women in the hopes that time will smooth things out or different ways of interacting will make things better" and "In dating relationships, the old adage is always true: if it's bad in the beginning and bad in the middle, it's going to end badly" especially rang true for me.

I have been finding that since I have been reading Co-Dependent No More I am more easily recognizing when someone has crossed a boundary. Knowledge is power! lol. Because we are compassionate it's easy for us to get enmeshed with toxic people. It's an uphill battle avoiding these type but it gets easier. Already this month I have crossed out about 3 people from my list of people that I formerly would have sought out to spend time with. Now it's like, meh--they're not doing it for me. I'm listening to my inner voice of what feels good and uplifting. I figure it's like a muscle--it can be strengthened.

I came across an article today about histrionic people--it really made me think. When we come to this site, we typically think of people to watch out for as only men, but I am discovering that some women can be just as toxic. Check out this link:

http://www.psychforums.com/histrionic-personality/topic32539.html

Take care,

Artgrrl

I'm noticing more when my boundaries are crossed now, too since coming here!

Thank you Artgrrl. That was an eye opener. Never realised that all these different kinds of people fitted under the larger definition of attention seekers who are really emotionally immature people.

Thank you Diana. I have never been good with female friendships and it has been a whole new learning experience to try and spot those that cross boundaries. But I am learning.

I see!

Thank you for posting the article. I like these definitions:

"Toxic relationships are ones where one party often feels wounded by the other.

Toxic relationships are often dominated by hurtful remarks, constant sarcasm, belittling behaviors, or passive-aggressive interactions.

Toxic people are stress-makers. Whether it's from shouting or losing their temper inappropriately or by being mean and saying horrible things, which they often apologize for and say again anyway - they cause stress in others."

The thing is that actually describes the relationship I just left...I have a lot to learn:)....