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4 signs of unhealthy friendship affecting your well-being, says psychotherapist
Friends become family and its hard to imagine life without the people you share some of the most cherished memories with.
Having said that, its also important to take a hard look at some friendships that only create more self-doubt, and anxiety and leave you hanging most of the time. We all have friends we speak to once in a while, but is that good enough a reason to break up with them?
4 qualities that define a healthy friendship
Friendship in todays world isnt the same as it was years ago. Technology has definitely made it easier to build new relationships, while also hurting the existing ones.
Fulfilling relationships with our buddies can better us as a person, but a relationship devoid of some important qualities can be detrimental to our mental well-being. Licensed psychotherapist Israa Nasir outlines some important aspects of a healthy friendship that shouldnt be taken for granted.
1. You should be able to rely on each other
While its alright to catch up with each other once a few months, you cant have a healthy relationship with a friend you cant rely on.
Consistency, as in any relationship, is important in friendship, too. And if you cant show up for your friends when they are in need, you should always let them know rather than leave them hanging.
2. Can you be yourself with them?
Being able to show your vulnerabilities to your friends is extremely important for a solid connection. You cant have a truly authentic connection if you are not vulnerable with the person in front of you, the therapist says.
If your emotional safety feels threatened by someone you consider your friend, perhaps you dont share a healthy friendship.
3. You should be able to hold each other accountable
We are only humans, so we are prone to making mistakes. True friends arent afraid of holding each other accountable. Neither should they persuade you to do damaging things nor be extremely critical that it chips away at your confidence and self-esteem.
4. Communication is key
A healthy friendship allows two-way communication. You should be able to share your experiences and genuine emotions with your friends while also willingly listening to them.
If someone expects you to only listen to them but fails to acknowledge your opinions, its high time you reconsidered friendship with them.
Israa Nasir is an author, speaker, and therapist. She has appeared in some leading lifestyle publications and news networks including POPSUGAR, Teen Vogue, and NBC News among others. She is the founder of the digital mental health brand WellGuide on Instagram and has over 10 years of experience as a licensed therapist.
