Skip to main content
HomeSpecialistsBusinessBlogContact us
العربيةFor care providersBook a session
Skip to article text

Am I a Toxic Person? Signs of Emotional Toxicity and How to Start Changing

Ayat Al-NajjarMedical review: Tatmeen team5 min read
Person holding a smiling mask before a cracked mirror, revealing a sad reflection behind it.
Article contents
  1. First: What Does It Mean to Be a Toxic Person?
  2. Signs That May Indicate My Behavior Is Hurting Those Around Me
  3. Why Might I Behave in a Toxic Way Even Though I Love Them?
  4. How Do I Deal with It If I Realize I Have Toxic Behaviors?
  5. You Are Not Toxic Forever
  6. Frequently Asked Questions
  7. Writer and reviewer

Discovering, or even suspecting, that you might be hurting the people you love is not a simple feeling; it can land on your heart in a painful, confusing, guilt-filled way. Many people ask themselves: Is the problem me? Specialists on Tatmeen notice that this question comes up often in sessions, and it is usually the starting point of a deep journey of awareness, not a final and harsh judgment on the self.

In this article, we are not going to stamp your forehead with “toxic person.” Instead, we will try to understand together: What is meant by toxic behavior? What signs may point to it? And how can you, with gentle and clear practical steps, gradually move from being a source of harm to a source of safety for yourself and those around you?

First: What Does It Mean to Be a Toxic Person?

The term “toxic person” has spread widely on social media, but in psychology it is not used as an official diagnosis. Rather, it is an expression for repeated behaviors that wound others, ignore their feelings, or drain their energy.

WebMD explains that a toxic person often behaves in a manipulative, critical, or belittling way toward others’ feelings, which leaves the people around them feeling tense and drained after interacting with them.

It is important to distinguish between:

I am a completely bad person → a harmful and inaccurate idea.

I have toxic behaviors that hurt the people I love → a realistic description, and one that can be changed gradually through learning and support.

The very fact that you are asking, “Am I a toxic person?” means your conscience is present, and that a part of you does not want to hurt anyone. That, in itself, is a point of strength, not weakness.

Signs That May Indicate My Behavior Is Hurting Those Around Me

1. I Always Justify Myself… and Do Not Take Responsibility for My Mistakes

If you find that in most conflicts you say, internally or out loud, “They are the problem, not me,” and you refuse to apologize or to see your part, this is a sign that needs attention. Toxic behavior often runs away from admitting fault, because being wrong feels threatening to the person, so they resort to defensiveness, attack, or flipping the table.

2. I Use Blame and Belittling as a Weapon

You may not shout, but you wound with small phrases like:
“You always fail at the simplest things,” “You are too sensitive,” “No one can put up with you except me.”

These statements leave a deep mark on the other person, even if you say them jokingly or in a moment of anger. With repetition, the person in front of you begins to doubt their own worth and becomes afraid to speak honestly with you.

3. I Control the People Around Me in the Name of “Caring”

Sometimes we think we are loving, while in reality we are besieging.

Behaviors such as: intervening in every decision, checking the phone, having a harsh opinion about every friendship, threatening the other person with breaking up if they do not obey your orders… all of this may feel on the inside like “concern,” but from the outside it is experienced as suffocating control.

4. I Ignore Other People’s Feelings or Belittle Them

If the people around you are used to hearing responses from you like: “Grow up,” “This is trivial,” “You are exaggerating,” they may learn to hide their feelings from you, because they expect judgment from you, not holding and understanding. Ignoring others’ feelings is one of the common patterns of toxic behavior.

5. My Relationships Are Full of Conflicts and Cutoffs

If you look at the history of your relationships, do you notice a repeating pattern of:

  • Friendships that end suddenly with severe problems.

  • Ongoing estrangement from relatives.

  • Similar complaints from different partners?

Mental Health America points out that “toxic behavior” is a pattern that repeats across several relationships, not a single passing incident or reaction on a bad day. If you see this pattern in yourself, it may be time to stop blaming “everyone” and to look, with kindness and courage, at your own part.

Why Might I Behave in a Toxic Way Even Though I Love Them?

This is a sensitive point; many people who show toxic behaviors do not wake up in the morning planning to hurt others. Sometimes:

  • We may have grown up in an environment where shouting, criticism, or sarcasm were frequent, so we think this is a normal way of relating.

  • Or we find that control gives us a temporary sense of safety, because deep down we are afraid of abandonment or rejection.

  • Or we carry old wounds that we have not allowed ourselves to heal, so they turn into harsh defenses against anyone who comes close to us.

In the therapy sessions offered by specialists through Tatmeen , some clients discover that they are repeating with their children the same patterns they themselves suffered from in childhood—not because they are cruel by nature, but because they have not yet learned kinder and clearer alternatives.

How Do I Deal with It If I Realize I Have Toxic Behaviors?

1. Awareness Without Self-Flagellation

The most important step is to admit: “Yes, some of my behaviors hurt the people around me.”

But be careful: admitting this does not mean drowning in self-hatred or labeling yourself “I am a rotten person.” Instead, try to treat yourself as you would a friend who made a mistake and wants to change—with honesty, and at the same time with compassion. You can, for example, write a list of the behaviors you feel are hurting others, and next to each one write: How would I like to act next time?

2. Truly Listening to Others’ Feedback

If more than one person repeats a certain comment about you (for example: “Your criticism is hurtful,” “You do not give me space to talk”), try to see these comments as data rather than attacks. Ask someone you trust: “How do you feel when I deal with you? What things in my way of relating hurt you?” and listen without constant defensiveness.

3. Sincere Apology… With Behavioral Change

Apology is not just a word; it is the beginning of change. Saying, “I realize now that my way with you was hurtful. I am sorry, and I will try to be gentler,” and then genuinely trying to change, is far more important than saying, “Fine, don’t be upset,” without taking any responsibility.

4. Learning Communication Skills and Healthy Boundaries

A large part of toxic behavior is linked to not knowing how to:

  • Express my anger without insulting.

  • Say no without cruelty.

  • Ask for my needs without blackmail or blame.

Individual or family psychotherapy through Tatmeen helps greatly in building these skills in a practical way. It supports people in changing unhealthy behavior patterns and learning new ways of dealing with others and taking responsibility for their actions. In therapy sessions you can practice real-life conversations, explore the roots of your behavior, and learn how to set boundaries for yourself and others without losing the important relationships in your life.

You Are Not Toxic Forever

The question “Am I a toxic person?” is painful, but it is brave. It means you are willing to look at yourself honestly, and that you do not want to remain a source of harm to those you love. Remember that “toxicity” is not a fixed identity, but a set of behaviors that can be understood, deconstructed, and replaced with alternatives that are healthier and more compassionate.

You can start with a small step today: a moment of honesty with yourself, a calm conversation with someone you trust, or booking a session now with a trusted professional through Tatmeen  so we can explore together: What do you want to change? And from what point can you start, without whipping yourself or losing hope in your ability to grow?

Frequently Asked Questions

Does admitting that I have toxic behaviors mean that I am a bad person?

No. Admitting it means that you are aware of your impact on others, and this is maturity, not condemnation. What is harmful is insisting on the hurtful behavior without trying to change it. You can love yourself and, at the same time, work on gradually adjusting your hurtful behaviors.

How do I distinguish between being straightforward and being hurtful?

Healthy honesty aims to solve the problem and is expressed respectfully, while hurtful “honesty” aims at control, devaluation, or venting at the expense of others’ feelings. Pay attention to your tone of voice, your choice of words, and the impact of your words after the conversation: Did you leave the other person broken or feeling understood?

What can I do if I feel that I am toxic but I do not know where to start?

Start with a simple step: observe yourself for a week and write down the situations in which you feel you were harsh or ignored the other person’s feelings. After that, you can share them with a mental health professional to help you understand the roots of these behaviors and put together a small, clear plan for change, step by step.

Writing and article review

Ayat Al-NajjarWritten byAyat Al-Najjar

A writer and researcher specializing in psychiatry, she focuses on mental health and the human emotions we experience but cannot always find the words to name. She writes about us—about humanity and the human experience—and simplifies complex topics to offer content that helps us better understand ourselves and life, ultimately making us feel less alone.

Tatmeen teamMedical reviewTatmeen team

Every Tatmeen article is reviewed by care providers licensed by the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties, so what you read is accurate and trustworthy.

How we write and reviewSpotted an error? Tell us

This article builds understanding and does not replace a licensed care provider.

Need someone to talk to?

Tatmeen's licensed care providers are available around the clock, and the app's urgent consultation connects you with one within minutes.

Talk to a care provider

In immediate danger?

If you or someone you know is in danger, call an ambulance on 997 or go to the nearest emergency department.

Emergency numbers

Was this article helpful?

Add us to Google
All articles

Talk to a care provider

Your session, remotely and your way: voice, video or text.

  • Licensed by the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties
  • Available around the clock
  • Complete privacy and confidentiality
All care providers

One step for you, start now

Download Tatmeen to explore care providers and booking options.

  • Smart matchingFour quick questions suggest the right care provider
  • Urgent consultationTalk to an available care provider within minutes
  • Free psychological measuresMore than 20 tests to understand how you are doing

Scan to download