Friendships are crucial to our well-being, but sometimes it can be hard to tell when they might be doing more harm than good. Spotting red flags in close friendships can be tricky because we often don’t want to believe that our besties might secretly harbor envy or cause us more stress than joy. After all, we rely on our friends for support, connection, and shared experiences. These bonds are essential for our mental and emotional health as well as our physical well-being. 

While we’re often quick to identify red flags in romantic relationships—those behaviors that make us feel uneasy—it’s not always as easy to recognize when a friendship is going sour. In fact, we may overlook the signs because we’re so invested in maintaining those connections.

Here are eight signs that your friendship might be in trouble—and when it’s time to reconsider ending that toxic relationship.

Two girlfriends sitting on sofa and arguing with each other

Source: Prostock-Studio / Getty

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