When most of us think of abusive relationships, we think of a significant other. Rarely do we consider the other relationships in our lives. It is more often than not that our trusted best friends are really the ones that want to hurt us. The problem is that it’s not a physical abuse, so it’s harder to catch. A lot of the time we are blind to it, just as victims of abusive relationships are. We try to make up excuses and defend their hurtful behavior. However, being in a toxic friendship is damaging to your self and the best thing to do is remove that toxin from your life. Abusers are extremely good at deceiving us though. They make us feel like we aren’t worthy to be their friend and we should be grateful they even bother with us. Here are signs that you’re in an abusive friendship:

1.) They make you feel as though your accomplishments are not noteworthy.

"Oh, you just won that award? It's not as if you were up against anyone really hard to beat."

2.)They make you feel inferior in conversation.

“I can’t believe you just said that. Stop talking. You just sound stupid.” *eye roll*

3.) Back-handed compliments are their specialty.

"Wow, it looks like you actually brushed your hair today."

4.) Every time you start to feel good about yourself they have to bring you right back down

"That guy is probably just into you because you have big boobs."

5.) They try to polarize you from the opposite sex.

"He’s not good enough for you. You can do so much better. Just stop talking to him."

6.) Your clothing choices are always up for ridicule.

"Why are you wearing that? You aren’t Vanessa Hudgens. Stop trying to be hipster."

7.) If you hang out with anyone else without them, they get angry at you and make you feel bad.

Yet, they hang out with other people all the time.

8.) You just don’t feel good about yourself when you leave them.

Real friends should always leave us feeling better about ourselves.