Latest news with #psychologists


CBC
12 hours ago
- Climate
- CBC
Feeling bad about being inside during the summer? Sunshine guilt isn't uncommon
Social Sharing Around half past noon on a Tuesday in late July, Casey Blustein zipped a tennis racket into his backpack and made the quick walk to the waterfront tennis courts at Vancouver's Kitsilano Beach. He had an hour for lunch and wasn't about to spend it near his desk when the temperature had hit a prime 25 C. "We live in Canada, so we only have four months of summer," said Blustein. "When you're sitting at home doing nothing, you're feeling guilty. Like, there's always something more I could be doing." Blustein, 32, measures the time since his move from Toronto by his summers spent in Vancouver — this year is his fourth. "I don't even turn my Xbox on the entire summer. Catch up on shows? Whatever. There's always someone at the beach, there's always a bike ride you could be going on," he said. "You see videos of people in the backcountry and it's like, 'Ah, I could be going and doing that.' Why would I want to be in the city doing nothing?" Psychologists say it's not uncommon to feel pressure to spend as much time outside as possible during the fleeting summer months, which can lead some people to feel badly if they're stuck inside. So-called "sunshine guilt" is especially acute in Canada, experts say, because of the sense of urgency to maximize nice weather before it's gone. Summertime sadness Changing seasons often bring up different emotions as routines change — and summer is no exception. Seasonal affective disorder can affect people during hotter months and climate anxiety can hit harder as temperatures spike and wildfires begin. For some, it can manifest as anxiety about making the most of a beautiful day rather than "wasting" hours on downtime or work inside. And videos on Instagram or TikTok showing friends and family having what looks like a great time can compound those feelings. "We have the fear of missing out. You're like, 'Okay, I need to go, I need to enjoy the summer because it's really not long,'" said Yohana Combari, 27, a Montrealer who wanted to spend the last of her five-day West Coast vacation parked on a beach blanket in Kitsilano. "I want to enjoy every minute." WATCH | How seasonal affective disorder can still happen in the summer: Summertime sadness is a real thing. Here's what you need to know 2 months ago Growing up in Mexico City, Aurora Tejeida, 36, used to take sunny days for granted. Not anymore. Having lived in Vancouver for more than a decade, she's moved her sapphic novel book club outside for the summer. This month, they'll meet at Kitsilano Beach to talk about Anna Dorn's Perfume and Pain. ("Not my favourite this year," she said.) "I feel like I need to take advantage of a sunny day whenever I have the chance," the communications manager said in an interview from her home on Commercial Drive. "The guilt is so overwhelming that, towards the end of the summer, I'm kind of ready for fall because then you don't have to feel guilty about staying home and watching a movie or something." Robyn Manzano, a registered psychologist and the clinic director of Refresh Counselling in Calgary, said summertime shame and guilt come up in her practice all the time. Her suggestion? Tiny — be it a few minutes spent outside in the morning with a mug of coffee or a walk around the block after dinner. "It could just be, 'OK, I'm going to go stand outside for a little bit and bask in the sun," she said. "Or the thing that I'm doing indoors, can I take it outside? Or, you know, can I have a picnic? Can I read my book outside? Can I watch whatever it is outside?" She also said summer doesn't have to be perfect to be great — and rest is nothing to feel guilty about. "I think people forget about what they need and think, 'But I should be outside because it's sunny,'" she said. "But if you're thinking, 'I need a day where I just crawl into the couch and read a book or watch a movie' ... Well, that's what you need right now." During the summer, Blustein tries to structure his workday so he can get meetings out of the way in the morning and spend the rest of the day on paperwork, emails and Slack messages. He doesn't mind the urgency of the summer season pushing him to do more but can understand why others might have a hard time. "I'm a pretty big extrovert, so I don't need the battery recharging time — but a lot of people do," he said, rushing to start his tennis game before his lunch break ended. "I don't know how they get that in the summer."
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Yahoo
Horror as British brothers, 11 and 13, drown off Spanish beach after facing difficulty when swimming in sea
Two young British brothers have died on a Spanish beach after facing difficulty when swimming in the sea. The pair — aged 11 and 13 — drowned off Llarga Beach in Salou, Tarragona, on Tuesday night, according to the county's Civil Guard. Their father, who was also in the water, reportedly made a desperate attempt to save his children before being rescued. The 112 emergency service operator first received a call just after 8.45pm, sparking a large emergency response. Paramedics from the Medical Emergency System were sent to the scene alongside a team of psychologists to assist the grieving family. The Salou Local Police, the Catalan Police and the Generalitat Fire Brigade were also mobilised. Authorities have now recorded 16 fatalities in Catalan beaches in just six weeks. Last summer, 11 deaths were reported on the same beaches. Catalonia's Civil Protection said in a statement: "Two brothers, of British nationality and aged 11 and 13, drowned this evening on the Llarga beach in Salou (Tarragona). 'The father of the minors, who had also entered the water, was rescued alive. "These are the 15th and 16th fatalities on Catalan beaches since the summer campaign officially began on June 15, a figure that already exceeds by five those registered in the same period last summer (11). "The emergency telephone number 112 received the warning at 8.47pm. Seven land units of the Medical Emergency System (SEM) intervened in the incident, as well as a team of psychologists activated by the same service to assist the relatives." The British family involved are understood to be staying at the four-star Hotel Best Negresco.

ABC News
2 days ago
- Health
- ABC News
Clients 'disgusted and appalled' by Ramsay Health Care psychology clinic shutdowns
Defence veteran Kate* has battled mental illness for more than a decade, at one point even attempting to take her own life. "I sort of hit rock bottom two and a half years ago again. I asked for help this time, which was good, and I've been getting help ever since with Ramsay," she said. "My psychologist gets me like no one else does." Kate was making significant progress before she received news from her therapist that her local Ramsay Psychology clinic would close at the end of August. Kate's psychologist told her Ramsay Health wanted to transition patients to telehealth appointments. "It feels like [Ramsay Health] didn't want [our psychologists] to tell us so that when we did find out, we would have no choice but to stay with them doing telehealth … instead of allowing our psychologist to work with us to sort something else out beforehand," she said. Last week, the ABC revealed Ramsay Health Care would close 17 of its 20 psychology clinics within weeks, citing concerns like rising costs and uneven demand. A briefing note sent to staff said Ramsay Health Care was "exploring the merits" of expanding its existing psychology telehealth services. The ABC has spoken to multiple psychologists employed at Ramsay Psychology clinics who did not want to be identified because they are not authorised to speak publicly. They said staff were "left completely in the dark" about the decision to close the clinics, describing the company's communication to staff as "appalling" and "shambolic". They also claim there were "zero warning signs" the clinics they worked at were about to close and that they were initially instructed not to communicate the planned closures to some of their patients and were given little time to plan. "It's heartbreaking to see our clients left out there in the community with no support," one psychologist told the ABC. "We have clients who have been attending our clinics for years and a lot of them have come out of sessions crying, because the psychologist told them that they will no longer be seen by them. "We will have to find a space to see these vulnerable clients and sometimes they are just not easy to find." Psychologists said they were told their contracts would be ending, but they might be able to pick up telehealth sessions, however it was unclear what that model would look like. Ramsay Health Care is Australia's largest private hospital operator, and its psychology clinics treat a range of high-risk patients with various mental health conditions, including young children, for conditions like depression or PTSD. The provider also runs a separate network of mental health clinics, however they will not be affected by the change. The President of the Australian Psychological Society, Dr Sara Quinn, said the closure of Ramsay Health's psychology clinics across multiple states would have a big impact on its patients. "When a local psychological service closes, it doesn't just remove that place for these people to go, it removes that trusted pathway into care for those who are most vulnerable," she said. "A closure forces people to start again with a new clinician if they're able to find one. And that can, for some people, involve retelling incredibly traumatic and difficult histories, navigating systems that they've never navigated before. "It can then lead to people falling through the cracks." Dr Quinn said clients with the most acute needs would be disproportionately affected. "The clinics that have been closed are closely connected to hospital mental health systems," she said. "People on psychiatry wait lists or those recently discharged from hospital are going to then lose critical follow-up care at the very moment they're potentially most at risk. "So instead of stabilising there, they're left in limbo and we know that many will deteriorate or even end up back in emergency or relapse to the point of needing another hospital admission," she said. Dr Quinn said the clinic closures have also sent shock waves through the profession. "Without urgent reform, closures like this are going to become more common and even more Australians will miss out on the mental health care they need and deserve." One week after Kate learned her local clinic was closing, she received an email from Ramsay Psychology confirming it would shut its doors at the end of August and offer clients telehealth sessions instead. Kate will be able to continue seeing her psychologist in person at another clinic but she said if that was not the case, she would have been "scrambling to find another one" because "there's no way I would have continued with Ramsay." In a statement, Ramsay Health Care said it, "has been working closely with psychologists and other stakeholders to ensure a safe and considered transition for clients impacted". The provider also said it had asked "psychologists to communicate directly with their clients and support them to continue care — either through our expanded telehealth services or with another trusted provider" and that "clients are being informed as part of this process". *Name has been changed to protect identity.


Forbes
2 days ago
- General
- Forbes
2 Reasons Why You Might Be Feeling ‘Lost' In Life, By A Psychologist
If you're tired of living for others rather than living for yourself, you might be feeling lost ... More about what to do next. Here's why so many people find themselves in this position. The journey to finding, or rather, understanding yourself is lifelong and one that is constantly evolving. With every phase of life, you likely learn a little more about yourself. In some ways, you grow and in others, you outgrow the old. This process is rarely ever linear. You may not walk a straight path directly from confusion to clarity. You may experience both, while learning and unlearning parts of you throughout your life. This is why it's normal to go through phases of deep uncertainty. It could be about your path, your purpose and even your sense of self. That said, it's important to remember that there's no deadline by which you're supposed to have it all figured out, even if the world around you often makes it feel that way. It's possible to feel you have found clarity at 22, then question everything at 29 and feel lost at 40, then rediscover something new about yourself at 41. While these periods of uncertainty are natural, there are also certain patterns that can make them more confusing or longer than they need to be. This might lead you to circle around the same questions over and over, such as why you haven't been able to figure out what you want or why you feel so disconnected from yourself. Here are two reasons why you often feel lost in life, based on research. 1. You Confuse External Expectations For Inner Clarity On the surface, you may feel like you've made clear choices and independent decisions in your life. However, these choices may have been subtly or overtly influenced by what others expected of you, including your parents, teachers or your socio-cultural environment. In contrast, goals shaped by genuine self-exploration tend to align with who you truly are, rather than who you're expected to be. This also makes them more fulfilling and sustainable in the long run. Even with this knowledge, the influences from your environment and upbringing are often so deeply intertwined with your sense of self that it can be hard to tell where external expectations end and your true desires begin. It's normal to mistake the opinions and ideals subtly placed upon you as your own, often not out of denial, but simply because it's all you've ever known. Classic research by psychologist James E. Marcia, published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, offers some insight into this experience. Marcia sought to understand how young people develop a sense of identity; specifically how they figure out who they are and what they want in life. Participants were grouped into four 'identity statuses' based on whether they had actively explored different life paths and whether they had committed to any, like career choices or belief systems. These categories included people who had explored and committed (Identity Achievement), those still exploring (Moratorium), those who committed without exploring (Foreclosure) and those who hadn't done either (Identity Diffusion). Marcia used both interviews and real tasks, such as mentally challenging puzzles under pressure, to see how well people coped with internal stress and whether their decision-making was authentic or externally driven. Marcia found that those who had explored and then committed (Identity Achievement) were more resilient under stress, set realistic goals and had healthier self-esteem. On the other hand, those who had simply adopted what others expected of them without real self-reflection (Foreclosure) set overly ambitious goals, showed more rigid thinking and struggled more under pressure. This highlights something simple yet profound: that true clarity and confidence don't come from trying to match up to what others expect of you, but rather from exploring your values and desires first. Let this also be a reminder that surface-level certainty, like choosing a career path early or appearing decisive doesn't always mean you're in tune with yourself. So, in case you find yourself spiraling about being confused or unmotivated despite having a 'clear' path laid out for you, just know that it's possible that this confusion is not random. It could be arising from a silent mismatch between what you're doing and what you truly want. Use this inner conflict as a signal to ask yourself if this is really what you want or just what you thought you were supposed to want. When you start being honest with yourself, it can feel unsettling at first. However, this is often the starting point of true inner alignment. 2. You Don't Have The Space To Listen To Yourself Feeling lost is often a result of not having the time and space to connect with yourself. This is especially difficult due to the demands of hustle culture. Your inner voice, wants or opinions can easily get drowned out in the noise of constantly being told what to do. It's possible that you become so used to external input, deadlines and fast-paced routines that the idea of slowing down to actually ask yourself, 'What do I want?' can feel foreign. The problem isn't about being lost. It's more about the fact that you likely haven't given yourself space or a chance to truly listen to your inner self. Research published in Neuroimage explored how the tendency to 'mind-wander,' that is, to get lost in your thoughts, is connected to specific brain networks, particularly the default mode network. Researchers found that by stimulating certain regions of the brain including the right inferior parietal lobule (IPL) and the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), they could either reduce or increase a person's mind-wandering. When certain parts of the brain, like the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), sent signals to another area called the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), it made people more likely to drift into their thoughts. In short, this means that when the brain is overly activated in certain ways, especially under constant stimulation and busyness, it becomes harder to filter through internal noise and hear what you truly think or feel. This is why stillness is necessary for clarity. Without moments of conscious reflection, it's easy to confuse mental noise for intuition. If you've been feeling unsure about your future or disconnected from your purpose, the answer might lie in taking a pause and doing less. True clarity rarely ever comes in the middle of chaos. Instead, it often arrives in the quiet moments, when you stop trying to figure everything out and simply listen, or rather, when you let yourself just be. Know that your inner voice isn't gone. It's just waiting for enough stillness to be heard. Build Clarity By Getting Closer To Yourself Here are a few ways to feel closer to yourself and more certain about the path that lies ahead. Remember that the point isn't to have everything figured out. It's to get closer to yourself. Not to find the supposed 'right' answer, but to gently tune in to what feels right to you, what lights you up and what makes you feel like you're finally coming home to who you are. Take this science-backed test to understand what's really shaping your choices — internal drive or external pressure: Locus Of Control scale
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
15 Red Flags You're Being Manipulated By A 'Nice' Friend With A Dark Agenda
Friendships should be a source of joy and support, but sometimes what seems genuine might hide something more sinister. If you've ever had that nagging feeling in your gut that something is off with a friend, you might be dealing with manipulation cloaked in niceness. It's tricky because these friends often appear well-intentioned, but their actions can reveal otherwise. Let's dive into some signs that might indicate your "nice" friend has a darker agenda. 1. They Shower With Over-The-Top Compliments At first, it might feel great to receive an endless stream of praise from your friend, but excessive compliments can be a tool for manipulation. A study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology highlights how flattery can create a sense of indebtedness, making you more likely to comply with the flatterer's requests. When your friend constantly praises you, it might be their way of subtly controlling your actions and ensuring you focus on pleasing them. Consider whether their compliments come with strings attached or if they encourage you to make decisions you wouldn't normally make. Genuine friends uplift you, while manipulators use praise as a currency to get what they want. Over-the-top compliments can also undermine your self-confidence. If you start to rely on their approval to feel good about yourself, it can create an unhealthy dynamic. Instead of feeling empowered, you may become dependent on their validation. This dependency can lead to a cycle where you continually seek their approval, often at the cost of your own self-worth. Be wary if your friend's compliments feel more like a leash than a boost. 2. They Constantly Guilt-Trip Does your friend make you feel bad for not spending enough time with them, even when you have valid reasons? Guilt-tripping is a classic manipulation tactic used to control others. If a friend often makes you feel guilty for living your life, it's a sign they might be prioritizing their needs over yours. They might say things like, "I guess I'll just be alone again," subtly blaming you for their loneliness. This emotional manipulation can make you forgo your own plans and cater to theirs, which isn't healthy or fair. Guilt-tripping erodes your autonomy and can make you question your choices. If you notice you're constantly defending your actions or explaining your needs, it's a sign of imbalance in the friendship. Over time, this can breed resentment, as you may start feeling your friendship revolves solely around their needs. Genuine friends respect your boundaries and understand that your time and energy are valuable. They don't make you feel like you owe them for living your life. 3. They Play The Victim To Gain Sympathy Manipulative friends often portray themselves as victims to gain sympathy and control. According to Dr. George Simon, a psychologist and author of 'In Sheep's Clothing: Understanding and Dealing with Manipulative People,' manipulators use victimhood to exploit others' good nature. When a friend frequently casts themselves as a victim in every scenario, it can be a red flag. They might exaggerate their struggles to make you feel responsible for their happiness or to justify their behavior. This tactic can trap you into a cycle of caretaking, where you constantly have to rescue them from their self-imposed crises. Playing the victim can also manipulate group dynamics. By continuously presenting themselves as wronged or mistreated, they can sway the group's perception, gaining sympathy and support. This behavior creates an environment where you feel compelled to side with them, even against your better judgment. Over time, this can exhaust your emotional resources and strain your other relationships. True friends face challenges with resilience, not manipulation, and they don't drag others into their drama unnecessarily. 4. They're Selectively Generous Generosity is a wonderful trait, but when it's selective, it can be a tool for control. If your friend is only generous when they need something in return, it's a sign of manipulation. They might lavish you with gifts or favors, only to remind you of them later when they want something from you. This behavior creates a transactional relationship, where you start to feel indebted to them. It's important to recognize that true generosity doesn't come with conditions. Selective generosity can distort your perception of friendship. When you're constantly being reminded of what's been done for you, it turns genuine acts of kindness into leverage. You might start feeling anxious every time they offer to help, wondering what they'll expect in return. This can erode the foundation of trust and mutual support in your friendship. Real friends give without expecting anything back and understand that relationships aren't a scorecard. 5. They Test Your Loyalty A friend who frequently questions your loyalty might have ulterior motives. Dr. Carla Marie Manly, a clinical psychologist, mentions that trust-testing is a common tactic among manipulative personalities to keep you on your toes. When your friend sets up scenarios to test your allegiance, it might be their way of maintaining control over your relationship. This can manifest through jealousy or creating scenarios where you have to prove your commitment to them. Such behavior suggests that they are more interested in testing your loyalty than nurturing a healthy friendship. Constant loyalty tests can create unnecessary stress. Always feeling like you have to prove yourself can lead to emotional exhaustion and self-doubt. You might find yourself constantly second-guessing your actions, worrying that you're not doing enough to show your dedication. This dynamic can be both emotionally draining and damaging to your self-esteem. A healthy friendship should be built on trust and mutual respect, not endless tests and suspicion. 6. They Subtly Undermine You A manipulative friend might subtly undermine your confidence by planting seeds of doubt. They may disguise criticism as concern, making snide remarks about your choices or achievements. These comments erode your self-esteem over time, making you more reliant on their guidance and approval. It's important to distinguish between constructive feedback and comments meant to diminish your confidence. Genuine friends support your growth and encourage your autonomy. Subtle undermining can manifest in backhanded compliments or comparisons with others. This tactic is designed to make you question your worth and abilities. Over time, you might internalize their criticism and start doubting your potential. As your confidence wanes, their influence over you grows stronger. Recognizing this behavior is crucial to maintaining your self-worth and independence in the friendship. 7. Their Behavior Is Erratic When your friend's behavior swings from hot to cold, it can be a sign of manipulation. According to Dr. Susan Krauss Whitbourne, a professor of Psychology, inconsistency can keep people in a state of uncertainty and dependency. This unpredictability can make you feel anxious and eager to please, as you never know what version of them you'll encounter. One day they're enthusiastic and supportive; the next, they're distant and critical. This inconsistency can be emotionally exhausting and a tactic to keep you guessing and on edge. Inconsistent behavior can create a sense of instability in the friendship. You might find yourself walking on eggshells, unsure of how they'll react to different situations. This unpredictability can lead you to continuously alter your behavior to maintain their approval. Over time, this dynamic can take a toll on your mental health and self-assurance. True friends are consistent in their actions and emotions, providing a stable and supportive presence. 8. They Control Your Social Circle A manipulative friend might attempt to control who you spend time with, isolating you from others. They may criticize your other friends or make you feel guilty for spending time with anyone else. This behavior is often rooted in jealousy and a desire to monopolize your attention. By limiting your social interactions, they can exert more influence over your thoughts and decisions. Such behavior is unhealthy and a major red flag in any friendship. Controlling your social circle can lead to isolation. As you become more dependent on them for social interaction, you might lose touch with other friends. This isolation can make you more susceptible to their manipulation, as they become your primary source of support. It's crucial to maintain a diverse social network for a balanced perspective and emotional health. A true friend encourages your connections with others and respects your autonomy. 9. They Gaslight Your Feelings And Experiences Gaslighting is a manipulative tactic where someone makes you doubt your perceptions and experiences. If your friend frequently downplays your feelings or insists that your recollections are wrong, they might be gaslighting you. This behavior is designed to make you question your sanity and become more reliant on their version of reality. Over time, you might start doubting your instincts and judgment, which can erode your self-trust. A supportive friend validates your feelings and experiences instead of dismissing them. Gaslighting can have serious emotional consequences. When you're constantly told that your reality is wrong, it can lead to confusion and self-doubt. You might start relying on the manipulator to interpret situations for you, giving them more control over your thoughts and actions. Recognizing gaslighting is the first step in breaking free from its damaging effects. True friends respect your perspective and encourage you to trust yourself. 10. They Push Your Buttons And Your Boundaries Manipulative friends often push your boundaries to see how far they can go. They might pressure you to do things you're uncomfortable with or dismiss your attempts to establish limits. This behavior can make you feel guilty for asserting your needs and force you into situations you'd rather avoid. Over time, this erodes your ability to set healthy boundaries and assert your autonomy. Recognizing when your boundaries are being pushed is crucial for maintaining your self-respect and well-being. Boundary pushing can make you feel disempowered in the friendship. When your limits are constantly ignored, it sends a message that your needs are unimportant. This dynamic can lead to resentment and a feeling of being trapped in the friendship. It's essential to stand firm in your boundaries and communicate them clearly. A true friend respects your limits and values your comfort and well-being. 11. They Create Drama For No Reason Does your friend seem to thrive on chaos, constantly creating drama in their life and involving you in it? This behavior is often a manipulation tactic to keep you engaged and invested in their issues. They might exaggerate conflicts or create new ones to capture your attention and sympathy. This constant drama can be emotionally draining and distract you from your own life. A healthy friendship should provide balance and support, not constant turmoil. Creating drama can also foster dependency. As you get drawn into their chaos, you might feel responsible for helping them resolve their issues. This dynamic can consume your emotional resources and make you more focused on their problems than your own. Over time, you might find yourself trapped in a cycle of drama that's hard to break. Recognizing this pattern is key to protecting your emotional health and maintaining perspective. 12. They Withhold Their Attention And Affection Some manipulative friends use affection as a tool for control, giving or withholding it based on your actions. This tactic can create a cycle of reward and punishment, where you feel compelled to earn their approval through specific behaviors. Withholding affection can make you feel insecure and anxious, as you constantly seek their validation. This dynamic can erode your self-esteem and make you more dependent on their approval. A true friend gives affection freely, without conditions. Withholding affection can also create a power imbalance in the friendship. When one person controls the emotional climate, it puts them in a position of authority. This imbalance can make you feel powerless and desperate for their approval. Over time, the need for their affection can overshadow your own needs and desires. Recognizing this manipulation tactic is crucial for reclaiming your sense of self-worth and independence. 13. They Engage In Passive-Aggressive Behavior Passive-aggressive behavior is a subtle yet common manipulation tactic. A friend who uses sarcasm, backhanded compliments, or silent treatment might be expressing their dissatisfaction indirectly. This behavior can leave you feeling confused and unsure about their emotions, as they never communicate openly. Over time, this indirect hostility can create tension and insecurity in the friendship. A healthy friendship should be based on open communication, not hidden resentment. Passive-aggressive behavior can also undermine your confidence. When criticisms are masked as jokes or offhand comments, it can be difficult to address them directly. This ambiguity creates an environment where you're constantly second-guessing your actions and responses. It's important to recognize passive-aggressive behavior and address it openly. True friends communicate their feelings honestly and work toward resolving conflicts constructively. 14. They Monitor Your Every Move A friend who constantly checks up on you might be crossing a line. Excessive monitoring, whether through frequent calls, texts, or social media stalking, can be a form of control. They might justify this behavior as concern, but it often stems from a desire to manipulate your actions. This constant surveillance can make you feel trapped and erode your sense of privacy. A true friend respects your independence and doesn't feel the need to monitor your every move. Excessive monitoring can lead to a lack of trust in the friendship. When someone constantly checks on you, it can signal insecurity and a lack of faith in your choices. This behavior can create a sense of suffocation, where you feel like your life is under a microscope. It's essential to establish clear boundaries and communicate your need for privacy. Genuine friendship is built on mutual trust and respect, not surveillance. 15. They Play Favorites To Make You Feel Bad Does your friend have a habit of playing favorites, showing preferential treatment to others in your group? This behavior can be a manipulation tactic to incite jealousy and competition. By elevating one person over others, they can shift dynamics and create tension within the group. This favoritism can make you feel undervalued and uncertain about your standing in the friendship. A healthy relationship should be inclusive and supportive, not divisive. Playing favorites can also create unnecessary rivalry. When someone is constantly praised or favored, it can create a competitive environment that strains friendships. You might find yourself going out of your way to seek approval or trying to outshine others to maintain your position. This dynamic can be exhausting and detrimental to group cohesion. A true friend treats everyone with equal respect and appreciation, fostering harmony and unity. Solve the daily Crossword