As a person, it’s crucial to feel accepted, appreciated, and treated as an equal.
Unfortunately, there are individuals who can make us feel drained, stressed, or even worthless.
These individuals are often characterized as being ‘difficult’ due to their challenging behaviors or personality traits.
Particularly, there are certain types of women who can be incredibly tough to be around, as psychology suggests.
These women may display various negative traits that can exhaust your emotional energy and leave you feeling stressed.
The behaviors can range from being overly critical, excessively needy, to relentlessly competitive.
In this article, I’m going to highlight nine types of women who can be incredibly difficult to be around, according to psychological studies.
Here’s a heads-up for those tricky personalities you may encounter.
1) The perpetual victim
The perpetual victim can make your interactions incredibly challenging.
This woman consistently sees herself as the target of everyone else’s actions, and she’s perpetually caught in a cycle of blaming others for her problems.
It’s not that things aren’t going well for her at work, it’s that her boss hates her.
It’s not that she’s struggling with her finances, it’s that the universe is against her.
In every situation, she manages to find a way to make herself the victim.
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You may find yourself constantly trying to provide solutions or advice, only for them to be dismissed because she believes her problems are caused by external factors beyond her control.
Over time, this can become draining as your attempts to help are met with resistance and negativity.
Interacting with a perpetual victim can leave you feeling helpless and frustrated.
You might feel like you’re always walking on eggshells, afraid to say anything that might be twisted into a personal attack against her.
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2) The narcissist
Dealing with a narcissistic woman can be a daunting task.
She’s the kind of woman who always believes she should be the center of attention, and she often dismisses or undermines the feelings and needs of others.
She’s often charming and charismatic, which might initially draw you in.
However, over time, you may begin to notice a pattern of self-centered behavior that is dismissive of your own needs and feelings.
She might talk excessively about her achievements or make every conversation revolve around her.
She may lack empathy, dismissing or trivializing your problems while exaggerating her own.
Being around a narcissist can be exhausting as they constantly demand validation and attention, leaving little room for your own feelings and experiences.
It can feel like you’re riding an emotional roller coaster, with your worth being determined by how much you can contribute to their self-image.
3) The peacemaker
Ironically, the so-called peacemaker can be a tricky woman to be around.
She’s the one who avoids conflict at all costs, often at the expense of her own feelings, and potentially yours.
While it might seem like a positive trait at first, her constant need to maintain harmony can lead to suppressed feelings and unresolved issues.
She might agree with you even when she doesn’t, just to avoid a disagreement.
She may also avoid addressing important issues or sweep problems under the rug just to maintain the illusion of peace.
This can result in a lack of effective communication and a buildup of unresolved resentment.
4) The emotionally unavailable
The emotionally unavailable woman is a tough one to be around.
She’s the one who sets up walls so high, it’s challenging to reach her, let alone understand her.
She might seem distant, aloof, or detached from her feelings.
She often avoids deep conversations and steers clear of any form of emotional intimacy.
She may have a past filled with hurt and betrayal, causing her to shut down and protect herself from getting hurt again.
Or maybe she just lacks the emotional skills to express her feelings in a healthy way.
It’s as though you’re in a relationship with a ghost, never really knowing what they’re thinking or feeling.
You may find yourself longing for emotional intimacy, but it always seems just out of reach.
5) The over-thinker
The over-thinker is a woman who lives in a whirlwind of thoughts and worries.
She analyzes every situation, every word, and every action to the point of exhaustion.
Her mind is a maze of what-ifs, maybes, and worst-case scenarios.
She can find problems where there are none and worries about things that may never happen.
However, her overthinking isn’t a choice. It’s a part of who she is.
She doesn’t enjoy the endless loop of thoughts any more than you do.
It’s like a radio that never turns off, continuously buzzing with noise.
6) The perfectionist
The perfectionist woman can be incredibly hard to be around.
She has high standards for herself and, often, for the people around her as well.
Nothing is ever good enough for her.
There’s always something that could have been done better, a detail that was overlooked, a goal that was missed by just a fraction.
In her quest for perfection, she can inadvertently create an environment of pressure and stress.
She may be critical of your efforts, not out of malice but from her own internal drive for excellence.
It’s relatable because we all strive for success and have a desire to improve ourselves.
But being around a perfectionist can feel like you’re constantly falling short, which can be exhausting and affect your self-esteem.
7) The drama queen
Ah, the drama queen. Always at the center of a storm, she has a knack for making mountains out of molehills and turning minor incidents into full-blown catastrophes.
Her life is like a soap opera with an endless series of dramatic events.
She often overreacts to situations, blowing things out of proportion and creating unnecessary stress and chaos.
While it can be exhausting to be around her, there’s never a dull moment.
She brings energy and excitement, even if it’s sometimes for the wrong reasons.
Behind all that drama is a woman who craves attention and care.
So, while you may roll your eyes at her theatrics, remember to show her kindness too. After all, every good drama needs a touch of comedy!
8) The people-pleaser
The people-pleaser can be incredibly difficult to be around, and it’s high time we addressed this.
This woman is always bending over backward to make everyone else happy, often sacrificing her own needs and desires in the process.
She says ‘yes’ when she means ‘no’, takes on more than she can handle, and constantly seeks validation and approval from others.
Her self-worth is tied to what others think of her, making her susceptible to manipulation and burnout.
While it’s admirable that she wants to make others happy, it’s vital she understands that it’s okay to put herself first sometimes.
9) The self-critic
Last, but definitely not least, is the self-critic.
This woman can be incredibly hard on herself, always finding fault in her actions, her appearance, her achievements.
She struggles with self-esteem and often feels like she’s not good enough, no matter how much she accomplishes.
Her negative self-talk can be damaging not only to herself but also to those around her, as it creates an environment of negativity and self-doubt.
You may find yourself constantly trying to lift her spirits and reassure her of her worth.
The most important thing to remember when interacting with a self-critic is this: Everyone has their insecurities and struggles with self-esteem at times.
We’re all human, and we’re all perfectly imperfect.
In this situations it’s vital to be kind, both to others and to yourself.
Wrapping things up
So, you’ve recognized a few of these traits in the women around you – now what?
It’s important to remember that everyone has their quirks and shortcomings.
As human beings, we’re all wonderfully complex and perfectly flawed.
Being around difficult people can be challenging, but it’s also an opportunity for growth.
If you’re dealing with someone who consistently makes you feel drained or stressed, it’s okay to create boundaries or distance yourself for your own well-being.
However, if you see these traits in yourself, don’t despair.
Self-awareness is the first step towards change.
Reflect on your relationships and interactions.
Are they nurturing and enriching your life? If not, it might be time for a chat or even a change. After all, life’s too short to be anything but happy.
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