9 types of friends that aren’t actually worthy of your time, according to psychology

We all have that friend—the one who drains your energy faster than a dead phone battery.

Sure, they might have been fun in college or helped you move that one time, but as the years roll on, you start to wonder: are they really worth the emotional investment?

Friendship is supposed to lift you up, not weigh you down with drama, guilt trips, or constant negativity.

If you’ve ever found yourself questioning why you keep certain people in your circle, you’re not alone.

According to psychology, there are specific types of friends who aren’t really adding much value to your life—and might even be holding you back.

Ready to spot them and reclaim your time? Let’s dive into the 9 types of friends that just aren’t worth the emotional bandwidth.

Spoiler alert: it’s time to hit “unfollow” in real life!

1) The constant critic

Everyone needs a friend who can provide constructive criticism when necessary. However, when the criticism is continuous and unconstructive, it becomes toxic.

A constant critic is a type of friend who always finds something wrong with what you do. They never miss a chance to point out your mistakes, even when it’s unnecessary.

Over time, this can lead to feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt.

You might notice this friend always has something negative to say about your choices – from your fashion style to your career decisions. They might disguise their criticism as concern or advice, making it hard for you to recognize the toxicity in their behavior.

It’s important to differentiate between a friend who provides useful feedback and one who constantly criticizes you.

The former helps you grow, while the latter harms your self-esteem and overall well-being.

2) The energy vampire

We all have those days when we’re feeling down and need a friend to lean on.

But what happens when that friend is consistently draining your energy? This is the classic hallmark of an energy vampire.

An energy vampire is a friend who always seems to be in crisis. They often monopolize conversations with their problems and seldom show interest in your life or concerns.

You might leave interactions with them feeling emotionally drained and exhausted.

This friend may continuously seek your advice but never seems to take it, perpetuating a cycle of negativity and dependence.

Over time, this can lead to compassion fatigue, where you start to feel indifferent towards their issues out of sheer exhaustion.

3) The overachiever

At first glance, having a high-achieving friend can seem inspiring. Their accomplishments may motivate you to reach your own goals, and their drive can be infectious

. But when their achievements become a yardstick to measure your worth, the friendship quickly turns toxic.

This overachieving friend may unintentionally (or intentionally) make you feel insignificant or unsuccessful in comparison to their accomplishments. They might often highlight their achievements and subtly belittle your efforts or successes.

While it’s natural to compare ourselves to others occasionally, constant comparison can lead to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem. 

4) The fair-weather friend

Let’s be brutally honest here – we all know a fair-weather friend. They’re always around for the good times but mysteriously disappear when things get tough.

This type of friend is all about convenience. They’re there for the laughs, the parties, and the fun outings.

Yet, when you need a shoulder to cry on or someone to lean on during a rough patch, they’re nowhere to be found.

It hurts to realize that a friend isn’t as reliable as you thought they were. But it’s essential to recognize this behavior for what it is – opportunistic and self-centered.

5) The one-way street

Friendship is about give and take. It’s about mutual respect, understanding, and reciprocity. Sadly, not all friendships follow this principle. Some are unfortunately a one-way street.

A one-way-street friend is the one who constantly takes but rarely gives back.

You might find yourself always being the listener, the supporter, or the problem-solver in their life, while they rarely return the favor.

It’s not that you expect something in return for being a friend, but when the imbalance becomes a pattern, it can leave you feeling used and unappreciated.

Remember that expressing your feelings and needs in a friendship is completely okay.

If your friend can’t reciprocate your efforts or respect your needs, it doesn’t mean you’re demanding too much; it means they’re offering too little. And that’s not a reflection on you; it’s a reflection on them.

6) The perpetual victim

We’ve all come across this type of friend – the perpetual victim.

No matter what happens, they always seem to find a way to make themselves the victim, even when they’re clearly in the wrong.

This friend might always have a sob story to share, or they might constantly blame others for their mistakes or misfortunes.

They rarely take responsibility for their actions and are always seeking sympathy.

While it’s natural to feel empathy for a friend who’s going through a tough time, the perpetual victim uses their woes to manipulate others and avoid accountability.

We all face hardships and challenges, but constantly playing the victim isn’t healthy or productive.

Recognize this trait for what it is – a refusal to accept responsibility – and understand that it’s not your job to fix their problems or rescue them from their self-inflicted dramas.

7) The drama queen

Oh, the drama queen! We all know one. They’re the friend who can turn a minor incident into a major catastrophe.

Their life seems to be a never-ending soap opera, and they always need an audience.

This friend might blow things out of proportion or constantly seek attention with their dramatic tales. While it might be entertaining at first, it can become exhausting over time.

You might find yourself being drawn into their dramas, spending your energy and time on issues that aren’t as serious as they make them out to be.

Life’s too short to be caught up in unnecessary drama. While we all have our dramatic moments, constant theatrics can drain your energy and time.

Remember, your role is a friend, not a scriptwriter for their daily soap opera! 

8) The backstabber

It’s time for some hard truth: the backstabber.

This is the friend who seems sweet to your face but gossips or spreads rumors about you behind your back.

Trust is a fundamental cornerstone of any friendship, and when it’s broken, it’s tough to rebuild. This friend breaks that trust by:

• Sharing your private conversations
• Mocking you
• Talking negatively about you to others

You might hear from other friends about things the backstabber has said or done, leaving you feeling betrayed and hurt.

Stand up for yourself. You deserve friends who respect you both in your presence and absence. 

9) The constant negator

The final, and perhaps most crucial friend to be wary of, is the constant negator.

This is the friend who always sees the glass as half empty, never half full. They have a knack for turning positive situations into negative ones and seem to bring a cloud of pessimism wherever they go.

Being around constant negativity can be draining and can even start to affect your own outlook on life.

Positivity and optimism are essential for mental well-being, and having a friend who constantly negates this can be harmful.

Reflecting on your friendships

Here are 9 types of friends who, let’s be honest, don’t deserve a prime spot in your life.

It might feel a little harsh at first, but letting go of friendships that drain you is like clearing out emotional clutter.

You make room for connections that truly lift you up, support your growth, and bring joy.

So, don’t be afraid to reevaluate your circle.

Life’s too short to spend it with people who aren’t worthy of your time—save it for the ones who make you laugh, inspire you, and have your back!