When it comes to female friendships, finding a good balance is vital, psychologists say. But what about the female friendship that suddenly turns sour?
Call it unhealthy female competition, moments of envy, or just spending too much time with one person, the female relationship can become complicated. And when it does, it can also turn destructive.
So, what are the warning signs of a friendship going bad and what should we do when the cracks start to show?
Susan, 30, had been friends with Nikki since college. They shared the same friends and even the same career. 'Nikki was always incredibly needy and self-absorbed,' says Susan, a real estate agent. 'The friendship was becoming toxic. She was always talking about herself, but when it came my turn to share, she wasn't interested.
'I started to become physically and mentally drained every time I saw her. She would get annoyed if she found out I was seeing other friends instead of her.' When Susan's career and love life surged ahead, Nikki became even nastier. 'I needed to get away,' Susan says.
Emma, 39, also learned the hard way. She met Jane through a mutual friend and discovered that they had much in common. They started spending a lot of time together. 'It felt safe to share my life with Jane,' Emma says. But the cracks soon became evident for Emma, a public relations professional, when her interests suddenly became Jane's too. 'She developed a sudden interest in the same clothing, music and even friends,' Emma says.