7 Traits of Negative People
In our new series on Beyond Medicine, we are taking a look at a number of issues with negativity, such as, how and why it affects people, signs and symptoms of negativity in people, and how negative people themselves can deal with it. Also, we look at how other people can cope with negative people to maintain their own integrity and a balanced look at life and circumstances.
Negativity in people is when they view life as if they have to survive it, as was the issue in ancient days. Studies show that the human brain has evolved to prioritize survival over happiness, and is more inclined to remember negative events and experiences for self-preservation purposes. Times have changed, however, negative childhood experiences or events may register firmly in the minds of people, especially if they are not acknowledging and dealing with their emotions and triggers. Negativity then becomes a way of life – everything is tainted by the lens of what came before and remains unresolved.
Some of the signs and symptoms of negative people are that they:
- Complain constantly: even a benign event like rain can be the cause of complaining.
- Are always negative about the future: nothing good can be forecasted by them.
- Never take responsibility for their actions or circumstances – they always blame others.
- See the worst in other people: they do not give praise, but often put others down.
- Offer unsolicited criticism – you will hear them critiquing everything as if they know best.
- Are jealous of other people’s successes, exhibiting bitterness.
- Are never solution orientated, opting instead to focus on problems, real and perceived.
It is very difficult for close friends and relatives to cope with such negative people, because talking with them is an endless cycle of unsolved problems. One can often feel their own energy becoming drained with negative people, and it takes work to replenish it.
In the next blog, we will take a closer look at factors that surround negativity and how negative people can help themselves develop a more balanced approach to life.
Share with us your experience with negativity.
