For 17-year-old Annalisa, her friendship group has always been a tight-knit trio consisting of B, C, and D. However, over the past year, she's noticed that she and her partner in crime B have been consistently ignored by C and D, prompting them to break free from their usual routine and do things on their own terms.
The turning point came when Annalisa, B, and C/D were out together, and they had gone about it without informing the others. C was noticeably upset, which was surprising given her history of excluding her friends. This recent incident brought to a head feelings that C didn't value Annalisa's friendship as much as she expected.
Annalisa is now at a crossroads. She feels that the friendship is unsustainable and that she deserves better than someone who consistently leaves her out without acknowledging it. Seeking advice from clinical psychologist Prof Alessandra Lemma, Annalisa realized that the dynamic between them was all about C needing to be central and punishing when she wasn't.
Lemma noted that true narcissists are fragile individuals who crave attention and become upset easily. Annalisa seems in a strong position with her friend B, whom she values highly. The advice is clear: prioritize her relationship with B and stop apologizing to C, as this reinforces the toxic pattern of behavior.
Accepting that sometimes friendships aren't what we want can be a tough pill to swallow. However, it's also liberating to acknowledge when it's time to let go of something that no longer serves us. With emotional intelligence comes the challenge of navigating complex relationships and recognizing unhealthy patterns.
For Annalisa, the question is whether this friendship is worth keeping. The answer seems clear: she's worth more than what C has to offer. It's time for her to prioritize herself and the positive relationship she shares with B.
The turning point came when Annalisa, B, and C/D were out together, and they had gone about it without informing the others. C was noticeably upset, which was surprising given her history of excluding her friends. This recent incident brought to a head feelings that C didn't value Annalisa's friendship as much as she expected.
Annalisa is now at a crossroads. She feels that the friendship is unsustainable and that she deserves better than someone who consistently leaves her out without acknowledging it. Seeking advice from clinical psychologist Prof Alessandra Lemma, Annalisa realized that the dynamic between them was all about C needing to be central and punishing when she wasn't.
Lemma noted that true narcissists are fragile individuals who crave attention and become upset easily. Annalisa seems in a strong position with her friend B, whom she values highly. The advice is clear: prioritize her relationship with B and stop apologizing to C, as this reinforces the toxic pattern of behavior.
Accepting that sometimes friendships aren't what we want can be a tough pill to swallow. However, it's also liberating to acknowledge when it's time to let go of something that no longer serves us. With emotional intelligence comes the challenge of navigating complex relationships and recognizing unhealthy patterns.
For Annalisa, the question is whether this friendship is worth keeping. The answer seems clear: she's worth more than what C has to offer. It's time for her to prioritize herself and the positive relationship she shares with B.