Vanessa Van EdwardsScience of People, Science Of People · Behavioral Researcher, Founder, Author, Harvard Instructor

Watch Out For These Toxic Traits!

12 Feb 2026 · 1 min

Watch on YouTube

0:52

In this solo YouTube monologue, Vanessa Van Edwards enumerates ten common toxic traits that can damage relationships. She briefly defines each trait with observable behaviors—such as playing the victim, chronic people‑pleasing, entitlement, disinterest, drama‑creation, passive‑aggressiveness, boundary violations, manipulation, and explosive anger—and urges viewers to protect themselves by setting clear boundaries, saying no, or ending the relationship with the toxic individual.

Chapters

Watch out for these toxic traits. First does someone always play victim and never take the blame? That is a toxic trait. Second people pleasing does someone always show up late? They do not respect your time? That is a toxic trait. Number 4 entitlement Number 5 my least favorite disinterest does someone not ask you questions about you and expect you to carry the conversational load? That is a toxic trait. Number six Creates drama Number seven Passive aggressiveness Do you know someone feels negatively but they aren't sharing it with you and they give you the silent treatment or the cold shoulder or you're always guessing how they feel? That is a toxic trait. Number 8 Boundary Violating someone who violates your boundaries that is someone who does not respect your no. Number 9 Manipulative Number 10 Explosive do you never know if someone's going to burst out in a rage or yell or take their anger out on you? That is a toxic trait. Set a boundary say no or say goodbye.