Difficult People

It is inevitable that we will encounter people who are difficult or challenging to deal with. Just as we are sometimes the difficult person to others! With so many personalities, opinions, values, and perspectives, it’s guaranteed that you will encounter people who leave you feeling frustrated or exhausted after interactions. Usually, those encounters happen infrequently – at a family gathering, in line at the grocery store, or especially online!  Often, those interactions require us to regroup, breathe, maybe tell a few people, then let it go and move on.

But what happens when the difficult person you must deal with is someone you see daily or someone close to you? What if that person is your boss, your spouse, parent, or even your child? This can be exhausting and taxing on our mental health.

Symptoms & signs of the stress caused by dealing with difficult people

These emotionally charged interactions can leave you feeling the effects of stress, anxiety, and depression. Depending on the severity of the impact they have on you, difficult people can even be abusive and inflict trauma.

Emotional symptoms

• Inability to stop worrying about encounters with this person
• Feelings of constant fear
• Feelings of never-ending stress
• Being easily startled and/or quick to panic
• Feeling socially isolated or alienated from others in your life
• Being withdrawn from everyday life
• Problems in your social relationships with others due to the feeling of being vulnerable
• Indecisiveness and inability to concentrate
• Low self-esteem
• Feeling worthless
• Lack of joy in things or activities that used to bring pleasure
• Feeling irritated
• Mood swings
• Depression
• Fear of the difficult person
• Fear of attending school, work, or other events where the difficult person may be present
• Feelings of shame
• Misplaced aggression towards other people or family pets
• Openly or secretly planning revenge against the difficult person
• Trust issues
• Feelings of numbness
• Shock and confusion

Physical symptoms

• Trouble catching your breath
• Headaches
• Difficulty sleeping (Insomnia or excessive sleeping)
• Trembling, muscle tension
• Digestive problems (diarrhea, indigestion, nausea, etc.)
• Sweating
• Heart palpitations
• Back pain, chest pain, muscle aches, and joint pain
• Change in appetite or weight
• Self-destructive behaviour (alcohol or drug use/abuse)
• Exhaustion and fatigue
• Trauma response (PTSD)