People Who Are Mentally & Emotionally Sketchy Usually Say 10 Phrases In Casual Conversation
Volodymyr TVERDOKHLIB | ShutterstockThere are more sketchy people out there than most of us realize. We may think of someone sketchy as lurking in a dark corner wearing a trench coat, but mentally and emotionally sketchy people are everywhere, sometimes even manipulating behind the scenes in our own families.
At first, you don't think much of their behavior. Maybe they're having an off day, or maybe there's not enough coffee in their system. But if someone says these 10 phrases with any sort of frequency, it's time to start setting boundaries now.
10 phrases people who are mentally and emotionally sketchy say often:
1. 'People always betray me'
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It isn't just the breakups that hurt, family betrayal and deteriorating friendships are hard to bounce back from.
But betrayal and heartbreak are a normal part of life, and just because you've been hurt before doesn't mean you need to make it your entire personality. But that's what emotionally sketchy people do.
Hurtful experiences aren't meant to break you; they're meant to shape you. As clinical health psychologist Jade Wu, Ph.D., writes, "It may seem counterintuitive, but sadness is actually vital to our well-being."
Unfortunately, skethcy people refuse to understand this, which is why they say, "People always betray me," instead. They want to seem like a victim, but they're probably more responsible for the outcomes of their bad relationships than they'd care to admit.
2. 'They deserved it'
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When someone notes that a bad thing happened to someone because they deserve it, it should be a big read flag.
Regardless of how they betrayed you, wishing someone harm says more about you than you realize. It's hard to forgive, but mentally and emotionally honest people find a way to move on without obsessing on bad things happening to the people they dislike.
Unfortunately, emotionally sketchy people rarely change. They're too caught up in their ways, which is why they're gloat in other people's suffering.
3. 'I'm the only real person here'
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We all wear masks. It doesn't matter how real you try to be, social expectations can sometimes dictate how we move. But sketchy people not only put on more masks in order to get what they want, they also refuse to admit they're ever being anything other than fully authentic.
This is why it's lowkey weird to say, "I'm the only real person here" and should grab your attention when you hear it. Not only is it false, but it's delusional, too. They don't know everyone in the room, they don't know how authentic anyone else is being.
So, while they make big claims about being real, take it as a sign they're probably calling out their own sketchy issues by projecting onto others.
4. 'That could never be me'
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Sketchy people love to play judge and think bad stuff happens to other people and could never happen to them. . Scrolling on TikTok or side-eyeing at church or school, they love to pretend that they're above everyone else. In their eyes, they'd never be so dumb to make the same mistakes. Worse, they brag about it.
Call them delusional, but they actually believe it, at least most of the time. They think they're smarter than everyone else. Instead of being sympathetic when something goes wrong, they'd rather blame others for their predicament.
5. 'Sounds like a you problem'
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Emotionally and mentally sketchy people aren't just slightly rude. When someone is in need, they're quick to say, "Sounds like a you problem," even when they could possibly help. Their heart is stone-cold, and their empathy skills have seen better days.
They're unable to relate to or care about others and this is why they're quick to shut others down. Strangers and loved ones alike will get the "I clearly don't care" treatment.
In the moment, these sketchy people think they're just protecting their peace, but turning your back on others has real consequences. Human beings need social connections to thrive. Social connection is crucial for both physical and mental health and the more they turn their back, the lonelier they become, impacting their health in the long run.
6. 'Rules don't apply to me'
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Sketchy people think that they can get away with everything. It doesn't matter how they treat others. In their eyes, the rules don't apply. It's delusional, but their poor behavior didn't come from nowhere. For far too long, they've gotten away with everything.
They've cut corners, disrespected people, and shown zero regard for boundaries. Still, just because it's been this way for a while doesn't mean it won't catch up to them. After all, life has a way of humbling the best and worst of us.
7. 'I'm not afraid to cut literally everyone out of my life'
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There's no denying that some people are toxic. Parents can drive us insane, and friendships can test our patience. Setting boundaries and cutting contact are good when the situation calls for it.
Still, just because it isn't perfect doesn't always mean it's toxic. According to physician Kristen Fuller, M.D., "If you are having more stressful and bad moments than good moments when you are with someone, this may be a sign of a toxic relationship."
Unfortunately, people who have sketchy emotional identities have a black-and-white way of thinking and don't know how to find the middle ground. If someone messes up, they're out.
With zero regard and understanding for anyone who isn't perfect (or their idea of perfect), it's no wonder they'll proudly say they'll cut people off, even though it's often the other person taking distance due to their sketchy and inconsistent behavior.
8. 'Why should I feel bad?'
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Sketchy people make themselves known by being low-key heartless and think they're super tough until something happens to them. At first they may seem confident and unfazed, but it's a warning sign that they might be seriously emotionally detached and selfish.
Even if the other person is innocent, sketchy and cruel people don't abide by the emotional logic the rest of us prioritize. So long as it makes them feel less alone in their misery, they probably love it.
9. 'Sorry I'm not a sheep like everyone else'
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Mentally sketchy people often accuse others of being "sheep" or "sheeple" who believe everything they read or hear. Ironically, that statement alone shows that they're probably believing everything they hear, too.
It might feel like everyone acts like sheep when you're living in an echo chamber, however, most people are pretty complex. They don't just believe the first thing they hear or read, and they do think things through. People form their own opinions through their own experience. Yes, sometimes they are wrong or even ignorant, but that's part of being human.
Not everyone lives the same life you do, but emotionally sketchy people think that means everyone else is a blind follower and they're the only ones who are aware of the truth. This sort of thinking just leads to more ignorance all around and is seriously intellectually and emotionally sketchy.
10. 'I hate everybody'
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Listen, it's normal to sometimes feel like you hate everyone else. People have a way of testing our patience.
After a grueling week of dealing with frustrating coworkers, you might seriously think, "I hate everyone." However, this brief thought doesn't take root for the average person. A bad week doesn't become something you say over and over again unless you're a sketchy person.
If you hear someone say this, be warned. If you cross them once (or if they perceive something as an affront) they'll despise you forever and put you on the list of everyone else they hate.
This black-and-white categorization of others is one of the hallmarks of emotionally and mentally sketchy people, as it's a self-fulfilling prophecy, so to speak. The more they complain about others, the more they'll attract negative, unkind people with no boundaries (and repel healthy, upbeat and fun people, too!).
Marielisa Reyes is a writer with a bachelor's in psychology who covers self-help, relationships, career, family, and trending topics.
