10 Lifehacks for Dealing with Difficult People

Everyone has met a person who is just plain tough to deal with. You know the type we're talking about. It's the type of person who seems to wake up in the morning, drink some coffee, and then asks herself, "How can I make life suck for people around me?"

Dealing with this type of person is tough. Whether it's due to Narcissistic Personality Disorder, a bad temper, or just being a difficult person overall.

The thing that matters most is that you're going to need to figure out a way to deal with them—or at least avoid having them cause serious problems in your life. Psychologists have found some easy tips and tricks for dealing with tough personalities to make them more tolerable.

If you want to have an easier time dealing with "that guy," check out these impressively easy ways to deal with ugly personalities.

When it comes to dealing with difficult people, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. For reasons beyond understanding, most people who have personality disorders (as well as most difficult people) tend to be attracted to people who react to them or appear to be vibrant individuals.

In other words, difficult folks tend to become way worse problems if you catch their attention. That's why a Grey Rock method tends to work very well. This method is all about reducing your reaction until all you say and do is neutral to them.

The way to do this is simple: Keep your contact to a bare minimum, offer no details, don't ask them questions, and don't boast. You'll be boring to them.

Ever notice how an angry person never manages to chill out when you tell them to calm down? It's because they often want to be angry and they feel like no one is listening to them.

The best way to make them feel heard (and talk them down from being angry) is to use the sympathy card while apologizing to them about their frustrations. If you do it in a calm, even tone of voice, you'll get even better results.

For example, saying, "I'm sorry that happened! I'd be angry too if I were you!" will get most to stop in their tracks. They may continue to rant a bit after the first apology.

As they continue to fume, start using different words with less angry connotations. Like, "Oh man! I'd be so miffed! That's pretty annoying!" and, "How aggravating!"

Most people who are considered to be difficult personalities are that way because they don't feel like they are heard. They don't feel understood or respected, and in many cases, they're right to think that way.

That's why the easiest way to deal with an irate person who's just being difficult for the sake of being difficult is to listen to them. Don't argue or try to convince them of something; just ask them what they feel and listen to what's eating them.

Dealing with difficult people isn't always avoidable, but it is always on your terms—whether you realize it or not. This means that you need to get used to having boundaries and sticking to them.

At any given point, you have the right to walk away. No one can force you to hang around people you don't want to be with, nor can anyone really force you to tolerate toxic behavior.

If you are at a job with toxic coworkers, you have the right to find another job. If you are around toxic in-laws, you have the right to ask them to leave your home. If your parents are toxic, you have the right to move.

The best way to make difficult people realize that they can't push you around is to set boundaries and actually stick to them. You stick to them by leaving and enforcing threats you make.

If they push buttons, tell them, "I don't like how you're treating me. I'll speak to you later," and end the conversation. If they call repeatedly, don't pick up. If they show up at your door, call the police.

By sticking to your boundaries and forcing them to abide by your rules, your social problems will be way fewer and far between.

Most people who have difficult personalities aren't trying to hurt you. They are just trying to do their own thing, and if you're getting the feeling that you've run into a frustrated person who feels misunderstood, it's time to build a rapport with them.

More often than not, just telling them where you're coming from is the easiest way to get them on your side—or at least diffuse a bad situation. You might be surprised at how well they'll react.

Our gut instincts exist because we need them. They are what warn us of danger, and tend to help us survive threats.

Though we no longer are being hunted by lions and tigers, they still exist when it comes to social situations. If you get the vibe that things are going downhill fast, then you owe it to yourself to find an escape route.

Simply put, we tend to have an idea of how things are going to go. If you're getting a sinking feeling, the best way to deal with the person is to leave as soon as you can—and potentially ghost them, too.

Though this may not help in the moment of dealing with a bad personality, it's still one of the most important aspects of dealing with difficult people. Your interactions with people can and will influence your emotions.

One bad run-in with the wrong person can easily ruin your day, week, or even month. When you're dealing with someone who is really, truly toxic and out to get you, the best thing you can do is to talk yourself up and get rid of that negative energy as soon as you part ways with them.

Don't let their shitty behavior ruin your day. Don't internalize the negative emotions they have. That just makes them win.

Negativity has a tendency of breeding negativity, and that includes dealing with people who are toxic. Reacting to their behavior with rage, sadness, grief, or any other form of bad vibes is only going to end up fueling their fire.

Hard as it may be to do, try to keep control of your emotions. It could make the difference between having a productive conversation or shooting yourself in the foot.

This is a common way toxic people get underneath your skin at work. If a workplace bully sends nasty emails and demands a reply back, take your time. Make them wait excruciatingly long for your response. On a similar note, doing the same in person will often make them lay off.

Most bullies seek out people they can hurt for immediate gratification. By refusing to give them that, you end up losing their interest in you—and force them to behave. This also works with toxic friendships, in most cases.

Every person is different, and sadly, that means that dealing with difficult people is often a thing that needs to be taken on a case-by-case basis.

With narcissists, your best bet is to go Grey Rock. With the case of aggressive bullies, setting boundaries and leaving is the best way to handle it. With people who are aggressive because they feel cornered or angry, talking them down is a great way to handle things.

Use your common sense to make things work. Every single situation is different, and when you're navigating the world, the best way to handle things is to do it in a way that makes sense for that particular person.