How to deal with people who 'neg' you

How to deal with people who 'neg' you (Photo: iStock)

As human beings, we all crave validation. It is a fundamental human need that fuels our confidence and self-esteem. But sometimes, the people we trust with this need can chip away at it, often disguised as playful teasing.

This annoying behaviour called negging is surprisingly common, especially within female groups of friends.