Comment MEAN GIRL for the words and tips to test what’s really going on before you get iced out or quietly pushed out of the group. Early red flags aren’t warnings to leave, they’re signals to adjust before the pattern locks in. Comment Outfit for links. 4 Mean Girl Red Flags to Spot Early in 2026 So You Don’t Doubt Yourself When you’re around them, you consistently leave interactions confused. That confusion keeps you sticking around, so you doubt yourself instead of the situation. You start editing yourself, re-reading texts, changing your words, and holding back. You don’t realize you’re walking on eggshells. They talk like you’re close in front of others, but act distant one-on-one. Early on, you notice you’re the one changing, reaching out less, lowering expectations, or staying flexible just to avoid being sidelined. About Christie, Dr. C: I’m a Johns Hopkins-trained clinical psychologist with a background in CBT, DBT, behavioral psychology, and motivational models. I blend evidence-based strategies with lived experience to help you handle mean girls, navigate parenting challenges, set real boundaries, make new friends, and stop shrinking in your friendships.