Crisis Friends on TikTok: Navigating One-Sided Support

TikTok’s ‘crisis friend’ trend spotlights people who only reach out during emergencies, sparking a debate about whether this signals toxic one-sidedness or a normal phase in friendships. Experts warn it’s nuanced: distinguish a crisis-loving pattern from a friend truly in crisis, emphasize reciprocity, and offer practical steps—ask for balance, thank and support each other, reframe conversations away from constant crises, and accept that even close friendships have bumps.