There are many scenarios, types of people, situations, etc. My POV is that some of us are sensitive or get triggered when other people have negative energy. Most difficult people aren't bad (they might have lived in trying circumstances like poverty, trauma, be in physical pain, be isolated from love, etc.) but they can bring us down if we do not protect ourselves from them. "Protection" can sometimes just be taking a break from them and putting yourself first so you can nourish yourself in order to be in a place that you are able to help them. We all can only handle so much. We all have our breaking points. I have negative energy sometimes too and have to work to be what I want to be and that includes taking medications that numb my emotions a bit/calm me down. I do "tweak' my medications depending on how I am doing (I let my psychiatrist know--she is great about understanding this) and my life circumstances and the energy of the people around me who I love effects how much medication I need to stay calm. Also, I try to consume more positive news and entertainment than negative. Life is not always positive. Sometimes people's circumstances and past experiences make it a challenge to stay positive. In my case, my negativity got so bad (nervous breakdown or whatever you might call it) that it made me accept medications and change my spiritual outlook. We can manage difficult people in our life by speaking up in a kind way and not being afraid of upsetting them.