There are times we choose to maintain a relationship with a person who is chronically negative and abusive. They would likely be diagnosed with a disorder by a professional, if they would seek help, which they wouldn’t, and don’t even want to hear there is anything amiss with them. But, if they are someone important enough to you that you choose to maintain contact anyway, we need to have compassion for them. They may be ill. While we can protect ourselves so they don’t get to damage us, we can do what we can to be there for them and be kind to them. You wouldn’t abandon someone because they are ill, you can have some compassion. As for people we can leave and not have to deal with anymore, of course, leave when you can if they do nothing good for you and are only harmful.