If you’re dealing with a friend or partner who exhibits some toxic traits, it’s always in your power to open a dialogue, set and enforce boundaries, and speak the truth. If you’re lucky, they may try to adjust their behavior to save the relationship.

However, Campbell says, there is one important caveat: Truly toxic people usually don’t want to hear it.

While you may take the high road of tolerance and forgiveness, is it really worth it? According to Campbell, this often isn’t the case, and many of us would be much better off walking away before more damage is done. For example, she says, “If you tell a toxic person where they hurt you and you go to set a boundary, you’re just giving them information about where to hurt you even more.”

She adds that if you often find yourself in these kinds of relationships, you may be a sensitive and compassionate person who doesn’t want to “give up” on others or hurt their feelings. But what if they hurt you? “You don’t owe anyone an explanation for your need to take care of yourself—get out sooner rather than later,” she advises.