"Very often, people behave toxically without realizing it."

SZ-Magazin: Ms. Eckert, the term "toxic" has enjoyed considerable popularity in recent years. New books on the subject are published every month—you've also published a bestseller on the subject. Is "toxic" a buzzword? Anna Eckert: Yes, "toxic" is certainly a trendy term. It's used very broadly and, unfortunately, often in a nonspecific way. It often serves as a highly simplistic explanation for complex relationship dynamics. At its core, it's just a generic term that covers many different behavioral patterns and often hints at deeper problems.