10 Cancer Negative Traits

Cancers are prone to moodiness. They wear their emotions on their sleeves a little too much at times. They can become hypersensitive and have trouble dealing with any amount of criticism or disappointment.

It’s also common for Cancers to be pessimistic and overly cautious. They sometimes can’t see the bright side of a situation. They overthink everything that could go wrong.

In relationships, Cancers can become possessive and clingy. They are also prone to insecurity and don’t always deal well with that. They need a lot of patience and reassurance.

1. Possessive

Their possessiveness is Cancer’s weakness in relationships. Cancer can become possessive in friendships and romantic relationships. They sometimes cling too hard to the people they care about.

Many Cancers worry that their loved ones will leave them. They will act possessive when they don’t know how to deal with this worry. Ultimately, they might push people away because of this.

How does Cancer act possessively? They might constantly ask where you are and who you’re with. If you don’t respond to a text message immediately, they might send multiple follow-up messages or call you until you do respond.

If Cancer is jealous of their partner’s friends, they might act possessive by controlling their partner’s time with them. They may get upset if they think their partner isn’t spending enough time with them or too much time with others.

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2. Secretive

One negative aspect of Cancer that might not always be apparent is that they can be incredibly secretive. This might seem out of character, as Cancer also wears their heart on their sleeve in many ways.

Cancer might be expressive and openly emotional, but they do keep secrets. Some are more secretive than others, especially Cancers who have been hurt by being too open.

Cancer sometimes keeps things secrets that they shouldn’t. For example, if someone they love mistreats them, they likely won’t discuss it. They will hide it and keep it a secret instead of getting support.

Some Cancers keep things secret from their friends and partners because they worry it will upset them. They won’t always express their thoughts because they don’t want to rock the boat.

3. Moody

Cancer’s personality tends to be emotional and sensitive. Sometimes, this is a good thing! Many Cancers learn to express their emotions positively. Other times, their sensitivity causes Cancer to be moody and overly emotional.

Cancer becomes moody when their emotions get out of control, and they don’t know how to deal with them. Cancer also becomes moody if they try to hide their emotions or if they try to keep how they genuinely feel a secret.

When feeling moody, Cancer will not be at their best. They might lash out and behave poorly. Instead of being caring and considerate toward others, they will become rude and insensitive.

Cancer’s moodiness pushes people away if they don’t deal with the cause of their moodiness. To overcome this trait, they must learn to address their issues and control their emotions.

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4. Pessimistic

What is Cancer’s biggest flaw? Their pessimism causes many problems for them and the people around them. A pessimistic Cancer who can’t see the bright side will never truly be happy.

This might seem out of character if you’re used to your Cancer friend or partner offering encouragement when you’re feeling down. The main issue is that Cancer can typically look on the bright side for others but not for themselves.

Cancers are more likely to become pessimistic when things go wrong. If Cancer’s partner breaks up with them, it will be the end of the world. They will feel like they’ll never find love or be happy again.

Instead of trying to move on when something disappointing happens, Cancer will succumb to depression and negative thoughts. They won’t be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel and will not always know how to cheer themselves up.

5. Lazy

Laziness is one of Cancer’s negative characteristics. Cancer might be nurturing and willing to care for others, but they can be lazy regarding their responsibilities.

It’s common for Cancer to become lazy when they are feeling overwhelmed or depressed. They might neglect household chores if they live alone and waste a lot of time sleeping or lying around doing nothing.

Sometimes, laziness is a sign that something is wrong with Cancer. Other times, their laziness indicates that they don’t care for themselves like they care for everyone else.

Cancer will typically put all their effort into taking care of other people. They will then neglect themselves. They might be lazy when taking care of their own home but gladly clean up if others are coming over.

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6. Hypersensitive

Being hypersensitive is one of Cancer’s negative qualities. Sometimes, their sensitivity becomes too much for them to handle. This can make them act in ways they usually wouldn’t. They sometimes have excessive emotional reactions when feeling hypersensitive.

Sensitivity can be a positive trait. Cancer is sensitive to the feelings of others. They are compassionate and empathetic. They are also sensitive to criticism and disappointment, though, and can sometimes become overly sensitive.

Hypersensitivity can make Cancer overwhelmed and distraught over the most minor things. They might be unable to handle criticism, even when it is helpful and constructive.

Cancer may have overly emotional reactions when other people experience disappointment. They might be so sensitive to other people’s feelings that they make them their own when they should remain calm and offer support instead.

7. Manipulative

Being manipulative is one of the bad qualities of Cancer that can get in the way of their relationships. While Cancer can be caring and compassionate, at their worst, they can also manipulate the feelings of others.

Cancer isn’t always conscious about their manipulative behavior. Their manipulation often comes in the form of guilt-tripping.

They might have excessive emotional reactions when someone criticizes them or confronts them about something, making the people around them feel bad even if the criticism is justified.

Cancers sometimes manipulate others into fighting their battles for them. Instead of dealing with an interpersonal issue, they might spread gossip or talk negatively about someone they don’t like.

Some Cancers also know that others tend to take them for granted or look past them. They might use this to their advantage to learn secrets or get information about people, which they can use to manipulate them.

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8. Clingy

Being clingy can be one of Cancer’s toxic traits when they take it too far. Wanting to spend time with your loved ones is not a bad thing. Constantly messaging them or wanting to know where they are is.

If your Cancer partner needs more quality time than you do, that’s just a difference in personalities. If they cling so hard that they become obsessive, that is a problem.

Sometimes, Cancer has unrealistic expectations for how much time their loved ones should spend with them. They might want to see their partner every single day, which won’t be feasible if their partner has work, hobbies, and an active social life.

Cancer might become extra clingy out of insecurity. They’ll cling to them more if they think a friend or partner is distancing themselves. This will typically have the opposite effect from what they want, though.

9. Overly Cautious

Some of their negative traits result from Cancer’s positive traits going too far. Cancer considers the pros and cons before doing something. They are cautious, which can be a good thing.

Sometimes, Cancer is overly cautious instead of simply being careful. While this might keep them out of trouble, it also stops them from fully experiencing the world around them.

Cancer tends to stay in their comfort zone. This can keep them safe in many ways, but it’s not always good! While they might avoid danger, they will also miss incredible opportunities.

An overly cautious Cancer person might not approach new people because they fear rejection. They might not seek out further education or try new things because they are worried about potential negative consequences.

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10. Insecure

Insecurity is a common Cancer trait. Being insecure sometimes is expected, regardless of who you are or what your sign is. This is only one of Cancer’s red flags if they let their insecurities control them.

If your Cancer partner is so insecure that they won’t believe you love them and are constantly arguing with any compliments you give them, that will cause issues in your relationship.

Insecurity also causes Cancer to become clingy and possessive in relationships. They can become controlling as a way of trying to soothe their insecurities instead of trying to work things out with their partner another way.

Reassuring a Cancer friend or partner can help with their insecurities, but they also need to learn how to handle them on their own. They must learn that their insecurities aren’t always rational and that they cannot lash out because of them.