Kristen Stewart's childhood friends are reportedly ''dropping like flies.''

The 'Twilight' actress is allegedly struggling to keep her old pals in her life as they've ditched her due to her change in behaviour and ''inflated ego'' since dating her co-star, English hunk, Robert Pattinson in 2008.

A source told RadarOnline.com: ''Kristen doesn't even resemble the person that we knew from before she was with Rob. She used to be a very low-key, cool girl.

''But her inflated ego has convinced her that even her childhood friends only want to hang out with her because of 'who she is.' It's really sad, and her friends are literally dropping like flies.''

Meanwhile, the 24-year-old star - who split from Robert in 2012 after she cheated on him with married man, director, Rupert Sanders - has recently decided to take a break to pursue some other creative interests.

She said last week: ''I'm taking some time off because I've been working for two years.

''I'm an actor and that's my art form, and because I started that so young, I've always felt intimidated and insufficient when I think about other forms of art I want to create. I'm going to take so much time off.

''I'm going to buy a live-work space in downtown LA and I'm going to make some s**t with my hands. Literally, I made that decision a few weeks ago. I'm making a short film. I'm making a bunch of stuff. I don't know how I'll put it out. But I'm not going to hold it so preciously close to me. I write all the time.''