09/26/2025
Abusers deal in vagueness and half-truths.
They rarely say things outright. Instead, they use confusing, ambiguous language that’s meant to be interpreted a certain way, but gives them an easy out when confronted.
For example, if you go out with friends, the abuser might say:
🌀 “You’re a bad mother for prioritizing your friends over the kids.”
🌀 “I don’t know how much longer I can do this.”
🌀 “It’s just interesting how you always need attention.”
Next time you're invited out, you might decline. Not because you want to, but to avoid the backlash.
But when you confront the abuser and say, “You won’t let me go out with my friends,” they’ll respond:
👉 “I never said that.”
👉 “You’re reading too much into it.”
👉 “You’re being dramatic.”
This is how emotional manipulation works: vague statements, guilt trips, and denial. All designed to make you question yourself, and to keep the abuser from being held accountable.
