10/06/2024
Signs to recognise emotional manipulation
Emotional manipulation is a form of psychological influence where one person seeks to control another for their own benefit, often at the expense of the other person's well-being. Here are some common signs of emotional manipulation:
1. Gaslighting-Making you doubt your own perceptions, memories, or sanity by denying facts or twisting the truth.
2. Guilt Tripping-Making you feel guilty or responsible for their problems or emotions, often to get you to do something for them.
3. Playing the Victim-Constantly presenting themselves as the victim in every situation to elicit your sympathy and make you feel responsible for their well-being.
4. Isolation-Trying to isolate you from friends, family, or support systems to increase their control over you.
5. Blame Shifting-Deflecting responsibility for their actions onto you, making you feel at fault for their behavior or problems.
6. Silent Treatment-Withholding communication or affection as punishment to manipulate you into compliance or submission.
7. Love Bombing and Devaluation-Alternating between excessive affection and harsh criticism to keep you off balance and dependent on their approval.
8. Undermining Self-Confidence-Making subtle or overt comments that erode your self-esteem and make you feel less capable or worthy.
9. Emotional Blackmail-Using your fears, secrets, or vulnerabilities against you to control your actions and decisions.
10. Constant Criticism-Excessive or unwarranted criticism that makes you feel inadequate and dependent on their approval.
Recognizing these signs is crucial for protecting your emotional well-being. If you find yourself experiencing any of these behaviors, it may be helpful to seek support from trusted friends, family, or a mental health professional.
