In relationships, emotional manipulation is the act of using power to control the other person mentally, emotionally, physically or financially, according to hindustantimes.
Recognizing signs early can help you protect yourself and your loved ones. Licensed therapist Jeffrey Meltzer (Florida, USA) shares 6 typical manifestations of emotional manipulation, including:
1. seduction and regret
manipulators know exactly when to be sweet. They praise or express their feelings as soon as you are away from or threaten to leave. This is not a genuine affection but a strategy to maintain control.
2. The silence
They may stand right next to you but completely ignore you. This behavior is to make you feel invisible, anxious, and wondering if you have done something wrong.
3. DARVO
DARVO stands for four behaviors in emotional manipulation: Defense,Attack, Reverse Victim and Offensive. When reminded, they immediately defend, attack you, then turn themselves into victims, forcing you to apologize even though it is not your fault.
4. Taking advantage of third parties to manipulate emotions
yearning people take advantage of third parties to follow or put pressure, for example asking friends to ask questions or report instead of directly resolving conflicts.
5. Beware of distractions, change topics to avoid responsibility
When they are caught wrong, they change the topic or accuse you of something unrelated, to avoid responsibility and make you forget what they have done.
6. Doubting your ability
They spread doubts about your abilities and independence, with sentences like, Without me, you cant do it. This behavior keeps you in a state of stagnation and dependence.
According to Meltzer, recognizing these signs is an important step to protect yourself, avoid manipulation in relationships, family or work environment.
