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Exploring the Signs of Manipulation in Relationships


Exploring the Signs of Manipulation in Relationships


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Most individuals occasionally manipulate others. It is basically manipulation when you tell someone you're "fine" while you're genuinely depressed since it affects the way they perceive you and how they behave to you. Utilizing manipulative methods to influence behaviour, emotions, and interpersonal relationships is known as Manipulation. However, manipulation could also have more risks occur and is usually linked to emotional abuse, especially in close relationships. Most individuals have a negative opinion of manipulation, specifically when it compromises the victim's physical, emotional, or mental well-being. 

Long-term manipulation can have detrimental implications in close connections, such as those between friends, family members, and love partners. Manipulation has the potential to damage a relationship and perhaps cause it to end. It may also hurt the mental health of individuals involved. Its important to take guidance from the Best psychologist in India or Relationship counsellor.

Manipulation may make one spouse in a marriage or partnership feel intimidated, alone, or unworthy. Even in good relationships, one person may unintentionally use manipulation to avoid conflict or even to try to prevent their spouse from feeling burdened. Many people may even be aware that they are being misled in their relationship but decide to ignore or minimise it. Exaggeration, guilt, providing gifts or just displaying affection to certain people, hiding secrets, and subtle violence are just a few examples of the various ways that personal relationships may be manipulated. 


There are a few indicators to watch out for that could point to manipulation in your relationship:

You try to ignore your gut - The first alarm sign can be a gut sense that something is wrong or a pattern of doing things you don't want to do. You could try to convince yourself that everything is OK by suppressing this emotion. When you suspect that you may be the victim of manipulation, the advice to "trust your instinct" is very important. Say, for instance, that you're annoyed because it looks like your date is constantly talking on their phone. When you bring it up with them, you observe that they quickly become really angry. The first alarm sign can be a gut sense that something is wrong or a pattern of doing things you don't want to do. You could try to convince yourself that everything is OK by suppressing this emotion.

When you suspect that you may be the victim of manipulation, the advice to "trust your instinct" is very important. Say, for instance, that you're annoyed because it looks like your date is constantly talking on their phone. When you bring it up with them, you observe that they quickly become really angry. After that, the topic shifts to how you appear to have spoiled your particular date by starting a fight. You therefore abandon your intended message in favour of trying to placate them. In the meanwhile, your spouse.

You wonder: Is it you? - If you're started to doubt your own abilities and motivations, you could be the victim of a manipulation technique. Possibly you used to feel certain that you could manage a certain circumstance, but now you're starting to doubt your skills. You could even wonder if you're "the issue" in the marriage. For instance, you can try once again expressing your concerns to your partner about their excessive smartphone use. But they argue that you engage in it too and are constantly looking for an excuse to fight. Although you don't believe this to be the truth, after hearing this argument three to four times, you begin to wonder whether the problem is that you are having trouble letting go of the little things.

You feel guilty- If you've started to feel bad or ashamed about how you've been acting in the relationship, it might be an indication that someone is trying to control your emotions. When you try to set limits, especially, the manipulator expresses disapproval with anything you say or do. Eventually, you give in to appease the other person and absolve yourself of your guilt. 

You begin to question your mental health- You may have confusion and insecurity over your actions and feelings as a result of manipulation, which can also lead to tension and worry. You could start to question if your reactions are signs of a mental illness. Most frequently, these emotions are brought on by manipulation techniques like gas lighting. For instance, when you and your partner are talking about your next trip, they inquire as to why Cancun is not an option. You remind them of their previous visit, which they claim was a dreadful experience. I never said such a thing, they respond. You made it up. They did repeatedly complain and state they wouldn't come back, you're persuaded. But perhaps you did just make it up? After all, your partner claims that you appear to experience it frequently.  Seek help from a Counseling psychologist or search for the Best psychologist delhi.

When someone gaslights you repeatedly, you begin to doubt your recollection and well-being to the point where you're not sure whether specific events actually occurred. It appears to just happen to you around this individual, which is "curiously" enough. 

Although everyone engages in manipulative techniques periodically, certain individuals employ them often in romantic relationships. While other forms of manipulation may be more difficult to recognise, being aware of them may help you protect yourself and make decisions about your relationship.

Continuing in a relationship when manipulative techniques are often employed may have a negative influence on your mental and emotional well-being. Change is possible, but the other person must take the initiative. This is why it's important to put yourself first and create ways to establish clear boundary.

Make an appointment for mental health therapy with the renowned and knowledgeable psychologists at the Psychowellness Centre. The building is close to Delhi NCR, Janakpuri, Dwarka, Faridabad, and NOIDA.

Contribution: Dr (Prof) R K Suri, Clinical Psychologist, life coach & mentor TalktoAngel & Ms Aditi Bhardwaj