11 Mind Games Manipulators Play In a Relationship
You did believe that you were in control of your relationship, correct? But there’s this nagging discomfort that never goes away.
It’s similar to a strategic game, but you’re always falling behind.
Greetings from the hidden language of dominance, psychological chess, where manipulation is more than just a concept.
Tricksters are skilled strategists. They twist words, play on feelings, and all of a sudden they become the puppet masters.
Furthermore, these strategies can be so subtle that no one notices their impact.
Let’s investigate these ploys. These are the 11 mind tricks that manipulators love to use; realizing them is the first step toward freedom.
1. Gaslighting.
Have you ever encountered someone who causes you to question reality as it exists? That’s gaslighting, and the name accurately describes its unpleasant effects.
I can remember times when my ex-partner would just refuse to acknowledge things I knew had happened.
“That never took place!” or “You must be imagining things!” started to appear frequently in our chats. I started to doubt my own memory, feelings, and possibly my sanity as a result.
The main point is that I wasn’t at fault. It was a deliberate tactic to make me feel uneasy and dependent on their interpretation of events, giving them ultimate power over how I saw the world.
2. Love Bombing.
Consider the act of love bombing. It sounds rather pleasant, doesn’t it?
But exercise caution. It has the same potential for destruction as any explosive, despite its seductive exterior. At first, I received nothing but presents, praise, and undivided attention. Being so loved felt like a drug.
But below this exterior?
It was a calculated control tactic rather than a genuine act of love. The opulent exhibits were intended to promote trust and anticipation.
When the love suddenly stopped being given, I was confused and missed the blissful care, which made me more willing to do whatever was required to have it back.
A basic manipulation technique is to initially appear pleasant, then pull back to make the other person work harder.
3. Isolation.
Have you ever noticed how some relationships seem to progressively make your world smaller? That’s isolation’s cunning hand at work.
It starts off harmlessly enough, with a lighthearted comment about how your buddies might not really get you here or a subtly implied suggestion that family get-togethers aren’t worth your time there.
Over time, you discover that you are spending all of your time with your spouse, and your once-vibrant support system starts to disappear.
This is a calculated move to undermine the safety net offered by people who provide perspective and strength, not just a desire for more special times spent together.
Mental health professionals have noted that being alone increases a person’s emotional reliance on their spouse, which makes it more difficult to reject coercion or consider ending the relationship.
The manipulator’s voice frequently takes center stage in your life when outside influences are lacking, if not completely takes over.
4. Trivializing.
When someone belittles your feelings, it hurts deeply. It’s like opening your heart and having it brushed off as unimportant.
When I’ve opened up to someone, I’ve had the experience of hearing things like “Is that all?” or “You’re overreacting.”
It’s a tactful jab that downplays the significance of your emotions. a cunning ploy to make you feel unimportant and unworthy of sympathy.
As soon as you begin to believe that your feelings are unjustified, you start to question your own abilities and become reluctant to express your true feelings. Your flexibility and accommodatingness increase, which is exactly what a manipulator wants.
Keep in mind that your emotions are real, important, and deserving of attention and acknowledgment. Nobody should be able to persuade you otherwise.
5. Shifting Blames.
Yes, it’s always the fault of someone else. I still remember the unreasonable burden of duty that was put on me. Whether by action or inactivity, if something went wrong, it became somehow my fault, regardless of the circumstances.
“You made me lose my temper because you weren’t paying attention,” and “If you had just done what I said, this wouldn’t have happened.”
These words are designed to avoid accountability and place the blame on you for both your and their conduct.
It took me a while to realize that I was bearing the responsibility for mistakes that weren’t really mine. It’s an unfair, heavy weight, and that’s exactly what con artists are too ready to place upon you.
6. Projecting.
Have you ever been falsely accused of something you know deep down isn’t true? We refer to that as projection. I’ve been there before, told I was the one who was envious but, in reality, it was my partner who observed every conversation I had with other people.
Projecting their own negative traits onto you is akin to a magician’s trick used by manipulators. It’s unnerving and makes you doubt your own abilities.
Manipulators avoid having to face their own shortcomings by blaming you through projection.
7. Withholding.
I find it interesting that quiet may be used as a weapon. This is a method that manipulators are surely familiar with.
It’s known as withholding, an omission-based control tactic.
Healthy relationships require communication, yet silence can be used as a method of manipulation and punishment by someone who is manipulating you.
It throws you into a state of uncertainty, making you teeter and strive for their approval in an attempt to shatter their chosen stillness.
8. Overpowering.
Well, that’s another deft move. It could start out innocently enough, like always letting them pick the movie or restaurant they want to watch.
But eventually, their tastes seem to wane while yours continue to be prioritized.
This domination is about control rather than leadership. Your sense of independence is gradually undermined by it.
Manipulators ensure that their desires win out by always having the final say, frequently under the pretense of knowing what’s “best” for both of you.
9. Feigning Confusion.
“Is that something you recognize?I don’t understand your anger.
Have you ever encountered the annoying labyrinth of pretended ignorance or confusion? It seems like a simple conversation that descended into a maze of miscommunication.
This strategy usually tries to divert attention away from the real issue by raising questions about your communication skills and clarity.
Don’t be fooled; this is a calculated mind trick, not real confusion.
10. Creating Guilt.
Guilt is a powerful feeling that manipulators skillfully manipulate.
They will gently remind you of their previous sacrifices or favors, leaving an implicit debt in your wake.
This strategy tries to make you feel perpetually grateful and obliged to them for their alleged “generosity,” which will increase your compliance with their requests.
Adversaries have truly mastered the art of guilt tripping.
11. Playing The Vitim.
Finally, there’s the victim card, which is a cunning tactic used by manipulators to assign guilt and arouse empathy. They skillfully recast the story when challenged or confronted, positioning themselves as the injured party.
This tactic not only diverts attention away from their behavior but also positions you as the comforter, assuaging their alleged suffering when in reality they are the one who initiated it.
Final Thoughts
It’s critical to comprehend these complex movements in order to protect your mental health and maintain your independence.
Should these tactics align with the characteristics of your relationship, it could be wise to reevaluate and seek advice from dependable friends or professionals who can guide you through these difficult situations.
You deserve a relationship built on empathy and sincere respect, devoid of coercion and manipulation.
