What do you do if you are being subjected to some or all of the dysfunction described in this article? Find the courage to leave as soon as possible and close the door tightly. Manipulators (who could also be undiagnosed sociopaths or narcissists) will likely never change and you will continue to enable their behaviour by accepting what they dish out. The price to pay will be your self-esteem, your identity and you will learn that your needs are not important.
People who are easily manipulated tend to have abandonment issues and feel the need to make the relationship work under all circumstances. The manipulator often senses this and uses it for advantage. This is consolidated in the language they use towards their victim and various tactics employed to destroy the self-worth of the person concerned. Psychologists say the root cause of manipulative behavior can often be toxic cycles of violence, narcissism or unhealthy relationships in the manipulator’s own childhood. Manipulation can happen in any relational context, including family, friends, professional, romantic, or sexual relationships.
Thanks Dr Jenner. Another brilliant article.
Thank you Russell.