Emotional manipulators often use mind games to seize power in a relationship.

The ultimate goal is to use that power to control the other person.

A healthy relationship is based on trust, understanding, and mutual respect. This is true of personal relationships, as well as professional ones.

Sometimes, people seek to exploit these elements of a relationship in order to benefit themselves in some way.

The signs of emotional manipulation can be subtle. They’re often hard to identify, especially when they’re happening to you.

They twist the facts - Delusional

Emotional manipulators are masters at altering reality with lies, fibs, or misstatements in order to confuse you.

They may exaggerate events to make themselves seem more vulnerable.

They may also understate their role in a conflict in order to gain your sympathy.

They don’t take accountability - blame game

Emotional manipulators will never accept responsibility for their errors.

They will, however, try to find a way to make you feel guilty for everything. from a fight to a failed project.

You may end up apologizing, even if they’re the one at fault.

They use your feelings against you- major flag

If you’re upset, someone who is manipulating you may try to make you feel guilty for your feelings.

They may accuse you of being unreasonable or not being adequately invested.

GHOST

They don’t respond to your calls, emails, direct messages, or any other form of communication.

They use the silence to gain control and make you feel responsible for their behavior.

They say or do something and later deny it

This technique is meant to make you question your memory of events.

When you no longer feel certain about what happened, they can pinpoint the problem on you, making you feel responsible for the misunderstanding.

Emotional manipulation may not leave physical scars, but it can still have a long-lasting effect. You can heal from this, and you can grow from it, too.