Nine Emotional Manipulation Signs To Watch Out For When You’re In A Relationship
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The stigma around mental health still exists even though the numbers are becoming clearer by the day that a large number of people struggle with mental health challenges. In recent years, there has been a wide effort made to transform the stigma while supporting and encouraging people to get the help that they need. This push for knowledge has brought about a growing number of mental health blogs.
There are blogs to help educate people on mental health challenges, spread awareness, and offer support for those that are caring for family that are living with a mental illness. For people with mental health challenges, it can be helpful to read blogs that let them know they aren't alone in their struggles. Just seeing that others understand what they're going through can help encourage someone to keep fighting to overcome their struggles and seek the help that they need.
Below are just a few of the many, many blogs out there focusing on the topic of mental health.
How blogs can help with mental health
Blogs are not meant to be a form of treatment for mental health challenges, but they can go a long way in providing the information that people need when they are trying to decide whether or not to seek treatment. Blogs can also help people identify when the symptoms that they are experiencing are part of a larger issue that needs to be addressed.
Most mental health challenges are treatable if you're willing to seek help and find a treatment that works. When people don't talk about mental health, it continues to feed the stigma that surrounds it. However, the more information that's easily available for people that are struggling can help change that stigma.
People might be leery of calling professionals to start a conversation about mental health, but most people are comfortable with starting the search online. This is why mental health blogs are so important. The more information that is available to point people in the direction of seeking help, the better.
Here are some of the most popular mental health blogs that are worth reading:
NAMI blog
If you haven't heard of NAMI before, it's the National Alliance on Mental Illness. This is a non-profit organization that works hard to advocate for those with mental health challenges. They provide information to help both those that are struggling with disorders and loved ones that are helping to support and care for them.
The NAMI blog includes a wide variety of article topics, from information on specific conditions to resources for suicide prevention. There are some for specific groups such as the LGBTQ+ community and those with specific disorders such as bipolar disorder.
BetterHelp and Regain
Right now, you're reading an article from the . While both BetterHelp and Regain work hard to connect individuals with online therapists that can help them, both sites have blogs with information on a wide range of mental health topics. You can find encouragement on finding relief from your symptoms along with tips for things you can do at home to supplement the treatment that you're receiving. If you struggle with mental health challenges, you can find information to help you identify your symptoms and possible treatment options.
Time to Change
Another mental health blog that's worth reading is Time to Change. It's full of personal stories from others that have experienced or are experiencing mental health challenges. You can search for topics or words that relate to your story, and then hear from others that have been through similar situations. It's easy to feel alone when dealing with mental health disorders and challenges and sometimes just knowing that others have been where you are and have been able to overcome their challenges can be the motivation you need in your journey.
OC87 Recovery Diaries
These stories about those who are recovering from all types of mental health issues can be inspiring to others—regardless of where you are in your journey.
HealthyPlace
HealthyPlace actually has multiple mental health blogs that you can choose from based on the challenge or disorder that you are facing. The website as a whole gives information from both the perspective of mental health professionals and from those that are dealing with mental health challenges. There is a wealth of information on their site to help you if you have been diagnosed, are wondering about symptoms, or have a loved one that is struggling.
Mental Health America
Mental Health America is working to spread awareness and help support those that struggle with their mental health. They have free screening tools that you can use and plenty of articles with information, advice, and recommendations.
Pick the Brain
The purpose of the Pick the Brain blog is to help you improve your life through self-improvement. It addresses health, productivity, motivation, and self-improvement. This is a powerful blog for helping you to feel empowered and make the changes in your life that you long to see. While this might not address the science behind mental health like some of the other blogs online, it provides encouragement and motivation.
Blurt
The Blurt blog is for people that are living with depression. The blog's purpose is to increase awareness and offer support for those living with depressive disorders. There are plenty of resources available, and they also have a podcast if you'd prefer to listen instead of reading through a blog.
Beyond Meds
Beyond Meds is a blog run by a mental health professional that's been on both sides of the mental health world. If you're interested in finding holistic and natural options for treatment and self-care, this is the blog for you. While this blog shouldn't be used as a form of treatment in and of itself, it's a great place to start to find alternative treatment options for your mental health challenges.
Other blogs
There is no shortage of blogs to be found online. Chances are good that you can find a blog that addresses the specific challenge that you're living with. For example, just like Blurt, there are other blogs which address depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and substance use disorders, among others.
If you are struggling with substance use, contact the SAMHSA National Helpline at (800) 662-4357 to receive support and resources. Support is available 24/7.
It's important to look at what type of blog you are reading. Is it written by mental health professionals? Or is it written by someone that has personal experience living with the challenge? It can be helpful to read a mix of both to find information that you can benefit from.
Additional support for sustaining your mental health
Even the best mental health blogs are not meant to be a form of treatment for your mental health disorders. There are many reasons why you can benefit from reading mental health blogs. They can help you realize that you're not alone in your struggles. They can help you identify symptoms that you're having in life and lead you towards getting the help that you need. And they can provide you with actionable tips that can help you improve your daily life. But they cannot provide you with personalized care for your specific situation.
That's why you shouldn't hesitate to seek treatment for your mental health challenges. There are lots of treatment options for different disorders. Possible treatment could include prescription medication, lifestyle changes, and therapy. The specific type of therapy that's right for you will depend on several different things, including your specific symptoms.
Some people find online counseling to be a great fit because they don't feel comfortable going to a therapist's office for treatment. When you get therapy online, you are able to talk with a counselor from a place where you feel comfortable. All you'll need is internet connection. In addition, online therapy is often more cost-effective than in-person therapy—so if cost is an issue, this may be a solution.
If online therapy sounds right for you, a Regain counselor may be a great fit. Regain therapists are licensed and trained to work with those with all types of mental health disorders. Regain therapists can also meet with you alone or with you and your partner, if that would be helpful to you. Sometimes working with your partner can boost your recovery—and your partner can know exactly what type of support you need.
Takeaway
Most people find that a combination of treatments help them experience relief while learning how to overcome their mental health challenges. Don't be afraid to seek the help you need and continue to read mental health blogs for encouragement throughout the process.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
What is emotionally manipulative?
There are a number of things that are considered emotionally manipulative or signs of manipulation. Gaslighting, stonewalling, lying, changing the subject, or deflecting your concerns when you bring up an important issue, and emotional blackmail are all forms of emotional manipulation. An emotional manipulator may also prey on your insecurities and turn their bad behavior around on you to feel that everything is your fault. The very nature of psychological and emotional manipulation is that emotional manipulators or people who manipulate others will manipulate you not to identify manipulation. To identify manipulation, it's important to know the signs and listen to your gut. As much as you don't want to believe that a particular person could be an emotional manipulator, recognize the signs of psychological and emotional manipulation for what they are. See an emotional manipulator's actions above all else. A very common tactic used by emotional manipulators or an emotionally manipulative person is love bombing when someone bombards you with excessive affection. Often, this is so that you think of the good times and think to yourself, "it's not all bad," causing you to stick around. Someone may also use love bombing to deflect from their poor behavior; if they shower you with affection, you'll think, "wow, they're really into me," instead of seeing the warning signs that might be there. Especially if this is a new relationship and someone engages in excessive, overwhelming, intense displays of affection too soon, this is a big red flag.
What are examples of emotional manipulation?
The APA defines manipulation as "behavior designed to exploit, control, or otherwise influence others to one's advantage." Emotional manipulation is a specific form of manipulation that refers to manipulating others by targeting people's emotions. When someone manipulates people's emotions, they may be doing it for a number of reasons - to gain control, to get what they want, or to avoid responsibility for their actions - but it is never okay. Being able to identify manipulation can help you avoid it, or at the very least, recognize it so that you can reduce the harm done by emotional manipulation. If you are manipulated emotionally, you did not sign up to receive emotional manipulation, and it is not your fault. Emotional manipulators or people who manipulate others are often very good at what they do. At times, they may hide it under the guise of care or concern. An emotional manipulator might manipulate another person by making them believe that they aren't capable or cannot trust themselves. If you're searching for "manipulation signs," "how to recognize emotional manipulators," or "mental and emotional manipulation signs," you can read about the signs of psychological and emotional manipulation below.
What are signs of manipulation?
Signs of manipulation to look out for include:
- Gaslighting (making you question your reality).
- Deflecting blame (making you feel as though "it's all your fault" or that "if you were different, the relationship would be better.")
- Stonewalling (giving you the silent treatment).
- Emotional blackmail (when someone uses fear, obligation, and guilt to get what they want).
- Withholding affection (this may go along with emotional blackmail).
- Love bombing (showering you with excessive affection and praise, often distracting from red flags or other abusive and manipulative behaviors).
If you see the signs of manipulation in your relationship or think that you may be encountering psychological or emotional manipulation, listen to your gut. Unfortunately, mental and emotional manipulation is not uncommon, and it is something that many people encounter. The psychological impact of emotional manipulation is genuine, and if you've faced it, you're not alone.
What are examples of manipulation?
After reading the signs of manipulation above, you may wonder what exactly they look like. Here are some examples of psychological and emotional manipulation:
- Emotional blackmail. You have to do this for me."
- Deflecting blame. Say that a partner yells at you and calls you names, and when you say, "I don't like it when you call me that name" or express concerns about the name-calling and raising of their voice, they say, "I wouldn't have to do that if you weren't dumb/if you weren't like this/if you listened to me/etc." Emotional manipulators do this so that they don't have to take responsibility. The emotional manipulator can instead turn the blame to you so that their behavior is never addressed.
- Let's say that you take care of all of the bills or household chores. Alternatively, let's say that you said "no" to a sexual act that makes you feel very uncomfortable. An example of stonewalling would be that your partner gives you the silent treatment, refuses to talk about the topic, or gets angry and walks away when you bring up the proposal that they help with the bills and chores or say "no" to said sexual act. They're doing this so that you stop bringing up your concerns or stop saying "no" so that you do not have to face the silent treatment or anger again and will instead do what they want or treat you the way they want without discourse or discussion.
Is gaslighting emotional abuse?
Gaslighting is indeed an emotional abuse tactic, and it is not something to ignore. The Hotline website defines and explains the origin of the term "gaslighting" by saying, "This term comes from the 1938 stage play Gas Light, in which a husband attempts to drive his wife crazy by dimming the lights (which were powered by gas) in their home, and then he denies that the light changed when his wife points it out. It is an extremely effective form of emotional abuse that causes a victim to question their own feelings, instincts, and sanity, which gives the abusive partner a lot of power (and we know that abuse is about power and control). Once an abusive partner has broken down the victim's ability to trust their own perceptions, the victim is more likely to stay in the abusive relationship." Gaslighting is a common tactic among emotional manipulators or people who manipulate others, and it is a form of manipulation that essentially makes you question your own knowledge of reality. You are not to blame, and in any case, you didn't sign up to receive this treatment and emotional abuse. When it comes to manipulation is the fault of the person who engages in mental and emotional manipulation or abuse alone. If you've survived emotional abuse, have left a relationship with a manipulative person, or want to talk about signs of manipulation with a professional, don't be afraid to reach out for the support of a therapist or counselor.
What is the impact of emotional manipulation on your mental health?
How would you know that you are with someone who is emotionally manipulative?
What are the four phases of manipulation?
What are manipulators scared of?
Can you possibly outwit a manipulator? How?
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