It may seem subtle, but the techniques used are powerful and often leave the other person emotionally exhausted.
Have you ever been in an argument where something just didn’t make sense?
Manipulative people have a unique way of playing a real mental game.
They know how to reverse roles, distort facts and even make you doubt yourself.
It may seem subtle, but the techniques used are powerful and often leave the other person emotionally exhausted.
6 things manipulative people tend to do during an argument
1. They distort your words to reverse the blame
One of the favorite tactics of manipulative people is to take what you said and reinterpret it in a way that puts you at fault.
Imagine you talking about something that bothered you, and suddenly the conversation turns to how “you always criticize everything.”
This inversion game is effective in diverting focus from the real issue.
2. They use silence to destabilize
Have you ever noticed that in some arguments, the other side simply stops responding or becomes silent?
This strategy, known as the “silent treatment,” is used to make you feel uncomfortable and anxious.
The goal here is to undermine your confidence and leave you questioning what is wrong, while the manipulator maintains control of the situation.
3. They transform facts into exaggerated emotions
Another powerful weapon is to transform a simple fact into something much bigger than it really is.
When confronted, the manipulator may dramatize and exaggerate their emotions, saying phrases such as: “How could you be so insensitive?”
This makes you feel guilty and often give up on your initial argument so as not to make the situation worse.
4. They discredit your emotions or memories
Have you ever heard something like “You’re exaggerating” or “That never happened”?
Manipulative people love to invalidate your emotions and memories, making you doubt what you experienced or felt.
This tactic, called “gaslighting,” is extremely harmful and aims to weaken your self-confidence.
5. They change the subject to avoid the focus of the discussion
If you’re trying to resolve a problem and suddenly the conversation completely changes direction, the manipulator is likely diverting focus on purpose.
This strategy is used to confuse, prolong the discussion and prevent the real issue from being resolved.
6. They make you look like the “villain” of the story
Finally, manipulative people have an impressive ability to position themselves as victims, even when they are responsible for the problem.
They may use phrases like, “I don’t deserve to be treated like this” or “I just tried to help you.”
This approach is effective in generating pity and taking responsibility away from themselves.
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