The Manipulation Associated with Narcissistic Abuse
by: Todd Doyle, International Author of Healing the Shattered: Surviving Narcissistic Abuse
Manipulation is a common tactic used by narcissistic individuals in the context of abusive relationships, as it allows the abuser to control and dominate the victim by manipulating their reality and their emotions. Manipulation can take many forms, including emotional manipulation, psychological manipulation, and manipulation of the victim’s reality, and it can have serious and long-lasting effects on the victim’s mental health and well-being.
Some common tactics used by narcissistic individuals in the context of manipulation include:
Emotional manipulation: This involves manipulating the victim’s emotions in order to control and dominate them. The abuser may use tactics such as love bombing, intense emotional experiences, and emotional appeals to manipulate the victim’s feelings and to keep them emotionally invested in the relationship.
Psychological manipulation: This involves manipulating the victim’s thoughts, perceptions, and reality in order to control and dominate them. The abuser may use tactics such as gaslighting, triangulation, and blame shifting to manipulate the victim’s reality and to keep them confused and off-balance.
Manipulation of the victim’s reality: This involves manipulating the victim’s perceptions, thoughts, and emotions in order to control and dominate them. The abuser may use tactics such as denial, distortion, and confusion to manipulate the victim’s reality and to keep them emotionally invested in the relationship.
The effects of manipulation can be serious and long-lasting, including:
Low self-esteem and self-worth
Difficulty trusting your own perceptions and thoughts
Difficulty setting boundaries or asserting yourself
A constant need for approval and validation
Feeling isolated or disconnected from others
Difficulty making decisions
Depression, anxiety, or other mental health issues
If you suspect that you or someone you know is experiencing manipulation in the context of a narcissistic abusive relationship, it is important to seek help and support. It is important to recognize that the abuse is not your fault and that you deserve to be treated with respect and kindness. It is also important to seek help from a trusted friend or family member, a mental health professional, or a domestic violence resource center. Remember that no one deserves to be abused, and it is never too late to seek help and to break the cycle of abuse.
