Manipulation is when someone tries to control your emotions, thoughts, or actions to benefit themselves. It’s a way of gaining power and control over you.
One type of manipulation is gaslighting. Gaslighting makes you question your sanity. Someone might deny things you know are true, or try to convince you that you’re imagining things. This can make you doubt your own memory and perception.
There are many other forms of manipulation too, like love bombing, where someone overwhelms you with affection early on to gain control. Guilt-tripping is another common tactic, as is passive-aggressive behavior.
It’s important to understand these tactics so you can protect yourself and others from being manipulated. Recognizing gaslighting and other forms of manipulation is the first step towards building healthy relationships and setting boundaries.
In this article, we’ll explore these different types of manipulation, including gaslighting, look at why people use them, and give you some strategies for responding to manipulative behavior and building your own resilience.