#emotional-manipulation

#emotional-manipulation

When partners are unhappy, they communicate this mostly indirectly. They don't just express unhappiness during arguments - they're meaner, sabotage their partners, and deliberately stir negative emotions. They often have the attitude "If I'm unhappy, you're going to be unhappy too." Below are seven communication patterns people exhibit when they're unhappy in their relationship. This article isn't meant to be judgmental. Readers may notice they're enacting some patterns and on the receiving end of others.

Denominator neglect happens when someone focuses on the big picture (the total number of events) while ignoring the actual harm caused by a specific one. In math terms, it's like a fraction: the numerator (top number) is the painful event that affected you, and the denominator (bottom number) is the total number of times something happened. Denominator neglect is used to downplay serious issues by minimizing their impact, shifting blame onto you, or refusing accountability.

Brandon's behavior reflects his need for control and validation, deriving pleasure from manipulating others, which presents an ethical dilemma for his therapist.

Narcissistic abuse is a form of emotional and psychological manipulation where the abuser seeks to control their victim to extract emotional, physical, or material resources.

Not the asshole. Your husband has spent five years deliberately making your life harder in tiny ways and then lying to your face to make you think you are crazy.