Mayukh Saha
Mayukh Saha
July 30, 2024 ·  4 min read

5 Phrases a Covert Manipulator Will Use to Control You

Manipulators are masters of deception, skillfully exploiting people’s emotions for their own gain, with no regard for fairness. They create an intricate web of deceit, carefully crafting their manipulative tactics. Their insidiousness often allows them to cause harm undetected until it’s too late, making manipulation a dangerous threat to their victims. Ultimately, manipulators prioritize their own desires above all else, readily exploiting their abilities without considering the consequences for those they manipulate.

Here are 5 phrases manipulators say to make you feel crazy:

“Maybe you don’t understand after all.”

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Manipulators often aim to undermine their victims’ confidence and intelligence by suggesting they “don’t understand after all.” This phrase implies that the victim’s opinions or thoughts are incorrect and unworthy of consideration. This type of manipulation can leave individuals feeling disempowered and frustrated, as it suggests they are incapable of comprehending a situation independently. It can also discourage them from expressing their opinions altogether, out of fear of being told again that they lack understanding. In such situations, it’s crucial to recognize one’s own worth and intelligence. Everyone has the right to express their thoughts without interference or manipulation from others.

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“It’s all in your head.”

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When manipulators say, “it’s all in your head,” they aim to make their victims feel crazy and invalidate their feelings. This phrase is a psychological tactic designed to make someone doubt their own perceptions and instincts, ultimately granting the manipulator more control. It suggests that the victim’s experiences are merely figments of their imagination, not grounded in reality.

In some cases, this manipulation can inflict significant emotional damage, leading victims to question their own instincts and logic. Instead of trusting their gut feelings, they may start doubting themselves and the validity of their emotions or thoughts. It’s essential for those in such situations to remain calm, confident, and true to themselves, despite external pressures to feel otherwise. Everyone has the right to determine what’s best for them, free from invalidation or manipulation.

“You’re just too sensitive.”

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The phrase “you’re just too sensitive” is another tool manipulators use to invalidate their victims’ emotions and make them feel crazy. It suggests that the victim is overreacting and that their feelings are not valid. This type of manipulation can make people hesitant to express their true feelings, as it implies that their emotional expressions are excessive or unwarranted. It can also lead to self-doubt and a tendency to neglect their own needs in order to appease others. It’s crucial for individuals facing this kind of manipulation to stand firm in their beliefs and feelings, despite external pressures to feel otherwise. Everyone has the right to determine what’s best for themselves, free from interference or manipulation.

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“You must be making this up.”

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Manipulators often try to gaslight their victims by accusing them of making things up. This phrase implies that the victim is exaggerating or fabricating a problem to seek attention. It further invalidates their emotions, suggesting they shouldn’t be taken seriously.

This kind of manipulation can severely impact a person’s self-confidence, as it leads them to doubt their own emotions and experiences. They might become hesitant to trust their instincts and may neglect their emotional needs in favor of relying solely on what others say. It’s crucial for those being manipulated in this way to recognize their right to stand firm in their beliefs and feelings, regardless of external pressures. Everyone deserves the autonomy to decide what’s best for themselves without interference or manipulation.

“You are overthinking”

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Manipulators can be formidable adversaries in social situations, often employing psychological tactics to make their victims feel crazy. One such tactic is telling them they are “overthinking.” This statement is designed to invalidate the victim’s feelings and make them doubt their instincts and decisions.

The implication is that the victim is exaggerating their problems or imagining difficulties that don’t exist. This effectively shifts the focus away from any wrongdoing on the manipulator’s part, providing them with an easy escape while making the victim feel insignificant and foolish.

In reality, no one should be forced to question their emotions or succumb to external pressure when making decisions. Everyone has the right to determine what’s best for themselves, free from manipulation or interference. When a manipulator tries to tell someone they are “overthinking,” victims must remain confident in the validity of their thoughts and demand respect for their feelings.

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