Adrian Volenik
No one’s perfect, but it also can’t always be our fault, can it? If someone’s trying to imply that you can never do anything right, they might be manipulating you.
That’s quite serious, isn’t it?
For that reason, let’s see if any of the following phrases sound familiar to you. Namely, they’re some typical phrases you might hear a manipulator say to you to make you feel like you’re always wrong.
1) “You’re just too sensitive.”
Imagine you’re sharing how something bothered you, and they hit you with the classic “You’re just too sensitive.”
It’s like a subtle eye roll to your feelings. But hey, being in touch with your emotions is no weakness; it’s a gift.
It’s a classic manipulation tactic to make you question if your emotions are correct or if you’re overreacting.
By labeling you as overly sensitive, they want to undermine your confidence and control the narrative.
If you start believing you’re too sensitive, you might second-guess your reactions and let them off the hook for their actions in the future, too.
2) “You’re always looking for problems that aren’t there.”
When you notice something’s off and you raise your voice to point it out, a manipulator will try to deflect and tell you you’re always looking for problems that aren’t there.
They’ll try to convince you that your worries are baseless, making it seem like you are too suspicious or paranoid.
If you ever feel like something’s not right or you see a pattern of behavior that worries you, don’t ignore it.
It’s important to talk about these things openly in a relationship. Healthy relationships mean being honest about what’s bothering you and working together to figure things out.
Don’t let manipulative tricks mess with your confidence in understanding what’s going on. Trust your gut and communicate openly to keep things healthy and right.
3) “You always overreact.”
Okay, you’ve finally gathered the courage to bring up something that genuinely bothers you, perhaps a recurring issue in the relationship or a situation that’s been frustrating.
Instead of accepting your feelings, they dismiss your concerns by simply saying, “You always overreact.”
But, hey, frustration and concern are natural reactions to problems that impact you. The manipulator uses this phrase to downplay the importance of the issue, attempting to make you feel like your reactions are exaggerated or unwarranted.
Instead of allowing them to brush off your emotions, openly talk to them about the specific issue causing frustration.
By focusing on the actual problem, you shift the conversation from questioning your emotional responses to finding constructive solutions.
4) “You’re being too emotional.”
Picture a scenario where you’re genuinely upset or frustrated, and they respond with, “You’re being too emotional.”
This phrase aims to invalidate your feelings by suggesting your emotional responses are irrational or unnecessary.
They create a situation where expressing genuine emotions is a flaw rather than a normal and healthy part of human interaction.
Dismissing someone as “too emotional” not only negates their feelings but also leads to suppressing emotions and stopping open communication in the relationship.
Over time, you also might hesitate to share your emotions, fearing judgment or dismissal.
Think about that.
5) “I can’t believe you don’t trust me.”
If you catch a manipulator in a questionable situation, they might turn the tables, making you feel guilty for doubting them.
Instead of addressing your legitimate uneasiness, they immediately shift the narrative. They make it about your lack of trust rather than their suspicious actions.
This tactic is designed to make you feel guilty for even questioning them, creating a diversion from their own behavior.
As does this:
6) “You must have misunderstood what I said.”
They say something hurtful, then claim you misinterpreted it. They’re trying to gaslight you into believing that your view is wrong.
In reality, this phrase is a subtle way for them to evade responsibility for their hurtful words.
But if something struck you as hurtful or inappropriate, it likely was. Manipulators often deliberately use confusing language, creating a fog that makes it difficult for you to hold them accountable.
Don’t allow them to undermine your perception or make you doubt your understanding of the situation. Stand your ground.
7) “You’re too paranoid.”
If you feel anxious about a situation, and they dismiss it as paranoia, remember that trusting your instincts is, once again, crucial.
The “paranoia” label is often used to make you doubt yourself, but you’re not wrong for feeling uneasy.
Share why you’re feeling the way you are, and discuss what’s bothering you. Don’t let someone make you feel like you’re crazy for trusting your instincts
8) “Why are you making such a big deal out of this?”
Ever brought up a concern, and they made it seem like you’re blowing things out of proportion?
For example, you’ve been feeling overwhelmed at work, and the boss is all over you. When you try to discuss it with a colleague, they respond with, “Why are you making such a big deal out of this? Everyone has a lot of work.”
This is very frustrating as it undermines your stress and makes you feel like your concerns aren’t that big.
But don’t let them downplay your feelings; if it matters to you, it’s a big deal, and it’s essential to have conversations about what’s important to you.
9) “You’re imagining things.”
Again, something’s not right, and you raise your concerns, but they insist it’s all in your head.
That’s not only unfair but could also be a sign of manipulation. I’d always be wary of someone telling me I’m imagining things.
Manipulators might try to mess with your head, but acknowledging what you see and feel is vital.
Don’t let someone convince you you’re imagining stuff when you’ve got a gut feeling about it.
Here’s a similar phrase:
10) “I never said that. You must be confused.”
Imagine you’re having a conversation with someone, and they say something that catches your attention.
Later on, when you bring it up, they say, “I never said that; you must be confused.” It’s like a sudden twist, making you doubt your own memory.
It’s essential to trust your memory. If you’re sure about what was said or what happened, don’t let them play mind games.
This kind of move, where they backtrack on their words and make you question your recollection, is a well-known manipulation gaslighting tactic.
Gaslighting messes with your sense of reality, and it’s not cool. Instead of second-guessing yourself, stand your ground.
11) “You’re just too negative.”
If you express concerns and they label you as negative, remember that addressing issues isn’t negativity.
You’re not raining on anyone’s parade; you’re trying to make things better by talking about what’s bothering you.
For example, you bring up concerns about your finances, maybe feeling overwhelmed by bills.
Instead of discussing possible solutions, they dismiss it with, “You’re always so negative about money.”
It’s not about negativity. It’s about addressing real challenges and figuring out a plan together.
Final thoughts
Recognizing the manipulation is key. Your feelings are correct and reasonable, and you’re not always in the wrong.
Trust your instincts, and don’t let their dismissive comments mess with your emotional intelligence.
