Psychological manipulation in relationships takes different forms. The most common ones are gaslightning, triangulation, and silent treatment. No matter its form, manipulation is always ABUSE. At its core, there is a need to exercise undue influence through mental distortion and emotional exploitation on a partner/spouse or other family member/s. Those who manipulate, intent to seize power and control, and receive various benefits and privileges at the expenses of the manipulated partner/family member. Once successful, the manipulative partner (usually a narcissist or a person with another cluster B personality disorder) will repeat their abusive behaviour over and over again, as they lack empathy, have no remorse, and deny taking responsibility for their own actions. 

In this episode, Ashish Parekh and I talk about toxic relationships and psychological manipulation with our guest, Sibin Varghese. We share more light on how manipulation in toxic relationships looks like,  how this type of abuse affects other areas of our lives, and what can we do if we realise that our relationship has been harming our wellbeing and mental health for a long time.