Emotional blackmail is not a pleasant thing to encounter, and many of us succumb to it without even realizing it at various stages in our lives. The truth is that there are many manipulative people out there, who seem to thrive on getting a one-up over someone they deem to be vulnerable and/or they feel they can take something from.
As a result, emotional blackmail is something you should do your utmost to avoid. If you think you’re already in such a situation, you need to be able to recognize the signs to identify emotional blackmail and put an end to it. Here is our guide to dealing with emotional blackmail:
Red Flag Situations
1. If you always seem to end up apologizing for your actions even though you know you did nothing wrong.
2. If your partner or spouse never takes no for an answer.
3. If you always end up giving in to your spouse or partner’s wishes at the expense of your own.
4. If the amount of times you make sacrifices for your partner or spouse far outweighs the number of times they do the same for you.
5. If you’re being intimidated or threatened into abiding by your spouse or partner’s wishes.
The Typical Emotional Blackmail Tactic
A book entitled “Emotional Blackmail”, written by Susan Forward and Donna Frazier, theorizes that those who use emotional blackmail employ a Fear --> Emotion --> Guilt tactic.
The first stage involves the manipulator making the victim fear, anger or disappoint them. In turn, this makes the victim feel obligated to meet their demands. If the victim fails to comply, then the result is feelings of guilt being instilled by the manipulator for not abiding by his or her wishes.
All of this is done very subtly – the manipulator uses tactics to appeal to the victim’s sensibilities. They make their demands seem reasonable, and make the victim feel selfish if they aren’t given what they want.
If you feel that you’re the victim of FOG tactics by your partner or spouse, ask someone who you’re close to give you a different perspective on your relationship by telling you what they see from the outside.
Vulnerable Individuals
Individuals who are most vulnerable to emotional blackmail are the ones who have trouble saying “no”. If you think you’re one of those people, you need to allow yourself to get comfortable with the thought of refusing or rebutting that which you are not content with doing. Think about the tone of voice you’ll use to utter the little word in the future, as well as the words you’ll use to reflect empowerment and help you feel more in control of the situations you’re likely to face.
How to Put a Stop to Emotional Blackmail
1. Prioritize your wants, needs and preferences over those of your partner.
2. Set clear boundaries that cannot be overstepped in any circumstances.
3. Realize that although you may love your partner very much, your well-being comes first. Share your personal priorities and make compromises accordingly.
4. Remember that giving in to emotional blackmail will only make your situation worse.
5. If your partner or spouse is threatening you with physical violence, or alluding to threats of physical violence, leave immediately and alert the authorities of the threats being leveled against you.
6. Reach out to your social support system and seek professional help if you need to.
Content Source: ThriveWorks
Here Are 7 Very Clear Signs of Hoarding to Look Out For
Hoarding is a difficult psychological problem, but it can be spotted quite easily. Here are 7 clear signs of hoarding.
This Is Why It's a Bad Idea to Go to Bed With Wet Hair
Hair is at its most fragile when it's wet, not to mention that it can give rise to dandruff and bacterial growth. Here's why you should dry it after washing.
10 Simple Solutions to Removing Paint Stains From Clothes
Got paint stains on your clothes but not sure how to remove them? Here's what to do.
Be Sure to Read This if You're Planning a Cookout Soon!
Most people love a good cookout, but that doesn't mean that mistakes don't get made when grilling. Here are 12 common grilling mistakes that everyone makes.
Make Sure Never To Use a Vacuum On These Household Items
Vacuum cleaners are the most effective tool against spills and messes but it can have disastrous results if you decide to clean up these spills with a vacuum
When is Sweating a Sign of a Serious Health Issue? A Guide.
If you seem to be sweating to excess, your body might be trying to tell you something about the state of your health. Learn these 8 signs now.
She Left This Letter Before She Died, It Was Heartbreaking
A little girl passed away, this is the letter they found...
These Important Life Lessons I Learned From My Mother
At times, life can be hard, so we can all use a piece of good advice from time to time. Here are 12 valuable life lessons that my Mom taught me.
6 Life-Changing Habits to Adopt and Get Out of a Rut...
When unhappiness takes a toll on my mental and emotional well-being, I turn to these six life-changing habits to help me overcome my lowest of moods.
Beauty Is Captured in these Romantic Words by Robert Burns
Love is depicted beautifully in this poem by Robert Burns.
How to Be Optimistic Around Negative People
If you think you’re a natural-born pessimist and there’s no hope of ever turning your mindset around, then think again!
30 Inspiring Quotes About the Importance of Time
These profound quotes about time will make you grateful for every second.
Don't Make Life So Complicated! Live by These 3 Rules
We make our lives out to be more complicated than they need to be. Listen to these inspiring words.
Learn This Lesson To Appreciate What You Have
Instead of trying to chase what we don't have, we should take a moment to appreciate what we do actually have. Read this wonderful lesson.
Have You Made Someone Smile Today? You're About To!
Send one of these gorgeous GIF messages to someone dear today.
Dealing with the Loss of a Spouse: How to Proceed
Losing a loved one is a most devastating event, and there are many ways of overcoming the grief. Here are some things to consider to help you through mourning.
No Use Crying Over Spilled Milk: Learn to Deal with Guilt
Feeling guilty is part of being human, but it doesn't mean you should submit to it. Consider these 4 thoughts to help you deal with guilt
20 Beautiful Quotes on the Importance of Moving On in Life
To help you on your journey of self-improvement, let us share the 20 most powerful, meaningful, and encouraging quotes about letting go with you
The Wise and Beautiful Words of Princess Diana
Proncess Diana is remembered for her grace, compassion, and generosity. These are her most powerful words.
These Photos Will Make You Admit That Life Is Beautiful
These photos show us the true beauty of life - one that is filled with kindness and happiness.
This Short Film Will Bring a Tear to Your Eye!
Watch this short film about homelessness. Heartbreaking!
Discover Your Joyful True Nature in 5 Valuable Steps
Discover your joyful true nature in 5 meditative steps.
From 7 to 75 - These People Want to Give You Advice
Every age has some wisdom to it. There is child wisdom that we forget as we get older, and there is old wisdom that young people haven't understood yet. This video shows you a little bit from every age.
I Hope This Message Turns Your Frown Upside Down
We sincerely hope that this message will make your day that little bit brighter.
Let Your Thoughts Bloom Like Beautiful Flowers
We need to nurture our thoughts just as we nurture beautiful flowers. We must learn all the lessons we can in order to become better people, one step at a time.
The Principles of a Good Life Are Simple...
We recommended you memorize the following 10 principles because they'll help you improve the quality of your life forever.
Make Your Life Better By Following These Simple Rules
If you're wondering what it takes to live a joy-filled life, all you need to do is follow these 9 simple rules.
Shocking! Here's What Your Wedding Vows SHOULD Say
Many problems that people experience throughout their married lives stem from the vows they make right at the very beginning. This video explains exactly why.
10 Important Things True Friends Deserve to Be Thanked For
True friends are as precious as pearls, let yours know just what they mean to you...
These Short Prayers to God Will Bring Peace and Gratitude
Saying a short prayer brings about a peace within me, so I thought I'd share with you 8 simple, yet effective prayers for all occasions.
This is Exactly Why You Should Have a Cat in Your Life
Every single cat owner will agree with the message in this video!
One Thing I Want To Remember: It's in the Valleys I Grow...
Here's a beautiful and powerful prayer you will need to get through your downfalls..
The Many Blessings of Giving Honest Thanks...
These beautiful thoughts bring to light the positive magic that comes from giving honest thanks.
These Wise Buddha Quotes Made Me Think...
These inspiring Buddha quotes are great food for thought!
Heeding This Advice Will Make Your Life That Much Better
What does it take to live a happy life? These 28 pieces of advice reveal all.
Martin Luther King Had a Powerful Message to Share
Martin Luther King left a legacy and some of the most powerful words in history.
King Solomon's Ring - A Short Story with a Great Lesson
King Solomon decided to send his servant to find a magical ring. A story with an important message about happiness and coping.
How to Avoid Anger: A Wise Guru Explains
Watch guru Sadhguru give great advice about the best way to avoid the negative of all emotions - anger.
This Ex-Monk Has 9 Words of Advice to Quiet the Mind
Nine valuable tips to deal with persistent thoughts that interfere with a peaceful mind, spoken by an ex-monk.
Sometimesm, the Right Words Can Return Our Balance
Learn to achieve balance in your life and get the inspiration you need from these quotes.
I Just Wanted to Share These Basic Truths With You
When times get tough, always remember these inspiring and beautiful words
20 Wonderful Life Quotes for Women’s Month
These 20 thoughtful quotes span centuries of phenomenal women thinkers, so let's honor them and ourselves by reading them thoughtfully.
16 Beautiful Quotes About Aging With Grace
Enjoy these pearls of wisdom and may they inspire a newfound appreciation for the golden years.
The Lying Dad: A Beautiful and Inspiring Story
This beautiful story of love between father and daughter is one you won't soon forget.
16 Things You Need to Say Goodbye To As You End the Year
Here are a few things you may need to forget as we welcome a new beginning.
May Your Life be Blessed with Strength and Courage
You are more courageous than you think. Here's a message that will inspire you.
Aging Gracefully Is Within Your Reach - Just Read This
This touching message will enlighten you on how to age with grace and style. Take this heartwarming message on board to enhance your life.