Are YOU being manipulated? Psychologist reveals the four signs someone is trying to control you
A psychologist has discovered four signs someone might be manipulating you — including putting conditions on acts of kindness they do for you.
dr Julie Smith, a clinical psychologist in private practice in Hampshire, has more than four million followers on TikTok.
She shares videos related to mental health issues on the platform, where she has amassed around 52 million likes.
Topics she has covered include how to feel more confident, how to recognize the signs you are heading towards burnout and how to stop disaster.
In a recent clip that has been viewed more than a million times, the psychologist discussed signs you may be being manipulated and listed four behaviors to look out for.
dr Julie Smith (pictured) is a clinical psychologist in private practice in Hampshire. She has gained more than 4.2 million followers on TikTok
In the video, Dr. Smith: I’m a psychologist and here are four signs you’re being manipulated.
“First, they relentlessly undermine or put you right where it hurts with a very personal attack.
‘[They] then follow up with something like, “I’m just saying, don’t overreact.”
She adds that they do this “not just once, but over and over again over time.”
On the second point, Dr. Smith: “Second, they do things for you, maybe even things you didn’t even ask for, and then use that as currency to get you to do what they want you to do.
“So every act of kindness seems to come with strings attached.”
The third point was that “they could dismiss your problems and play up their own.”
She explained that this can be played out by them saying things like, “Oh, you think you’ve got it bad? Try to be me.’
In a recent video, clinical psychologist Dr. Julie Smith (pictured) has four signs that someone may be manipulating you
Moving on to her last point, Dr. Smith: Number four [is] play the victim role.
“They refuse to take responsibility for themselves and then ask you to do things for them that you wouldn’t normally say yes to if you think they could do it for themselves.”
Viewers took to the video’s comments section to discuss their thoughts on the clip, as well as their own experiences with feelings and manipulation.
One revealed: “That’s why I want to be alone most of the time these days. I’m so fed up with them manipulating me.’
Another added: “Sounds like my life for the last 26 years now free but it’s tough.”
And a third wrote: “Yes, I’m experiencing that right now.”