If your spouse consistently criticizes you and makes you feel inadequate or worthless, it may be a form of emotional manipulation.
Manipulators often try to isolate their partners from friends and family to gain more control over them. They might discourage you from spending time with loved ones or make you feel guilty for doing so.
Gaslighting is a tactic used to make you doubt your own perception of reality. Your spouse may deny things they said or did, making you question your memory and sanity.
Manipulators may use emotional blackmail, such as threatening to leave you, harm themselves, or divulge embarrassing information about you, to get what they want.
If your spouse uses affection, intimacy, or approval as a reward for compliance or a punishment for disagreement, it's a sign of manipulation.
Manipulators often seek control over finances, leaving you financially dependent and less likely to assert yourself.
Giving you the silent treatment or withdrawing affection to make you feel guilty or anxious is a manipulative tactic.
Manipulators avoid taking responsibility for their actions by shifting blame onto you or others, making it challenging to address issues.
Your spouse may use guilt trips to manipulate you into doing what they want or to make you feel responsible for their emotions.
Any form of threats, intimidation, or physical aggression is a clear red flag of manipulation and an abusive relationship.