 Hey friends, have you ever wondered if you've been manipulated? It can be difficult to spot because it can occur in many different ways. Sometimes it's obvious, other times not. A person can sometimes be so good at manipulating that you don't even know that they're doing it. To understand what a manipulator can look like, here are six signs of an emotional manipulator. Number one, the manipulator constantly judges you. When you're with someone who is manipulating you, you may feel you're always judged, and no matter what you do, it's never quite right in their eyes. They make you always question yourself, which is an attempt for them to earn your trust that slowly eats away at your self-esteem. Number two, they twist the facts to fit their narrative. Manipulators are sneaky in their ways to get you to believe them. They may try to make you question your reality sometimes. This is called gaslighting. Or they may make you feel that you misremembered something or that you can't think clearly. Other times, they could twist the facts to make it seem as if they were the victim and that everyone is against them. But they rarely take accountability for their actions. Number three, they shower you in affection. It may seem obvious when someone is being manipulative, such as gaslighting, insulting you, or lying, but other signs may go unnoticed. Love-bombing is when a manipulator showers you in affection to make you believe that they are wonderful. This can be especially true at the beginning of relationships, where they're the perfect partner, but then suddenly change. Or they may suddenly act kindly to you to keep you from leaving in order to gain and maintain your trust. Number four, they listen to you at first. Manipulators will go to any length to get you to trust them. Similar to showing you affection, you might find that manipulators are amazing listeners and seem genuinely invested in what you have to say. This is because they're looking for things to manipulate you with later. When a manipulator knows how you work, they use this to their advantage. All of a sudden, you may find that this once charming and empathetic person is now ignoring you and using your emotions against you. Number five, they are never wrong. A clear sign that a person is the manipulator is they can never be wrong. Somehow, they will always try to make themselves seem right in a situation no matter what. They'll twist facts, sometimes outright lie, or gaslight you to prove their point. While at first they may seem ridiculous, over time you may find yourself believing them. Number six, they have power over you. When a person is manipulating you, they always try to maintain some level of control in any situation. At work, they may talk to you as if you're clueless about what you're doing or might try to get you to come to their territory. Somehow, you always have to go to them, but they'll never come to you. While manipulation can occur in many ways, it's extremely damaging to you. Dealing with manipulators can be extremely difficult and feel like a constant, exhausting uphill battle. Talking with a professional is a great way to help navigate your feelings and learn ways to establish boundaries. Have you experienced any of these tactics? Share with us in the comments below and be sure to let others know who might benefit from this video. The references and studies used are listed in the description box below. Thanks for watching friends and see you next time.