Manipulative people rarely sound manipulative — in fact, they can often sound reasonable or even helpful at first. But ...

Psychological fatigue is a common outcome of covert manipulation. Studies link emotional imbalance to increased stress and ...

Navigating friendships can sometimes feel like walking a tightrope, especially when you're trying to distinguish between a friend who's simply a bit self-centered and one who's crossing into ...

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you muster the courage to voice your feelings, only to end up feeling guilty and invalidated? It’s a scenario many of us have experienced. You try to ...

The flickering gaslights in a 1944 film gave birth to what would become one of the most insidious forms of emotional abuse recognized today. In the classic thriller “Gaslight,” Ingrid Bergman portrays ...

In relationships, emotional manipulation is often about seizing power and using it to control the other person mentally, physically, financially, or emotionally. If you or your loved ones are in a ...

Manipulation and narcissism are weighty terms, especially when used in the same sentence. But there's a reason they're often uttered in the same breath (and quote tile on Instagram): The two go hand ...

In 2026, “ghostlighting” blends ghosting and gaslighting, creating a toxic dating pattern that undermines trust and emotional ...

Making you feel insecure is a manipulation tactic only toxic people use. Many people, especially in toxic relationships or with a history of childhood trauma, have been programmed to believe they're ...

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Mark Travers writes about the world of psychology. Abusive behavior is not always obvious. Here are some of the mechanisms ...

Relationships should be about love, trust, and respect. But sometimes, things can get tricky, and you might find yourself questioning whether your partner has your best interests at heart. If you ...