Emotional manipulation happens when someone tries to control your thoughts or feelings without you realizing it. It can happen in romantic relationships, friendships, family, or even at work. Therapist Jeffrey Meltzer shared 6 clear signs to help you recognize emotional manipulation:

1. Too much flattery at the wrong time - They become overly sweet or charming only when you start pulling away. It’s not real concern, just a trick to keep you under control.

2. Silent treatment - They stop talking to you on purpose, making you feel guilty or anxious even though you didn’t do anything wrong.

3. Blaming you for everything - They twist things and make you feel like it’s your fault, even when they are the one hurting you.

4. Using others to reach you - They involve friends or family to speak to you when you’ve set boundaries.

5. Changing the topic - When you bring up an issue, they distract or blame you for something else.

6. Making you doubt yourself - They say things like "You can’t do this without me" to lower your confidence.