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[THREAD] I want to dedicate a thread about the potential for being manipulated when our mental health is not doing well. This is something that happens quite often under the guise of compromise or guilt a vulnerable person into something they might not feel comfortable with.
Unfortunately, people closest to us would realize when our mental health is not doing well for the most part. Sometimes, even subconsciously, they would try to manipulate the person. They realize that the person may be more malleable now than they were before.
The biggest tool that is used to achieve that manipulation is guilt. When someone’s self-esteem is suffering, they are more likely to accept anything to be loved and accepted even if it doesn’t benefit them. That vulnerability can be used against us.
How can we realize this is happening to us? The first thing we can do is ask other people, or people who we can trust by describing the situation and receiving feedback in terms of whether it is reasonable or not.
By being isolated, it is easier to manipulate us by manipulating our reality and using that guilt freely. That’s why it is really important not to remain isolated when we are not doing well. It helps us feel more connected to others around us, and we are harder to manipulate.
If someone is pressuring us into a decision, we can insist on needing to think about it rather than give the answer right away. That way we have a chance to take a step back and assess whether the demand is reasonable or not. It is perfectly okay to hesitate and need more time.
Also, it is okay to trust our instincts. Even if our mental health is not doing well, if we don’t feel comfortable with someone or a situation, it is okay to retreat even if we have no explanation for it. We don’t have to force ourselves through it.
We can also journal entries of interactions with a certain person who we are scared may be manipulating us! We can then look back at entries and see whether we notice a pattern of them trying to get something out of us or making unreasonable demands. This can be quite helpful.
I hope that these small tips would be helpful in terms of assessing whether someone might be trying to take advantage of our vulnerabilities. It is important to make sure that others don’t add extra stress to our already struggling mental health!
