Manipulative Behavior: How to Recognize a "Leech"

You don’t really need to stare off into the cosmos struggling with the belief that someone you care about has manipulative behavior and is taking advantage of you because you already know. As intelligent beings, we all come equipped with a nagging voice inside that shouts when something isn't right or when someone isn't everything they're claiming to be. Unfortunately, a lot of us ignore that voice and are victimized by manipulative behavior on a continuous basis.

Whether it's a family member who exploits the love we have for them or a co-worker who believes we're feeble minded because we're friendly, it's not easy to confront this person with our feelings because it's much easier to just get along.

But when do we make a decision to draw the line and acknowledge that we're being run over by someone with manipulative behavior and, more than anything, when do we decide to do something about it?

Do we wake up one morning, refusing to get out of our beds; Exhausted from trying to save that relative that's not even interested in saving themselves?

Or is it when the telephone rings, we look at the caller I.D. and feel nauseated?
Do we then accept that it's time to cut all ties with this person?

Whenever your awareness hits, I'm willing to bet you'll notice you've been feeling awful for some time now.

You've probably been shushing the inkling inside, believing you're the one with the problem, but at the same time, you've also noticed you can never shake the weird vibe you get every time this person is around.

Honestly, you suspect your relationship with your manipulator is a joke and the joke is repeatedly on you!

You want to disappear and don’t think for one moment this crafty individual doesn’t sense you’re tiring of them. That’s when they smooth things over and begin the artistry of their manipulative behavior all over again. And you proceed, as always, to fall for it.

So, just in case you're not sure, let's examine what manipulative behavior is.

A Leech in action.

Credit: istock

Copyright: istock