Spotting Emotional Manipulation in your Support System

Support Systems / Support Systems : Eleanor Haley


Today we want to talk about people who are maybe not so good for you in your grief or, oh say, life in general.  These people come in all shapes and sizes, but mostly we'd like to concentrate on the emotionally manipulative kind because they are the most clever and sneaky.  While this is not a grief specific topic per se, emotional manipulation comes up all the time in our workshops, our comments section, and through questions we receive via email.

Actually, this topic is especially relevant to grief because (1) people are vulnerable after they experience the death of someone they love and (2) research has shown that having a healthy support system has not only been linked with reduced rates of PTSD, but also may contribute to the likelihood a person will feel they've experienced posttraumatic growth as a result of their experiences.

Ideally weeding toxic people out of your support system would be easy, but in reality it can be hard to objectively look at people you have relationships with. Even when something feels definitively off, it can be difficult to tell if the problem lies with you or with them. They've been there for you (at times), they've done nice things for you in the past (you think), and they're your friend - aren't they? Sometimes the answer is "yes", sometimes the answer is "yes, but..." and sometimes the answer is "no!".

When to say...

"You are my friend, but your not the right support person for this particular problem."

What kind of friend are you?  The advice-giver friend?  The lets-watch-funny-movies-together friend? The I've-known-you-my-whole-life friend?  The get-your-butt-off-the-couch friend?  The I'll-help-you-move friend? The I'll-watch-football-with-you-but-never-soccer friend?  You are a lot of things to a lot of people and you are different things to different people, but you aren't everything to everyone, nor should you be. The same goes for your friends and family. Some of them might be great thinkers but horrible doers, others might be great advice givers but horrible listeners. Just like you, they each have a unique take on life, love, children, family, work, problems, and relationships.

When seeking support, it's important to make sure your looking to the right person for what you need.  If you go to someone for support they don't know how to give, you set them up for failure and yourself up for disappointment.  This is the type of misunderstanding that can lead a person to believe someone isn't there for them at all, when in reality that someone just didn't know how to support the person in the way they needed.  For further elaboration on this topic see our post on support system superlatives. 

When to say...

"I love you, but I can't be around you right now."

Sometimes you have to move on from people who you love, care about, and value because being close to them hurts you or holds you back.  Even though this person isn't bad, staying close to them threatens your well-being for whatever reason. Perhaps they were a part of a lifestyle you need to leave in the past; perhaps they tempt you into doing things that you want to stop doing; perhaps you need to change and that makes them uncomfortable; or perhaps, despite your underlying love for one another, the relationship is just too damaged to repair.  Sadly, sometimes you just have to say "I care about you, but for the sake of my emotional well-being I can't be around you."  You might even want to add a "right now", because maybe in the future when you're feeling stronger you'll be able to reconnect in a healthy and positive way.

When to say...

"Lose my number."

Many relationships deserve a chance to survive, but some do not.  You would often be best served to jettison relationships that involve emotional manipulation, yet sometimes these are the most difficult relationships to disentangle yourself from.  Psychology Today defines psychological manipulation in the following way...

"Psychological manipulation can be defined as the exercise of undue influence through mental distortion and emotional exploitation, with the intention to seize power, control, benefits, and privileges at the victim’s expense."

First of all, I know some of you are saying "I wouldn't let anyone do that to me" and I hope you are right.  But keep in mind, no one wants to be the victim of emotional manipulation. People who use emotional manipulation are often clever and charming. If they're really good, they make you feel as though you are important, loved, and needed by them and so, at times, it seems as though there's a pay off to pleasing them.  In the resulting dynamic, you either don't realize you're being taken advantage of or you actually feel as though you want to give up your time and energy to make the person happy.

As the label implies, emotional manipulators exploit emotion to get what they want, so be wary if you are currently feeling emotionally vulnerable (or if you're just a generally caring person). Obviously there is more to it and I recommend this article if you want elaboration, but in a nutshell here's what emotional manipulators do:

(1) They identify your weaknesses and use them against you to get what they want.  Sadly, because they're exploiting your weaknesses, you often end up blaming yourself or feeling inadequate for unhappiness and/or problems in the relationships.

(2) They make you feel as though they desperately need your time, attention, and energy because without it they will suffer some sort of emotional or physical harm or your relationship will suffer or there will be even broader implications. Of course you comply because...

  • You're a good person
  • You don't want to hurt them
  • Their unhappiness means you've failed
  • You want them to be pleased with you

(3) If you try and draw boundaries or say no to them, they make you feel guilty by shifting the focus away from the consequences you experience as a result of giving in and towards the ways that your resistance hurts them.

(4)  They convince you that their actions, which you feel in your gut are wrong or malicious, are actually good, helpful, or altruistic.

Add all this up - the guilt, blame, and distorting of reality - and it's easy to see how a person might not realize they are being taken advantage of.  It's often only after repeated manipulation that a person recognizes they are involved in a dynamic that harms them while serving another.

Even in the light of day it can be hard to put a stop to manipulation, especially if you are prone to feeling guilt and self blame or if you worry you will be alone and isolated without the love of the toxic person. The articles I linked above both have recommendations on how to handle emotional manipulators if these are people you want to keep in your life.  If you are grieving, though, I might recommend a more extreme course of action.  You need all the energy you can muster, you need to take care of yourself, and you need to lean on people who have your best interests at heart.  At this time, cutting the emotional manipulator out of your life completely might be an act of self preservation and, as hard as it may be to believe, you are strong enough to take control of your life in this way.   

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27 Comments on "Spotting Emotional Manipulation in your Support System"

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  1. Leoma Blackwood  October 27, 2022 at 12:19 am Reply

    I lost my husband past on June 5 this year at time his daughter had POA not financials never saw paper she had his bill fold and check book at times either one of us didn’t have my name on my husband Bank account she took money out ATM without permission also she wrote out four check pay bill one House payment and lot rent two were wrote out Fargo and vacuum she didn’t pay van payments she has van drive around with it bank realize that signatures wasn’t his name two came back As not enough to cover it she manipulated me. She went out on her own claims pay funeral home which she didn’t my brother in law pay for it she got caught police question her

  2. lindy  January 15, 2022 at 7:17 pm Reply

    I lost my only daughter to suicide seven years ago – my son has married and two babies and i thought his wife would be a bit empathetic – she has a sister and a mother and I am devastated about a lot of things she has said – forgot to reply when I invited her whole family over for a casual swim “sorry I forgot” and another comment that she does not want me to use her two little ones to bring joy back to me (using) sorry I can’t really put it very well I am very tired and upset as I have taken meals, babysat (out of absolute love and joy) and totally understand the sleep depravation she may be experiencing but I am so sad at her lack of empathy – I think having her sister and mum – its a bit like they don’t want me in the group!! is this being childish of me as she treats me like a naughty child

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  3. Carla Glover  June 19, 2020 at 8:25 am Reply

    Hi i thought i was alone in this. I lost my son, he was murdered an i still hv no answers going on 3 years, Still like a bad night!! My only sister an her daughter have somethings that are unbelievable an so hurtful! Im so traumatized i can hardly breathe. My son an i had a beautiful relationship an they mad it ugly an i dont understand why. Ive been nothing but good to them, an to slander my name like i killed my son is horrible! Everyday i wake up crying i miss him so much he was the kindest son ever! I feel like im being tortured can’t grief my son the way i should. Don’t know how to handle this so i blocked them

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  4. Michelle  October 21, 2019 at 9:52 am Reply

    I am suffering from PTSD following the loss of my brother’s tragic death five months ago. The PTSD comes from two sources – 1) The nature of my beloved brother’s death is terrifying to me as he jumped from a 325 ft. bridge and; 2) Just 5 weeks after he took his life, my husband’s brother-in-law verbally and emotionally abused me and it was so severe that I will never, ever get over it. He should have known better as he suffered his own shattering loss after losing his teenage son in a car accident 25 years ago but he didn’t hold back – he was picking fights with me, baiting me, was argumentative and then he attacked faith, attacked my Christian religion and criticized Christians. I never received a hug, no “I’m sorry for your loss,” nothing! He showed ZERO compassion and empathy towards me and was blatantly disrespectful. I would have kicked him out of my house as he more than deserved it but I held back as my husband doesn’t believe in doing such a thing. I finally couldn’t stand it anymore and yelled at my BIL just one time and then this reaction made me look like the aggressor. Then, my husband was so angry at me that he even threatened to divorce me! I can’t hardly believe that things got so ugly so fast and how oblivious my husband was to my BIL’S outrageously cruel behavior that afternoon. Believe me, I have had plenty of conversations with my husband since explaining my perspective and how vile and cruel this BIL was and how he was the bad actor. Finally he now sees and agrees with me and understands why this horribly cruel man is forever banned from my life and our children’s lives. My husband also has some big time sucking up to do with his cruelty towards me. Grieving the loss of my brother in the midst of all this heartache and distress has been enormously difficult.

    PLEASE! STAY FAR FAR AWAY FROM TOXIC PEOPLE or anyone you may suspect as being potentially toxic. I can’t undo the past and all I can do now is try to heal and help educate others to take great care in protecting oneself during these most difficult times in our lives. NOBODY deserves to be treated so inhumanely by anyone EVER and especially when one is grieving.

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  5. EMMA T  July 16, 2019 at 5:04 pm Reply

    My Manipulator ‘friend” actually showed up on our vacation…in another country, univited. I happened to mention that we were going to UK for business and will add a few days onto the trip to explore. She said, I wanna go. I told her, this isn’t the right trip for that, we are going for business and will have obligations even on our off days. She not only asked once to go, she asked numerous times and each time I responded with the same…this isn’t the right trip for that.
    WELL, she politely asked me many questions about the trip on various calls and visits. Like, when do you leave, who are flying, what time are your flights, where are you staying…and guess what…she showed up, in another country and begged to be included in our itinerary, which she had expertly noted. Stating, Im going to join you on such and such tour…it sounds fun! We were both furious, but I didn’t know what to do or say and I didn’t want to create drama in the middle of my vaca so I let her tag along. That was the wrong thing to do…as she has now DEMANDED to know why I wont include her in my vacation plans and makes me feel guilty. Its bullshit, and guess what…we are no longer friends, but she is having a hard excepting this and continues to make demands that I refuse to oblige. DRAMA DRAMA DRAMA. I have hit my limit and we are no longer friends as far as I am concerned. She on the other hand is not willing taking responsibility and is excessively persistant in finding a way to get back in. DOOR is CLOSED. We have many common friends who hope I will come around, which is not helpful. Any suggestions?

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  6. ks  April 1, 2019 at 10:07 pm Reply

    I can’t even begin to explain how I feel right now. I have been repeatedly hurt and played with this first year since my sister has died, by friends, family, co-workers, everyone. I always thought my being a pleaser, helper, kind-hearted person were good characteristics, but I now see people use that. It hurts that this is the time they choose to kick me, that I mean so little. I never would treat even strangers so cruelly and I don’t understand why it’s okay to them, why I should get over it and accept it. I have tried to explain and speak up when I feel attacked or just hurt, and it has not gone well. Obviously a lot of people see me as there for their benefit only, it doesn’t enter their minds to go both ways, and for me to support them when I am grieving is too much! I need some comfort support, and I can’t be that for everyone all the time. My best friend actually hasn’t spoke to me for over a year now bc I spoke up, and now I am a horrible selfish person she is scared of- yeah, I wasn’t even mean when I told her how I felt but she cut me out completely and acts like I don’t exist. It hurts. I have a hard time opening up and trusting, I feel I was told to shut up. I just wanted to be hugged and I feel I am pushed in a corner.

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    • J A  May 29, 2019 at 1:18 am Reply

      That’s horrible what they did. I am so sorry. I wish I can hug you and wash away the pain and the betrayal.

  7. Ingrid  December 26, 2018 at 7:41 pm Reply

    What a great article! Reading a lot of responses shows that I’m not the only person going through this. I have a half sister who I was always there for for many years. I literally bent over backwards to be there for her for many issues she had in her life for years. When I had a significant death in my family she wasn’t there for me. When I broke down and told her how many times I have been there for her she acted like what I did for her was nothing. I realize that she manipulated me so many times and I was just a doormat to her. It was a one way street. Now she is trying to slander me and say things about me that aren’t true. I still have my father but when he dies I won’t have support system. I have been so hurt over this situation. May everyone that is here find peace and happiness in their lives.

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  8. Kirsty  November 28, 2018 at 8:46 pm Reply

    I am SO thankful for this article. I lost my gorgeous dad earlier this year and of course, scared of drowning in my own loss, I grabbed onto the first kind person who spoke to me – she made out she was kind and doing things to as she often said ’empower’ others but in actual fact she is one of the most pained and toxic people I have ever met. There is a kind soul in there (as in 99% of the human population) but her patterns of emotional abuse are just repeated on a daily basis. She yells and swears at you all the time and her children. It did take me 5 months to realise this of course – I had the grief slows – I always felt worthless, pathetic and a quivering wreck after we had communicated. But she was going to save and empower me remember it would be worth it – she was going to save me and my kids from the pit of doom. She also refused to listen and then became increasingly hostile. As I joined my life saving support group and found more positive support outlets she actually ditched me. Just one day she refused to communicate with me. I realise now that this is actually a massive gift for my healing. I wish her loving kindness and that she one day she may find herself free from her own personal agony- but reading your article reminded me that her pain and her life’s weight – has nothing to do with me. I continue on my journey of loss and finally understand the gift of kindness, self respect and making the choice to only be around those who can see me as I am and as I chose to be today. Thank you for an extremely timely reminder and permission to let go.

  9. Kate  January 18, 2018 at 3:34 am Reply

    I lost my fiance to suicide in 2016. He was still married and his wife resumed her role as the now-very-grieving Mrs., even though she left him more than 2 years prior to his death and had a boyfriend for over a year. Our child was born 5 months prior to his death. So, he left 2 biological children and a step child behind. For his wife and child and step child, he left a very generous life insurance benefit, of which he often spoke of – that he could “at least leave his kids money”, which I would counter every time with “they would rather have a father than a trust fund”. He was suicidal for many months and tried four times, twice during my pregnancy, twice after the birth. I met his family, he met mine (we lived far away). I also met his estranged wife.
    I was not blind to the emotional manipulation he was doing to me and the borderline tendencies he had, coupled with the alcoholism. But, I was in love (and the “highs” of the borderline roller coaster were so high, it was bliss for both of us) and I was forever willing to try to please him and help him get better and overcome his demons. I accorded his bad behavior to his illness.
    After his death, I was reeling. But I had to rise every day and care for a 5 month old infant. The fallout, in addition to the surprising turnout of the life insurance benefit, which left my child nothing, I was disregarded completely in the obituary (my child appears to be his estranged wife’s child with him). I was excluded in the actual condolences at the funeral and in the facebook support and condolences. It then got more ugly, I was accused of withholding his daughter from his mother (which was another blow to my heart, because it is such a cruel thing to do and to be accused of it – was horrible). The truth was – I was barely functioning. I lost my best friend. I feel like I failed him, and failed my daughter. And the exclusion added to the agony.
    It took me months to write a letter to his mother explaining my side, not telling her to Leave My Life, but instead to give a chance to move forward with her wish to see her grandchild. There was no response. I posted again, saying that it took me a long time to write the letter and that I am sure she needed time to respond. Her response to that: I didn’t feel that your letter needed a response – I felt it was a testimony of your feelings.
    Yes, yes it was. Exactly that. My feelings.
    I am now starting to stand back up, getting my life back together.
    I still (still! still?) yes, I still wish to resolve things with her. I realize that she is in a great deal of pain and I hope to never lose a child and experience the loss she will always feel. And the people pleaser in me wants to have that happy relationship with her, to foster that relationship between her and my daughter.
    She is not cruel, but when she posts that she never sees her granddaughter, the online hate spewed forth towards me is horrific and she says nothing to counter it. She therefore, is inciting the online hatred and garnering sympathy. People I have never met are saying that there is a special place in hell for me. I do not respond to any of this.
    So, I feel forever in conflict. As I often did with her son – putting my feelings to the side, having empathy for others and their situation, fostering relationships even though they were toxic to me, but felt that it was something I could do and cope with.
    I want to let her go.
    But, it still feels selfish to do so.
    There are moments when some (new) part of me wants to be very…. clear and direct and a bit hard and say – Nope, I do not and should not have this woman in my life, even if this means that my daughter will not know her grandmother. If she is toxic to me, then this affects my well-being, which affects my child’s life. And she could end up being toxic to my daughter, too. And I will feel like I could have avoided that scenario.
    And then, the more empathic person arises within me and wants to just let go of all negativity and believe in the good in people and open my heart again.
    And then I feel terribly naive. Again.
    So, yes, grief, complicated grief is a life-changer. Everything changes. There are no answers because as soon as you feel one way, other thoughts enter and changes your thinking. Decision making is a very scarce skill at this time, especially when it comes to feelings and how to deal with people who are causing additional pain. Loss after loss after loss of the loved one.

    2
  10. Kate  January 18, 2018 at 3:34 am Reply

    I lost my fiance to suicide in 2016. He was still married and his wife resumed her role as the now-very-grieving Mrs., even though she left him more than 2 years prior to his death and had a boyfriend for over a year. Our child was born 5 months prior to his death. So, he left 2 biological children and a step child behind. For his wife and child and step child, he left a very generous life insurance benefit, of which he often spoke of – that he could “at least leave his kids money”, which I would counter every time with “they would rather have a father than a trust fund”. He was suicidal for many months and tried four times, twice during my pregnancy, twice after the birth. I met his family, he met mine (we lived far away). I also met his estranged wife.
    I was not blind to the emotional manipulation he was doing to me and the borderline tendencies he had, coupled with the alcoholism. But, I was in love (and the “highs” of the borderline roller coaster were so high, it was bliss for both of us) and I was forever willing to try to please him and help him get better and overcome his demons. I accorded his bad behavior to his illness.
    After his death, I was reeling. But I had to rise every day and care for a 5 month old infant. The fallout, in addition to the surprising turnout of the life insurance benefit, which left my child nothing, I was disregarded completely in the obituary (my child appears to be his estranged wife’s child with him). I was excluded in the actual condolences at the funeral and in the facebook support and condolences. It then got more ugly, I was accused of withholding his daughter from his mother (which was another blow to my heart, because it is such a cruel thing to do and to be accused of it – was horrible). The truth was – I was barely functioning. I lost my best friend. I feel like I failed him, and failed my daughter. And the exclusion added to the agony.
    It took me months to write a letter to his mother explaining my side, not telling her to Leave My Life, but instead to give a chance to move forward with her wish to see her grandchild. There was no response. I posted again, saying that it took me a long time to write the letter and that I am sure she needed time to respond. Her response to that: I didn’t feel that your letter needed a response – I felt it was a testimony of your feelings.
    Yes, yes it was. Exactly that. My feelings.
    I am now starting to stand back up, getting my life back together.
    I still (still! still?) yes, I still wish to resolve things with her. I realize that she is in a great deal of pain and I hope to never lose a child and experience the loss she will always feel. And the people pleaser in me wants to have that happy relationship with her, to foster that relationship between her and my daughter.
    She is not cruel, but when she posts that she never sees her granddaughter, the online hate spewed forth towards me is horrific and she says nothing to counter it. She therefore, is inciting the online hatred and garnering sympathy. People I have never met are saying that there is a special place in hell for me. I do not respond to any of this.
    So, I feel forever in conflict. As I often did with her son – putting my feelings to the side, having empathy for others and their situation, fostering relationships even though they were toxic to me, but felt that it was something I could do and cope with.
    I want to let her go.
    But, it still feels selfish to do so.
    There are moments when some (new) part of me wants to be very…. clear and direct and a bit hard and say – Nope, I do not and should not have this woman in my life, even if this means that my daughter will not know her grandmother. If she is toxic to me, then this affects my well-being, which affects my child’s life. And she could end up being toxic to my daughter, too. And I will feel like I could have avoided that scenario.
    And then, the more empathic person arises within me and wants to just let go of all negativity and believe in the good in people and open my heart again.
    And then I feel terribly naive. Again.
    So, yes, grief, complicated grief is a life-changer. Everything changes. There are no answers because as soon as you feel one way, other thoughts enter and changes your thinking. Decision making is a very scarce skill at this time, especially when it comes to feelings and how to deal with people who are causing additional pain. Loss after loss after loss of the loved one.

  11. Sue  October 8, 2017 at 11:58 pm Reply

    So sorry Jen for your loss. Yes I have experienced the deep wound of something very similar in my. own life. Yes it might have been a terrible daunting task to get people in your family who have those kind of heart’s to see your side of the story. Maybe time will heal this insidious grief and your relationships. Don’t let family members shadow darkness in your life. Your the head, not the tail. God bless

  12. Sue  October 8, 2017 at 11:58 pm Reply

    So sorry Jen for your loss. Yes I have experienced the deep wound of something very similar in my. own life. Yes it might have been a terrible daunting task to get people in your family who have those kind of heart’s to see your side of the story. Maybe time will heal this insidious grief and your relationships. Don’t let family members shadow darkness in your life. Your the head, not the tail. God bless

  13. Vija  June 26, 2017 at 10:19 pm Reply

    Hi. It is sad for me to realise that trought analyzing myself why i act in specific way I realised that I’m this emotional manipulator. How i can change that? I feel I can lose people around me which are close to me. What to do? I don’t want to be that kind of person.

  14. Sarah Hoekstra  June 13, 2017 at 8:08 pm Reply

    Wow! Thanks so much for this article and good read. I have been pondering the last 14 months of my life since my uncles death…feeling so LOST. I keep thinking of all of the people I have cut out because of their abuse, inappropriate behavior, honestly disgusting despicable actions. This after such a devastating loss, man…talk about salt in a wound!

    It can feel very lonely, the guilt creeps in, the what if’s? Then reality and my memory of my “best friend” and what she did! Man! I’d never treat a stranger like that, let alone my best friend. When I didn’t appease and comply with the rest of my family and friends…they lashed out. If I didn’t do what they wanted…then like dominos everyone became clear to me.

    What I have seen cannot be erased. It helps to know and trust myself, and reminding myself of what they did only makes me realize I did the RIGHT thing.

    It’s just hard. Losing the life I was accustomed to. They do say ignorance is bliss for nothing! Now it’s my son and I. He’s angry. He isn’t adjusting well. It’s hard when it’s just the two of you and that’s it. I feel like I’m not doing anything right.

    Thanks for showing me I’m not alone.

    1
  15. Mary  May 6, 2017 at 2:16 pm Reply

    We lost our son to suicide 7/17/15 my best friend stayed very close to me in the immediate time after my son’s death. I began to recognize a pattern whenever I would cry or bring up my son’s name. My friend would respond with silence. I have always been the friend all of my friends come to to talk something over. I’m comfortable and honored by this role. I love all my friends. My best friend though wanted that person back, she wanted me o continue on with life as normal, be that fun loving friend to her again. I began to notice nonverbal cues between her and her husband whenever I mentioned my son’s name. She was actually trying to condition me to not bring up my son’s name or not show grief. I realized she needed to design our friendship to meet her needs. During the hardest time of my life this friend left me because I was causing her sorrow. My inner voice told me to let go, as much as it hurt, I realize she was never my friend, only meeting her needs. If the roles had been reversed, I would never have left her side. Grief is hell, everything is different when you have time to really examine it. I am healing by following my heart, and appreciating the beauty and kindness in this world and leaving the manipulators behind.

    1
  16. Sharon  April 26, 2017 at 7:24 am Reply

    This is a fabulous read! Thank you!! I lost my mom in November. Since then I have decided to split with my husband (I lost my dad 5 years ago, and I saw a pattern), and I also “broke up” with my best friend of 20 years. I’ve been there for her through literally everything. She started seeing a new guy right after my mom passed and has literally been MIA. She says it’s because she doesn’t know how to help me…I say I don’t have the energy for that. This article totally validates my feelings. Thank you!!!

  17. sandi  December 2, 2016 at 3:57 am Reply

    thank you so much for this! There were two I just cut out of my life (this week) and they immediately went to mutual friends about how cruel and ‘not mentally ok’ i am. This article is much needed and appreciated; thank you both for having this website.

    1
  18. Lillian A Slugocki  November 29, 2016 at 3:24 pm Reply

    This really resonated with me. I have a family member, a brother, and this has been the pattern for a long time with him. He gained control and power w my mother’s estate, my brother’s funeral two years ago, and now my youngest brother who just died. Right now it feels like psychological warfare. It’s really so demoralizing. But the article really helped, a lightbulb moment. Thank you.

    1
  19. Bea  March 3, 2016 at 1:40 pm Reply

    Like Vicki, my emotional manipulators have been my family, especially my mom and dad. It has happened all my adult life but the last straws for me were when my husband was in ICU and then after he passed. On top of losing my husband and soul-mate, I have had to distance myself from my family — self-preservation. I’m still reeling from the loss of my husband.

    • Kathy  February 28, 2018 at 11:38 am Reply

      Yes, self preservation. For me, it has been my sisters. Their behavior has been inexcusable and unforgivable, but I thought I was the only person to go through family drama during grief.

      1
  20. Laura  January 21, 2016 at 3:04 pm Reply

    I just lost my Mom in October 2015 and I have no support system. I am so glad I found this site. I really could use some help as this has hit me hard. I’m not much for podcasts but I am a writer. Beverly I totally understand about what a mess families can be when you need them the most.

  21. Beverly  January 7, 2016 at 3:37 am Reply

    I just lost my mom she was not only my wonderful mother but my best friend. I’ve had such a hard time with her loss. I have a sibling who has never cared or treated any of my Other siblings or myself with respect. He an his wife caused trouble from the time he married her. My dad died 5 yrs ago which was devastating he was my dad my best friend greatest man in my life, when he died I, nor my poor mother, or sister never got to grieve for the 2 of them causing turmoil for my mom an my sister an I very embarrassing. Now after my mom died they cal an want to be in my life only due to the Will, trying to put me against my sister so when you say people not being support I can refer to family! MONEY to some people make them do crazy things! If I could give what I get to bring my parents back my life would be heaven! I have to keep them out of my life or they’d mentally destroy me! MONEY an material things makes them evil !! I won’t answer if they call an moved so they don’t no where I live! I’m glad I found this site now I don’t feel so crazy!

  22. Bre  December 6, 2015 at 4:57 pm Reply

    Grief is a tricky thing, and people shouldn’t have to apologize for their actions or what they need to get through the grief, even if that means taking a break from certain people. I came across the topic of supporting grieving people on another website and it said, “No one will respond to the death of someone loved in exactly the same way. While it may be possible to talk about similar phases shared by grieving people, everyone is different and shaped by experiences in their own unique lives.” -https://www.wojciksfuneralchapel.com/ It’s an interesting and helpful way to look at grief, both as someone experiencing it or as someone who is being present for a grieving friend. There are definitely people I should have taken a break from after traumatic losses in the past who tried to tell me when it was time to “move on” before I was ready. Great article, thanks for sharing!

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  23. Vicki  December 3, 2015 at 6:03 pm Reply

    What are you supposed to do when this goes on inside your own family? How do you say ‘Lose my number’ to them?
    I had an issue with one family member that was so bad it’s never been resolved; I don’t call resolution pretending the problem never occurred. I call that a juvenile response to what occurred but there’s nothing I can do about it because I can only effect my own side (I can only change myself.)
    A death by homicide upsets even the nuclear family and my family (the one I was born into) has never been close anyway.
    I married a man whose family would stand outside before he went back home and each member would go through hugging and kissing him goodbye. When I first saw it I thought it was the oddest thing ever. I could in no way relate to it. My family’s never been that way.

  24. Jen  December 3, 2015 at 5:53 pm Reply

    Wow, thank you for this article! I wish it was around after my Dad died 2.5 years ago. I along with members of my family have been manipulated for years by someone in my family who very charming and demonstrative. This person started manipulating me about my Dad (and his stuff) after he died and I decided (with help from a counselor) to end the relationship. I tried to set boundaries with this person but they wouldn’t respect my wishes. As a result I’m estranged from my entire family. I was not going to discuss this issue with each family member and ‘campaign’ to get people on my side. So, I just walked away. Not only am I grieving for my Dad I’m also grieving for my entire family.

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