The Dangerous Manipulation Tactic Narcissists Use To Control You In Relationships (That No One Talks About)
Are you experiencing countering?
5 Signs You’re Experiencing Countering by a Narcissist, A Dangerous Manipulation Method
There is a manipulation tactic in romantic relationships so covert among narcissistic people that it is rarely spoken about. Here are some signs you may be encountering this manipulation method, according to a researcher specializing in narcissism and psychopathy.
Have you heard about the abusive method known as countering? Countering is an abusive method where a toxic or narcissistic individual chronically opposes and expresses antagonism toward your thoughts, feelings, ideas, interests, opinions, perceptions, likes, dislikes, emotions and experiences you express either excitement or concern about. When narcissistic individuals use countering to manipulate you, they do so not because they genuinely feel a certain way or strongly about any particular subject but rather because they want you feeling perpetually off-kilter and on the defense. This leaves you exhausted and drained on a daily basis, so that you are less able to fight back against ongoing abuse and manipulation and less able to trust yourself.
When you are conditioned by frequent countering in an abusive relationship, you feel unable to express yourself. You are silenced, made to feel like you have to walk on eggshells just to have a right to exist, react, and respond genuinely to the world around you without this toxic individual nitpicking and criticizing your perspectives. They will also move the goal posts frequently, so their opinion changes based on what you feel and believe, just to oppose you. Essentially when narcissists use countering as an abuse tactic, they’re programming you to ask for permission to be yourself. Here are five insidious signs you may be experiencing countering.
1) You feel unsettled and disoriented around this person whenever you bring up happy news or an issue that matters to you.
Does the person you’re sharing good news with often respond with negging, minimizing remarks or covert put-downs that make you feel uncomfortable and deflated? According to research, both narcissistic and psychopathic traits are associated with “malicious envy.” This is the form of envy where the individual lashes out or sabotages the person they are envious of. Here’s how it looks when you’re in a relationship with a countering narcissist…