Warning Signs You Are Married To A Control Freak
And Know When It’s Time to Get Out!
Brian M. Murray, MS, IMH
Sometimes when getting married, a person may unknowingly be tying
the knot with some kind of controlling manipulator. So what does a controlling
person look like?
Controlling people often manipulate others, seeking some
kind of personal gain in return. They manipulate their spouse (or if dating,
their significant other) into doing whatever it is they want. They do not
invest time nurturing the marriage/relationship; instead they make everything
all about them.
This type of person often expects others to serve them or to
provide something for them. This type of behavior may even extend outside the
marriage. In general, they very seldom show empathy or sympathetic behavior
toward their spouse or others. They usually come across as very charming at
first - that is until they do not get their way. Once that happens, the
controlling power tactics show up. The superficial charm didn’t work so now
force and coercion are used instead.
The manipulation is a system of power and domination tactics
used to control the marriage. There are often common areas that a controlling
person will use for this purpose. The following is a list and an explanation of
how some of these common tactics are used in a relationship for personal gain
and control.
1.
Threatening
behavior and intimidation. Examples of this behavior include the use of
hard looks (staring) and body postures, yelling, throwing and smashing objects,
showing weapons, punching walls and the destruction of other property. They threaten
to hurt other people the spouse cares about and at times may threaten to kill
themselves to get others to respond to their demands.
2.
Verbal
and Emotional Abuse. This includes name calling, constant criticism,
correcting their comments, being humiliated or put down in front of others,
insulting the spouse’s heritage and family, silent treatment and guilt trips.
3.
Extreme
jealousy. The manipulator attempts to control who their spouse hangs out
with and keeps constant tabs on them wherever they go. Sometimes this includes
calling and texting their phone. At work they may email them or call constantly
and demand their attention. The manipulator doesn’t want any other person in
the lives of their partner for the basic reason that they are jealous of others
getting attention. Remember, to the manipulator it’s all about them.
4.
Using the
children. This may include putting pressure to get pregnant, using the
children to force the spouse to stay home, threatening to call the state for
abuse or neglect, charming the children with gifts to put a negative spin on
the other parent (known as “demonizing”, common in divorces).
5.
Money.
This includes putting the spouse on a tight budget, demanding information about
how every dollar was spent, expecting favors in return for spending money on
them, playing king or queen with the checkbook. Playing king or queen is about
spending money on themselves but refusing to allow their partner equal privilege.
This also includes belittling the other by telling them they are not worthy of
what they want to spend the money on, or they don’t deserve it.
One thing to remember is that a person who is manipulative
in a relationship is usually doing these things based on a deep-rooted
irrational fear. Often this root is in the belief that if they are not in
control then others will gain power over them. Internally, for the manipulator,
it’s a power struggle and when this power gets threatened, they feel threatened
personally. This perception, when it is taken to an extreme, can lead to
physical abuse, especially when the person being manipulated has had enough and
attempts to draw a boundary to make it stop.
Know When It’s Time
To Get Out
Any time a marriage or relationship becomes physically
abusive or overwhelmingly emotionally abusive, it is time to get out. The
emotional abuse, manipulation, power and control tactics are all warning signs
that something is amiss. Common reasons people don’t leave a relationship or
marriage is because they feel helpless or powerless or think that the
manipulator will actually carry out the threats and that will somehow make it
their fault.
Getting out requires a safety plan. There are many resources
available online or in the community that outline what is needed to create a safety plan. Confronting a power
controlling person can and often makes the situation worse. Getting out safely
is the main idea; keep it covert. Stealth is the name of the game when trying
to get away from this type of person.
If you or someone you know are in a marriage or relationship
and have been manipulated in some way to the point of being afraid to reach out
for help, know that help is available. In the Orlando Metro area, a great
resource to begin is an organization provided by Northland Church called
Resource Point. Follow this link for additional information or call the numbers
below.
Hotlines and Helplines
- National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
- Florida hotline: 1-800-621-4202 (TTY)
