While you may not notice any signs that you’re being manipulated at first, there are four stages in which this process consists of:
Gaining trust - The first phase consists of the manipulative person flattering you with compliments to make you like them.
Isolation - Once they’ve gained your trust, they start to slowly distance you from your close ones, so you become more vulnerable.
Gaslighting - They’ll start making you doubt your actions and thoughts so they have more control over you.
Violence or fear - The last stage of manipulation is gaining complete control over you by using fear and violence as a last measure.