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How to detect manipulation

Updated Mar 28 2025

If you feel muddled, scrambled, disoriented, that’s a sign of psychological manipulation/distortion, or often downright abuse. If you feel clarity, even if it’s challenging and uncomfortable, you’re likely on to something true.

Note: to me this is different than feeling uncertain. Uncertainty is an honest and even necessary state, open to inquiry and reflection. Disoriented/scrambled is more of a dishonest state, where you don’t even have enough clarity to know which way is up, much less start seeking the truth.

But being stuck is the first step. Awareness of being stuck is the first huge step. Noticing the block means you’re ready to do the work.