How to Live With a Controlling Person

Living with a controlling person can be difficult. Often, you find yourself taking a step back in order to allow her to get her own way. If you have committed to staying with the person, you'll have to determine tactics to keep yourself sane.

Instructions

1. Read up on controlling personalities. Pick up the book "Controlling People," by Patricia Evans. If you better understand the problem, you can learn how to deal with living with the person.

2. Keep yourself calm. Many people develop anxiety when living with a controlling person. If you feel yourself getting upset about a situation where he's acting controlling, walk away until you can speak to the individual calmly.

3. Make an effort to keep her up-to-date on things. Controlling people hate to feel in the dark and this can bring out their worse tendencies. Always include her on plans you made or changes that you expect to happen.

4. Switch roles. To make a controlling person understand your situation better, ask him to take over your duties for a day. As an example, if your husband attempts to control the way you mow the lawn and trim the hedges, allow him to perform the tasks instead.

5. Find out the root of the problem. Controlling people typically suffer from lack of self esteem. In order to feel better about themselves, they try to control the people and situations surrounding them. Determine if the person needs therapy in order to help resolve her issues.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't always back down. If you live with a controlling person, you may start to feel bogged down by your submissive role. Stand up for yourself in order to stabilize the relationship.

• Don't continue to live with the person if it takes a toll on your physical or mental health. If the controlling behavior turns abusive, leave the situation immediately.