How to Take Away a Control Freak's Power

Do you have a control freak in your life? Are you tired of being controlled by their erratic and controlling behaviors? Here's how to put a control freak in check, and take back your life.

Things You'll Need

• a control freak
• persistence

Instructions

1. Be able to recognize the signs of a control freak. Often, controlling behavior will parallel abusive behavior. A control freak can be a casual acquaintance, such as a co-worker (we've all experienced one of those!) or it can be someone close to you. Control freaks can often lie at the root of a dysfunctional family. If you begin to feel like you can't speak or breathe without permission, you have a control freak on your hands, and you need to do something about it, and fast.

2. When they critisize you, do not respond. Do not provide them with any type of reaction, including emotional displays, arguments or disagreement. This fighting is what a control freak lives for, and the battle is their dessert. Don't give it to them. Refuse to fight, refuse the battle. You're not losing, you're simply not participating.

3. Tell them as little as possible, the less information they know about you, the better, because they will be unable to control what you say and do. Vary your behaviors, keep them guessing, and before long, they won't have a hold of you any longer. Be careful, being around these types of people can take a toll on your own mental health, and you will have to make a conscious effort to ensure that you remain mentally healthy and strong. Depression and anxiety can present itself over time and may require professional treatment.

4. Obtaining some type of counseling or therapeutic intervention for yourself is always a good idea, so that you are able to assess any damage that might have been caused during your relationship with the control freak. An even better case scenario would be for you to assist the control freak in obtaining some therapy or treatment for themselves, so that they can begin to live a normal healthy existence without controlling other people.

Tips & Warnings

• If you feel that you are in danger, leave your control freak before things get worse or you get injured.

• Often, part of taking back your life and disabling the control freak will make them angry and unpredictable. Use caution.