Who's Pulling Your Strings?: How to Break the Cycle of Manipulation and Regain Control of Your Life

A self-empowering plan for anyone who wants to stop being manipulated by others In Who's Pulling Your Strings?, Dr. Harriet B. Braiker,New York Times bestselling author of The Disease to Please, explains how depression, low self-esteem, chronic anger, and feelings of helplessness are often the result of being caught in relationships with manipulative people--including family members, friends, coworkers, and associates. More importantly, she arms readers with the knowledge and tools they need to understand and identify manipulative personalities and to free themselves from the bondage of relationships with them. Working from sound psychological theory and research, yet writing in a warm, accessible style, Braiker exposes the most common methods manipulative people use to control others--and makes clear that it takes at least two people to enable such a relationship to function. With the help of valuable self-assessment quizzes, action plans, and how-to exercises she empowers readers to: Recognize the signs of a manipulative relationship Spot manipulators and their typical modus operandi Assess their own vulnerability to manipulation Identify the 7 main "Head Games" manipulators play ...and much more, including informative case studies and highly effective Resistance Tactics to help those who identify themselves as victim-participants end the damaging cycle of control and manipulation--and clear the way for success and happiness. Orlando Sentinel, “She devotes her book to explaining how manipulators operate and, more important, what their victims can do to end these destructive relationships.” --Harry Wessel Chicago Tribune, “…offers practical suggestions for those who find themselves repeatedly yanked, right down to language they can use in a tight spot.” --Joanne Trestrail

Braiker, a clinical psychologist, talk-show regular, and best-selling author (The Disease To Please), succeeds at showing readers how to break free from manipulation, albeit without an inventive spin. Pointing out that everyone is subject to manipulation but that some people are more susceptible than others, she helps readers recognize manipulation and assess and reduce their own vulnerability and teaches resistance tactics to use when faced with manipulation. Her thesis is best stated this way: "The only effective way to change a manipulator is to make her tactics ineffective by changing yourself." Questionnaires and lists make the reading interactive, if not colorful. This book is an excellent companion to Helene Brenner's I Know I'm in Here Somewhere, which also speaks to "people pleasers." While Braiker does little to distinguish her book from similar self-help titles, this is still user-friendly and serves its purpose well. For large general and pop psych collections.-David Leonhardt, Chesterville, Ont. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.