Mental fraud in relationships is a form of psychological manipulation that can take various forms.

It is characterized by deceit, dishonesty and deceitfulness where one party in the relationship tries to control, deceive or manipulate the other party in order to gain an advantage. Mental fraud can manifest in different ways and at different times in relationships, making it difficult to identify and address.

In this article, we will explore the different ways mental fraud can manifest in relationships and provide some tips on how to identify and put an end to it.

Mental fraud in the beginning of a relationship

At the beginning of a relationship, mental fraud can manifest in the form of love bombing. Love bombing is a tactic used by individuals to make their partners feel extremely special, loved and appreciated in order to manipulate them.

They may compliment their partners excessively, shower them with gifts and praise them constantly. Through this, they create an environment where their partner feels they can’t live without them. A party that has fallen in love bombing will ignore red flags, ignore their intuition, and sense of self-worth.

They become incredibly vulnerable to be taken in and manipulated by their partner.

The individuals engaged in love bombing do not have their partners’ best interests at heart. Instead, it is a psychological tactic designed to entrap, control and influence.

They hope the sacrifice they make in terms of time or energy that they put into building the relationship will pay off in the future when they start to control the relationship.

Mental fraud in a long-term relationship

In a long-term relationship, mental fraud can manifest in different ways. For example, one partner may try to manipulate or deceive the other partner to do things their way.

Whether it is financial, career, or family issues: one partner can manipulate the other partner to get what they want. It may not be noticeable, but will slowly eat away at the relationship. There is an imbalance of power and control which will affect communication, intimacy, trustworthiness, and feelings of autonomy and support.

In some relationships, mental fraud can lead to the existence of a codependent relationship. Codependent relationships are sometimes found in couples who feel that they can’t live without the other individual.

Often, one partner is the strong one, while the other partner is the weak one. The stronger partner may feel the need to protect and control the weaker partner by making decisions for them or shaming them.

This makes the weaker party feel inadequate or helpless and, as a result, can lead them to rely solely on their dominant partner for support, validation, and self-worth.

How to identify mental fraud in relationships

Identifying mental fraud is not always easy. It can take on different forms and be subtle or even unnoticed. However, there are some warning signs that could indicate that mental fraud is happening in a relationship, such as:.

A partner constantly telling you what you should or shouldn’t do
A partner demanding that you do things their way without taking your feelings or thoughts into account
A partner making you feel guilty or ashamed when you try to assert yourself
A partner constantly lying, making excuses or breaking promises
A partner attempting to take control of the relationship, isolating you from friends or family

How to put an end to mental fraud in relationships

If you suspect that mental fraud is happening in your relationship, it’s important that you take action to address it.

Communication is a key part of any relationship, and addressing the issue directly may help a partner recognize the patterns associated with their actions. Sometimes, however, professional help may be required to break the cycle of mental fraud and rebuild damaged trust.

You can set boundaries in the relationship and communicate those boundaries clearly to your partner. Break the mold of dependance your partner has been nurturing on your relationship.

Limit your exposure to gaslighting and remember you have the power to put an end to manipulation by walking out of the pattern.

In conclusion

Mental fraud is a toxic pattern in any relationship and can manifest in different ways and at different times. It can erode trust, communication, and autonomy within a partnership.

However, by being aware of the warning signs, communicating openly, and seeking support, it is possible to break the cycle of mental fraud in relationships and create a healthier, more positive dynamic between partners.