Controlling People: How to Recognize, Understand, and Deal With People Who Try to Control You

Patricia Evans

Feb 2003 · Sold by Simon and Schuster

About this ebook

Learn how to “break the spell” of control with this bestseller hailed by Oprah Winfrey. Controlling People reveals the thought processes of those who try to control others and provides a “spell-breaking” mind-set for those who suffer this insidious manipulation.

Does this sound like someone you know?

*Always needs to be right
*Tells you who you are and what you think
*Implies that you’re wrong or inadequate when you don’t agree
*Is threatened by people who are “different”
*Feels attacked when questioned
*Doesn’t seem to really hear or see you

If any of the above traits sounds familiar, help is on the way! In Controlling People, bestselling author Patricia Evans, tackles the “controlling personality,” and reveals how and why these people try to run other people’s lives. She also explains the compulsion that makes them continue this behavior—even as they alienate others and often lose those they love.

Controlling People helps you unravel the senseless behavior that plagues both the controller and the victim. Can the pattern or spell be broken? YES, says the author.

By understanding the compelling force involved, you can be a catalyst for change and actually become a spell-breaker. Once the spell is broken and the controller sees others as they really are, a genuine connection can be forged and healing can occur.

Should you ever find yourself in the thrall of someone close to you, Controlling People is here to give you the wisdom, power, and comfort you need to be a stronger, happier, and more independent person.

Ratings and reviews

The book's beginning does a great job of describing an unfortunate pattern of inter-personal behavior, while objectively exploring what may be troubling the people who exhibit this pattern. The model is clear and appealing. I had trouble following the rest of the book. I think that the stream-of-consciousness style may be appealing to other readers, while I prefer having clearly organized ideas and supporting arguments. At the same time, the perspectives captured by the author were enticing enough to work through the pages. In other words, I think that the book is still worth reading, despite the difficulties.

Controlling People and Religion" is a compelling exploration of two powerful forces in our lives. It's a book that will leave you pondering the intricate relationship between control and religion and their impact on society and individuals.

Only if you've lived with this behavior will you be able to relate and understand the depth of the answers found in this book. Answers I never found no matter how much I tried to reason with the controller and reason in myself what was the cause of all the issues, this book is the answer to what seems has no answer. Don't believe bad review I believe they simply haven't experienced control to this degree.

About the author

Patricia Evans is the bestselling author of four books, including The Verbally Abusive Relationship, Verbal Abuse Survivors Speak Out, Controlling People, and The Verbally Abusive Man: Can He Change? A highly acclaimed interpersonal communications specialist, public speaker, and consultant, Evans has appeared on Oprah, CNN, CBS News, Fox News, She Knows, and on numerous national radio programs. Her work has been featured in Shape, Newsweek, and O, The Oprah Magazine. Evans lives in the San Francisco Bay Area and can be reached via her website at VerbalAbuse.com.