There are types of abuse that proliferate the questionable abuses deployed by the experienced psychopath. They are not easy to detect and even if reviewed by professionals, may not be correctly interpreted. I call it sleight of hand abuse, among trauma professionals, these are referred to as covert abuse. Covert abuse refers to a form of abuse that is subtle, indirect, and manipulative.
The following are some of the types of covert abuse that a psychopath victim could be subjected to:
Gaslighting
This involves manipulating the victim’s perception of reality, causing them to question their sanity and memory. The psychopath may deny previous conversations or events, blame the victim for things they didn’t do, or use other tactics to make the victim feel like they are going crazy.
Stonewalling
This involves the abuser refusing to communicate with the victim or giving them the silent treatment, leaving the victim feeling ignored and insignificant.
Triangulation
This is when the abuser involves a third party in their interactions with the victim, creating a sense of competition, jealousy, and insecurity.
Projection
This occurs when the abuser blames their negative traits, thoughts, and behaviors on the victim, making them feel guilty and responsible.
Neglect
This refers to the abuser ignoring the needs, feelings, and well-being of the victim, leading to feelings of worthlessness and abandonment.
Intimidation
This is when the abuser threatens the victim with physical, emotional, or financial harm, making them feel scared and powerless.
Undermining
This involves the abuser sabotaging the victim’s self-esteem, confidence, and accomplishments, making them feel incompetent and inferior.
Manipulation
This is when the abuser uses charm, flattery, or deception to influence the victim’s thoughts, feelings, and decisions, leading to a loss of autonomy and control.
Isolation
This refers to the abuser cutting off the victim from their social support network, leaving them feeling alone and vulnerable.
Mind Games
The psychopath may use mind games, such as playing on the victim’s fears or insecurities, to control their behavior and emotions.
Coercion
This is when the abuser uses force, threats, or persuasion to make the victim do something against their will, violating their boundaries and autonomy.
Love Bombing
Psychopaths may use love bombing to manipulate their victims into thinking they are in a loving and caring relationship. This may involve grand gestures, such as surprise trips, gifts, or public displays of affection, to create a false sense of intimacy and trust.
Street Theater
Psychopaths may stage elaborate scenarios to set up or confuse their victims. These scenarios are known as street plays or street theater and are used to manipulate, deceive, or harm the victim, often populated with witnesses to confirm the victim’s unstable state.
Financial Abuse/Scams
The psychopath may control the victim’s finances, making it harder for the victim to leave or seek help. Psychopaths may also use elaborate street plays to scam their victims out of money. For example, they may pose as a bank or financial institution and ask the victim to provide personal information or transfer money to a fake account.
Covert surveillance
Psychopaths may use street plays to monitor and control their victims. For example, they may set up fake meetings or events to track the victim’s movements or use hidden cameras or listening devices to gather information.
Stalking
Psychopaths may use street plays to stalk their victims. For example, they may stage fake encounters or coincidences to create the illusion that they are always nearby, watching the victim.
Drug Abuse or Poisoning
Psychopaths may use drugs or alcohol to control their victims, but usually, they use more subtle tactics such as gaslighting or manipulation to achieve their goals. Some of the most extreme psychopaths may control and manipulate prescription drugs, and illicit drugs, or slowly poison them over time.
Psychopaths with their intentions set on eliminating the victim can easily find the various untraceable drugs and poisons that cause death using an ordinary search engine, and they are smart enough not to use their own devices to conduct these searches. So, if you are not feeling well, see your doctor to get a
Predatory psychopaths can use a variety of tactics to control their victims, and deteriorate their victims’ sense of sanity. To assert their unreliability if they might attempt to betray the psychopath.
It can be difficult to identify or document the harm caused by psychopaths, as many of their tactics are psychological and not physical. Victims may suffer from depression, anxiety, PTSD, or other mental health conditions as a result of the abuse, but these conditions may not be immediately apparent or easily attributed to the abuse.
Additionally, psychopaths are often skilled at hiding their abusive behavior and may manipulate others to believe they are the victim. It’s essential to seek professional help from a therapist or counselor who is trained in dealing with abuse and trauma to get the support you need.