guilttripper

A guilttripper is a term used to describe a person who manipulates others by inducing feelings of guilt. This manipulation often involves making the other person feel responsible for the guilttripper's unhappiness, problems, or misfortunes. The guilttripper may use passive-aggressive tactics, exaggerated sighs, or explicit statements of disappointment to achieve their goal. The intention is to control the behavior of the other person by making them feel obligated or ashamed.

This behavior can manifest in various relationships, including romantic partnerships, family dynamics, and friendships. For example, a parent might guilttrip a child by saying things like, "After all I've done for you, you can't even do this one small thing for me?" In a romantic relationship, one partner might complain about their suffering and imply that the other person is causing it, even if it's not true. The goal is to elicit a desired action or compliance from the target through emotional leverage.

Recognizing guilttripping is important for maintaining healthy boundaries. It often involves a pattern of behavior where one person consistently uses guilt to get their way. While expressing one's feelings is normal, persistent and manipulative use of guilt is a form of emotional manipulation. Responding to guilttripping often involves acknowledging the other person's feelings without accepting undue responsibility or allowing oneself to be coerced into actions against one's will.