If you’re dating an insecure man, you may have noticed that he likes to play mind games. He’s always trying to test your limits and see how much control he has over you. It’s exhausting, and if you’re not careful, you could end up getting hurt emotionally. But why do insecure men do this? And more importantly, how can you deal with it? Keep reading to find out.
He’s always testing you
A man who constantly challenges your opinion can be a complex figure to try and understand. In many cases this insecure man is playing mind games with you – testing your boundaries to see how you’ll react. Driven by his own insecurities and fear of vulnerability, he’ll regularly challenge your opinion on various topics just to ensure that he’s still in control.
This can be an emotionally taxing experience when you’re stuck dealing with someone like this – exhausting even – as there generally isn’t much to be gained from engaging in these types of power struggles. As such, maintain your independence while also looking after yourself.
He’s always trying to one-up you
Have you ever encountered someone who always seems to be trying to one-up you in conversations? Someone who takes the brim of your accomplishments and tries to make their own a bit bigger and brighter? It can be really frustrating, but it’s important to realize that this lack of interest in listening is indicative of an insecure man. His attempts at mind games suggest he has a fear of not measuring up or wanting something that he doesn’t have. While it can be easy to get swept up in what feels like competition, it’s best to rise above it and keep the conversation balanced and focused on reciprocity.
He loves playing games with your emotions
Some insecure men will play manipulative mind games with those they love, pushing their partner’s emotional buttons to get a reaction and feeling satisfied in the process. These are deeply damaging behaviours and should never be tolerated.
Unfortunately, too often these insecure men don’t realise the damage they are doing by taking pleasure from someone else’s dismay – this can cause long-term harm to both physical and mental health. It’s important for anyone subjected to this kind of behaviour to identify it early on, stop it in its tracks, and seek help from professionals if needed.
He’s constantly putting you down
He might think he’s making himself feel more secure by putting you down, but in fact, he’s playing insecure mind games. Every time he criticizes your clothes, job, or hobbies he’s trying to make himself feel better by belittling you.
The truth is that no amount of bashing can fix his insecurities – the only way for him to start feeling better about himself is by confronting the root of his issues.
He loves making himself the center of attention
It can be a challenge to be in a relationship with someone who sees everything through their own lens and always puts themselves first. When he loves making himself the center of attention, insecure mind games become a regular part of the equation and it’s never clear whether one wrong word or action will set him off.
His need for validation requires all the focus to be on him and his needs, barely paying any attention or concern to yours. It takes solid communication, understanding and patience to navigate this type of dynamic, but if you find yourself in such a situation it’s important to remember that you deserve an equal partnership where both of your needs are taken into consideration.
He gaslights you
If your partner is engaging in strange mind games, such as gaslighting you, it could be a sign of his insecure character. Often times, insecure men play manipulative mind games by denying words and actions that are right in front of them just to make you feel like you’re going crazy. This can be incredibly disorientating, so it’s important to recognize the signs so that you can protect yourself from this type of emotional manipulation.
Final Words
If you’re in a relationship with a Narcissist, it’s important to be aware of the games they like to play. They will constantly test you, try to one-up you, put you down, and make themselves the center of attention. They also gaslight you by denying things they said or did, just to make you question your reality. It’s not a healthy or happy partnership, but if you’re stuck in one, hopefully understanding these games can help give you some peace of mind.
