Does it feel like you’re always giving and one of your friends is always taking? Or does it seem like your friend never makes time for you—but always expects you to be there for her? Your pal might be playing you for a sucker. How did you fall victim to a one-sided friendship?

“People who have a poor self image and suffer from insecurity get a false sense of power and control in their lives by taking advantage of their friends and family,” says Michael Salamon, Ph.D., a licensed psychologist and a Fellow of the American Psychological Association.

Other people manipulate their friends because they’re simply narcissists. “They truly believe that they know better than anyone else and the perspectives that other people have are irrelevant,” explains Dr. Salamon.

But don’t blame yourself for your friend’s bad behavior. It’s easy to fall victim to manipulators—especially when they trick you into feeling sorry for them or make you believe that they’re somehow smarter than you. Wonder whether your friend is actually more like your frenemy? Read on for seven hallmarks of a friend who is manipulating you.

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|October 14, 2015