You probably know at least one controlling person in your life, and how hard it is to deal with them. Lucky you! And while we typically write these individuals off as “control freaks”, it doesn’t really help you or the freak in question, does it? But if you know how to spot a control freak, you can understand them better, and maybe even cope with them better, too.
Seth Meyers, Psy.D., clinical psychologist at the L.A. County Department of Mental Health, has come up with five behaviors, common to control freaks, along with the reason behind this behavior. Let’s get started.
Always correcting people
People who need constant control tend to correct people for everything and anything. This goes for facts, spelling, manners, behavior and so much more. Why do they do this? Because they usually think that they’re right.
Never admitting when they’re wrong
Control freaks don’t like to admit they’re wrong, no matter how big or small the issue is. That’s because they’re afraid people will use their mistake as fuel against them. Or worse, they fear that they’ll be perceived as incapable.
Needing to have the last word
With high-control individuals, there’s very little discussion, negotiating or compromise. It’s their way or the high way, because as they see it, they’re more logical and intelligent than the person(s) they’re dealing with.
Judgmental behavior
Meyers says that “some of the most judgmental individuals you will ever meet are men and women with a high need for control.” That’s because they have an answer for every situation and scenario, and yes, their solution is always right.
