The Positivity Xperience

How Fake Helplessness Controls You (And the Psychology Behind It)


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Some people don't manipulate through anger — they manipulate through weakness.

In this episode of The Positivity Xperience, Lori Wheeler breaks down the psychology, neuroscience, and emotional patterns behind feigned vulnerability and feigned helplessness — two of the most subtle and powerful forms of manipulation.

You'll learn: • How people fake fragility to gain control • The psychology behind "playing helpless" • How learned helplessness and attachment wounds feed manipulation • The dopamine reward loop that keeps YOU rescuing them • Why your empathy makes you the perfect target • How to break the cycle without guilt or fear

Lori exposes how emotional collapse, tears, helplessness, victimhood, and "I can't" statements are often used as covert power plays — especially when you try to hold boundaries.

This episode blends neuroscience, attachment theory, and real-world examples to help you: • stop falling for guilt-based manipulation • stop absorbing responsibility that isn't yours • stay grounded when someone acts fragile • keep your boundaries even when they escalate

If you've ever felt drained, guilty, or confused after dealing with someone who "just can't do things," this episode will finally give you clarity — and tools to take your power back.

🎧 Listen on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube

💜 Patreon: Access the full worksheet and extended content at www.patreon.com/thepositivityxperience

🌐 Website: www.thepositivityxperience.com

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The Positivity XperienceBy Lori Wheeler

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