Control freak is someone who has to have absolute control over themselves and the actions of others.

In some cases, it is important to have someone who is a control freak at the helm. For instance, air-traffic controllers who have to make instant life-changing decisions, or scientists who are responsible for testing new drugs. In such circumstances, a control freak is the perfect person to have onboard.

However, in normal, everyday life, there is no need for control freaks. People that suffer from this condition are frequently over-anxious, worried, depressed and spend an inordinate amount of time on aspects of their life that they cannot control.

Because they are expending so much energy into controlling things they cannot, other areas of their life tend to be neglected.

There’s a big difference, however, with someone who is particular about certain things and a control freak, so how can you tell the difference?

Here are ten signs that you are dealing with a control freak:

1. They always correct people when they are wrong

Those who will not put up with mistakes in their own life are most likely to point out other’s errors. They have a need to correct other people in order for them to stop feeling so anxious. It could be a spelling or grammatical error, or a question of social etiquette. They know they are right and they have to let others know also.

2. They always criticize and judge other people

Judgmental people are more often than not control freaks because they simply cannot put up with errors or mistakes from other people. They come across as pious and sanctimonious to their friends and family but they cannot help themselves, it is like a reflex action.

3. They are leaders, not team players

When you join a team, you give up a certain amount of control. To the control freak, this is unacceptable. How will they exert their rules and controls over the rest of the team unless they lead it? They cannot dictate others’ behaviour unless they are leading or managing.

4. They take full credit for their success

There is absolutely no way a control freak will attribute their success to anyone other than themselves. It was them that succeeded, and they will say that it was because they took control over every aspect of the job, and didn’t allow anyone else to get involved.

5. They will never admit when they’re wrong

Control freaks will never admit if they have made a mistake, despite them coming down like a ton of bricks on anyone else who does. Their appearance is so fragile and has to be protected at all costs, so they will never admit it, even the smallest issue. To them, they can do no wrong.

6. They know what’s best and try and change you

Many control freaks think that they alone know what is best for everyone on the planet. They will try and convince you to change your behaviour to suit their agenda. They do this by manipulation, aggressive tactics or piling on the pressure.

7. They spend a lot of their time trying to prevent bad things occurring

Control freaks worry about the future and as such try to make sure that they are prepared for anything bad that is coming their way. Much of their time is wasted by concentrating on events that might or might not happen.

8. They never delegate tasks to others

A control freak will never give a task to someone else if they can do it themselves. They truly believe that they are the best person for the job, no matter what it is, they have to do it because if anyone else does it will just have to be redone by them.

9. They always have to have the last word

Control freaks cannot let anyone have the last say on a situation, they have to have the last word in order to finish off the discussion. If they do not have the final word, it is as if the situation is unresolved and left hanging, which is torture for a control freak. They need everything bundled up and tied up nicely.

10. They have no time for anyone who makes a mistake

There will never be a time when a control freak says to someone else – ‘Don’t worry, we all make mistakes’. For a control freak, this is the worst kind of person, as someone who makes continual errors is either lazy or just plain stupid.

How to deal with a control freak

Control freaks experience the world in a different way to other individuals. For them, if the world is not in perfect order, they feel anxious and out of control. You can help a control freak by getting them to focus on the emotions they feel when something is not perfect. Showing them that trying to ensure everything is correct and without error is a waste of time and emotions.

With much effort, a control freak can start to let go and not place such an importance on being perfect all the time. Instead of trying to control the environment around them, they can learn that it is much easier to control their feelings.

References:

  1. https://www.psychologytoday.com
  2. https://www.inc.com

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This Post Has One Comment

  1. Pimp Ho Pastor

    I would agree that a control freak is a detriment to themselves. But to say that a control freak should not control themselves makes no sense just because they have a problem controlling themselves. Doing so is like telling a obese person to stop eating in order to lose weight. Telling a obese person this would kill them. In this manner you would tell the obese person to eat right by dieting. I say this because telling a control freak to not control others, or to not always want things to be perfect is wrong and it is the same thing as telling a obese person not to eat, when what the obese person needs to do is to eat the right foods. A control freak or a control disorder is a person who simply does not control themselves or others the right way. They simply need to control themselves and others the right way. The way to control yourself and others is to try to do this perfect. The way to control other people, places, and things is to control yourself perfect as well. Example: You want to win at the casino right. You simple pay close attention in order for the perfect opportunity and you would win every time. This takes patients but you will absolutely win every time. People should never stop trying to be perfect or stop trying to control people. If so they will certainly become toxic to themselves and have toxic people as their friends. People are dominate by nature.That means they must control everything. The problem is that control freaks control themselves and others to their own injury by not being perfect. I could always convince a person of the truth. I win all debates by this manner. No one can ever refute their own logic truthfully. They may do so stubbornly but must deal with the consequences of lying to themself. PHP Freelance writer. Motivational & Inspirational Comedy Artist.

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