Your best friend talks over you, both in private and in public. Your best friend never does things your way or agrees to doing the things you like doing. He or she has no idea of what compromise consists of. You might occasionally feel suffocated, as your best friend tells you what you will do, what to wear, who to see and not see, where to go, etc. If you do anything differently, she or he gets angry or puts on a sulk. Your friend expects a great deal from you but fails to do much or even anything for you. Your friend fails to stick up for you when it matters but is more than ready to criticize you in front of others.
Tell your friend that this is not the way friends treat each other and describe to her or him what you need to change. Show your friend that you are upset. In the right context, don’t be afraid to raise your voice a little bit. If you do want to continue being her or his friend, tell your friend gently enough to help her or him understand and not be too mad or feel threatened.
Show or explain to your friend what she or he doing and tell her or him how to fix it. For example, when your friend tells you to come with her or him to the park next Tuesday, explain that you don’t want to be controlled. To fix it, expect your friend to ask you whether or not you want to go somewhere or do something rather than simply telling you.
Avoid communicating. If you have a best friend who is a friend of the controller, or you and the controller are friends for long, then take a break. Go to relatives’ house for holiday stays; forget the controller’s existence by distracting yourself. If she frequently calls/texts you, switch off your phone or change your SIM.
