Children who sustained painful emotional wounds from their parents and others can carry that pain into adulthood. Their adult relationships bring up their original pain and cause a lot of inner conflict. Often it is easier to inflict that pain onto their partners rather than look inward for the real source of their hurt, anger, and resentment.
Read MoreFamily Dynamics
Emotional Abuse is a Key Sign of Toxic Shame: From Childhood Anguish to Adult Dysfunction
In my experience over the years as a psychotherapist, many individuals have come to me in despair over their troubled relationships. They tell me that their partners profess to love them and yet treat them with disdain, contempt and disregard.
Read MoreVictim Blaming: A Tactic for Avoiding Emotional Intimacy
“I can’t be wrong all the time,” laments a woman who needs counseling for her troubled relationship. After some probing, I discover that her partner is controlling and blaming is one of the tactics he uses against her. If she disagrees with him, he retaliates with anger or silent treatment that can last for days. Read More.
Read MoreHow Much Conflict is Normal in a Relationship? Twelve Signs You’re Tolerating Emotional Abuse
In healthy relationships, partners may argue, criticize each other, and use hostile language, but perpetrators know their behavior is hurtful and inappropriate. They feel remorse, have meaningful discussion about what happened, and make genuine efforts to improve. The conflict can make a relationship stronger if couples are able to resolve their issues respectfully and both Read More.
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