“You’re overreacting,” Jake told Amanda. “It’s no big deal.” Amanda looked at Jake with disbelief. He said he planned to go on a fishing trip with his male friends over the weekend. But he neglected to tell her that his ex-girlfriend would be there. When Amanda found out, she expressed her hurt feelings. Over the Read More.
Read MoreRelationships
Childhood Pain Can Lead to Adult Relationship Abuse
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 MoreThe Real Reasons for Emotional Abuse and What to Do About It
Belinda didn’t know that Jake had a serious psychological disorder when they got married 10 years ago. She saw him as a normal man with the ability to love her. She thought they would be happy together.
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 MoreIs it a Love Spat or Emotional Abuse?
It takes maturity, self-reflection, and mental discipline to be in a healthy relationship. These traits are useful when conflicting needs, opinions, and expectations cause disharmony between intimate partners.
Couples who possess these qualities can usually resolve disagreements with acceptance, understanding and compromise. There is an equitable balance of power and neither partner is a victim. When there are hurt feelings, there is little residual damage.
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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