07/08/2022
When LOVE is Modelled to us as:
1) abuse (emotional and/or physical abuse is an acceptable/ allowed part of love (eg child is exposed to parents abusing each other )
2) betrayal -outright lying , sharing our confidential information, withholding information , “white” lies normalised as being part of a loving relationship (eg a parent shares information the child asked them to keep secret with someone else)
3)caretaking - always feeling responsible for the other’s needs/emotions/wellbeing (eg don’t cry/ make a noise/ go out as you’ll put mom in a bad mood)
4)transactional - love expressed through buying things, doing -if you do this: then you love me approach (eg dad does not have time to spend so he keeps buying gifts for the child as compensation)
-We are likely to be emotionally dysregulated and develop depression, anxiety, addiction to substances, people, or other forms of escapism or avoidant/anxious/ambivalent attachment styles. Therapy can help us identify / become aware of these unhealthy coping /defence mechanisms and consequently bring about change.