Abusive Relationships: What if You Still Love Them?
November 20th, 2008A reader asked about how to move beyond an abusive relationship when you still feel love for that person.
This is actually a common feeling from people in abusive, or even just very controlling relationships. A prominent pastor’s wife in Atlanta filed for divorce when a relationship involving much emotional abuse evolved into a physical attack. She said that she still felt love toward him but decided to “take her love with her and leave” for her own welfare. A loved one of ours, after having decided some time ago to leave an abusive relationship is now feeling that he loves the other person in spite of the fact that his health, career, and family life have all been destroyed by the other person.
An initial step is to realize the difference between love and concern.
A friend in a bad relationship once had another friend tell him, “You care about her well-being, but it doesn’t sound like you really love her.” There is a major difference between love and concern. It is unlikely that you will feel completely devoid of concern over the person’s well being if you have shared a major part of your life or major events in your life with him or her. However, concern over his or her well being is not proof of the existence of a loving relationship.
People in emotionally or physically abusive situations often suffer from Stockholm syndrome, not just people in hostage situations.
In Stockholm Syndrome, the person in an abusive or controlling situation begins to experience a psychological response of defending the “captor” and showing loyalty to the abuser. (1) Immerse Yourself in the Full Healing Contemplation Here »
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Tags: boundaries, boundary violations, compliant personality, dreams, emotional baggage, emotional healing, emotional health, emotional pain, relationships, restoration, self esteem, self worth, wholeness
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