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7<title>Articles on difficult intimate relationships</title>
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182</ul></div></nav></div></header><div class="big-leader"><div class="wrap"><div class="excerpt"><h1 class="entry-title">Blog</h1>
183<p>Here are some of my most popular articles on a variety of topics related to troubling relationship issues. I continue to add new articles. You can also find more articles on my Psychology Today blog, <a href="https://www.psych
183ologytoday.com/us/blog/charm-harm" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><i>From Charm to Harm</i></a>.</p>
184<p>I hope my blog will be helpful to you in some way. If you’re looking for more information, I cover many more topics on my <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCJ0uWFn4UYA8vOPRWALlBA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">YouTube channel</a>.</p>
185</div></div><noscript><div class="backstretch no-js"><img width="1920" height="1080" src="https://amylewisbear.com/wp2024/wp-content/uploads/Amy-Lewis-Bear-blog.jpg.webp" class="big-leader__image post-image" alt="Blog" aria-hidden="true" decoding="async" fetchpriority="high" srcset="https://amylewisbear.com/wp2024/wp-content/uploads/Amy-Lewis-Bear-blog.jpg.webp 1920w, https://amylewisbear.com/wp2024/wp-content/uploads/Amy-Lewis-Bear-blog-300x169.jpg.webp 300w, https://amylewisbear.com/wp2024/wp-content/uploads/Amy-Lewis-Bear-blog-1024x576.jpg.webp 1024w, https://amylewisbear.com/wp2024/wp-content/uploads/Amy-Lewis-Bear-blog-768x432.jpg.webp 768w, https://amylewisbear.com/wp2024/wp-content/uploads/Amy-Lewis-Bear-blog-1536x864.jpg.webp 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></div></noscript></div><div class="site-inner"><div class="content-sidebar-wrap"><main class="content" id="genesis-content"><article class="post-724 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail category-couples-counseling category-emotional-abuse category-relationships entry" aria-label="Recognizing the Effects of a Controlling Relationship" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/CreativeWork"><header class="entry-header"><h2 class="entry-title" itemprop="headline"><a class="entry-title-link" rel="bookmark" href="https://amylewisbear.com/recognizing-the-effects-of-a-controlling-relationship/">Recognizing the Effects of a Controlling Relationship</a></h2>
186</header><div class="entry-content" itemprop="text"><a class="entry-image-link" href="https://amylewisbear.com/recognizing-the-effects-of-a-controlling-relationship/" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"><img width="768" height="432" src="https://amylewisbear.com/wp2024/wp-content/uploads/twisted-pose-768x432.jpg.webp" class="aligncenter post-image entry-image" alt="Twisted pose" itemprop="image" decoding="async" srcset="https://amylewisbear.com/wp2024/wp-content/uploads/twisted-pose-768x432.jpg.webp 768w, https://amylewisbear.com/wp2024/wp-content/uploads/twisted-pose-300x169.jpg.webp 300w, https://amylewisbear.com/wp2024/wp-content/uploads/twisted-pose-1024x576.jpg.webp 1024w, https://amylewisbear.com/wp2024/wp-content/uploads/twisted-pose.jpg.webp 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></a><p>Controlling behaviors are often hard to distinguish from the normal experience of being in a relationship. If you suspect your partner is controlling, look for clues in how your partner’s behavior &#x02026; <a href="https://amylewisbear.com/recognizing-the-effects-of-a-controlling-relationship/" class="more-link">[Read more...] <span class="screen-reader-text">about Recognizing the Effects of a Controlling Relationship</span></a></p></div><footer class="entry-footer"><p class="entry-meta"><span class="entry-categories">Filed Under: <a href="https://amylewisbear.com/category/couples-counseling/" rel="category tag">Couples Counseling</a>, <a href="https://amylewisbear.com/category/emotional-abuse/" rel="category tag">Emotional Abuse</a>, <a href="https://amylewisbear.com/category/relationships/" rel="category tag">Relationships</a></span></p></footer></article><article class="post-717 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail category-couples-counseling category-emotional-abuse category-family-dynamics category-relationships tag-controlling-behavior tag-couples-counseling tag-emotional-abuse tag-relationships entry" aria-label="Recognizing the Pain of Emotional Invalidation" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/CreativeWork"><header class="entry-header"><h2 class="entry-title" itemprop="headline"><a class="entry-title-link" rel="bookmark" href="https://amylewisbear.com/recognizing-the-pain-of-emotional-invalidation/">Recognizing the Pain of Emotional Invalidation</a></h2>
187</header><div class="entry-content" itemprop="text"><a class="entry-image-link" href="https://amylewisbear.com/recognizing-the-pain-of-emotional-invalidation/" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"><img width="768" height="343" src="https://amylewisbear.com/wp2024/wp-content/uploads/depressed-woman-2-768x343.jpg.webp" class="aligncenter post-image entry-image" alt="depressed woman" itemprop="image" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://amylewisbear.com/wp2024/wp-content/uploads/depressed-woman-2-768x343.jpg.webp 768w, https://amylewisbear.com/wp2024/wp-content/uploads/depressed-woman-2-300x134.jpg.webp 300w, https://amylewisbear.com/wp2024/wp-content/uploads/depressed-woman-2-1024x45
1877.jpg.webp 1024w, https://amylewisbear.com/wp2024/wp-content/uploads/depressed-woman-2.jpg.webp 1120w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></a><p>“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 &#x02026; <a href="https://amylewisbear.com/recognizing-the-pain-of-emotional-invalidation/" class="more-link">[Read more...] <span class="screen-reader-text">about Recognizing the Pain of Emotional Invalidation</span></a></p></div><footer class="entry-footer"><p class="entry-meta"><span class="entry-categories">Filed Under: <a href="https://amylewisbear.com/category/couples-counseling/" rel="category tag">Couples Counseling</a>, <a href="https://amylewisbear.com/category/emotional-abuse/" rel="category tag">Emotional Abuse</a>, <a href="https://amylewisbear.com/category/family-dynamics/" rel="category tag">Family Dynamics</a>, <a href="https://amylewisbear.com/category/relationships/" rel="category tag">Relationships</a></span></p></footer></article><article class="post-642 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail category-emotional-abuse category-family-dynamics category-relationships entry" aria-label="Childhood Pain Can Lead to Adult Relationship Abuse" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/CreativeWork"><header class="entry-header"><h2 class="entry-title" itemprop="headline"><a class="entry-title-link" rel="bookmark" href="https://amylewisbear.com/childhood-pain-can-lead-to-adult-relationship-abuse/">Childhood Pain Can Lead to Adult Relationship Abuse</a></h2>
188</header><div class="entry-content" itemprop="text"><a class="entry-image-link" href="https://amylewisbear.com/childhood-pain-can-lead-to-adult-relationship-abuse/" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"><img width="768" height="343" src="https://amylewisbear.com/wp2024/wp-content/uploads/soul-man-768x343.jpg.webp" class="aligncenter post-image entry-image" alt="Soul man - image by Gerd Altmann" itemprop="image" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://amylewisbear.com/wp2024/wp-content/uploads/soul-man-768x343.jpg.webp 768w, https://amylewisbear.com/wp2024/wp-content/uploads/soul-man-300x134.jpg.webp 300w, https://amylewisbear.com/wp2024/wp-content/uploads/soul-man-1024x457.jpg.webp 1024w, https://amylewisbear.com/wp2024/wp-content/uploads/soul-man.jpg.webp 1120w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></a><p>Inside the Mind of One Man
189Children 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 &#x02026; <a href="https://amylewisbear.com/childhood-pain-can-lead-to-adult-relationship-abuse/" class="more-link">[Read more...] <span class="screen-reader-text">about Childhood Pain Can Lead to Adult Relationship Abuse</span></a></p></div><footer class="entry-footer"><p class="entry-meta"><span class="entry-categories">Filed Under: <a href="https://amylewisbear.com/category/emotional-abuse/" rel="category tag">Emotional Abuse</a>, <a href="https://amylewisbear.com/category/family-dynamics/" rel="category tag">Family Dynamics</a>, <a href="https://amylewisbear.com/category/relationships/" rel="category tag">Relationships</a></span></p></footer></article><article class="post-587 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail category-emotional-abuse category-family-dynamics entry" aria-label="Emotional Abuse is a Key Sign of Toxic Shame: From Childhood Anguish to Adult Dysfunction" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/CreativeWork"><header class="entry-header"><h2 class="entry-title" itemprop="headline"><a class="entry-title-link" rel="bookmark" href="https://amylewisbear.com/emotional-abuse-is-a-key-sign-of-toxic-shame-from-childhood-anguish-to-adult-dysfunction/">Emotional Abuse is a Key Sign of Toxic Shame: From Childhood Anguish to Adult Dysfunction</a></h2>
190</header><div class="entry-content" itemprop="text"><a class="entry-image-link" href="https://amylewisbear.com/emotional-abuse-is-a-key-sign-of-toxic-shame-from-childhood-anguish-to-adult-dysfunction/" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"><img width="768" height="343" src="https://amylewisbear.com/wp2024/wp-content/uploads/child-to-man-768x343.jpg.webp" class="aligncenter post-image entry-image" alt="Child coming out of man" itemprop="image" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://amylewisbear.com/wp2024/wp-content/uploads/child-to-man-768x343.jpg.webp 768w, https://amylewisbear.com/wp2024/wp-content/uploads/child-to-man-300x134.jpg.webp 300w, https://amylewisbear.com/wp2024/wp-content/uploads/child-to-man-1024x457.jpg.webp 1024w, https://amylewisbear.com/wp2024/wp-content/uploads/child-to-man.jpg.webp 1120w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></a><p>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 
190yet treat &#x02026; <a href="https://amylewisbear.com/emotional-abuse-is-a-key-sign-of-toxic-shame-from-childhood-anguish-to-adult-dysfunction/" class="more-link">[Read more...] <span class="screen-reader-text">about Emotional Abuse is a Key Sign of Toxic Shame: From Childhood Anguish to Adult Dysfunction</span></a></p></div><footer class="entry-footer"><p class="entry-meta"><span class="entry-categories">Filed Under: <a href="https://amylewisbear.com/category/emotional-abuse/" rel="category tag">Emotional Abuse</a>, <a href="https://amylewisbear.com/category/family-dynamics/" rel="category tag">Family Dynamics</a></span></p></footer></article><article class="post-581 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail category-emotional-abuse category-relationships entry" aria-label="The Real Reasons for Emotional Abuse and What to Do About It" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/CreativeWork"><header class="entry-header"><h2 class="entry-title" itemprop="headline"><a class="entry-title-link" rel="bookmark" href="https://amylewisbear.com/the-real-reasons-for-emotional-abuse-and-what-to-do-about-it/">The Real Reasons for Emotional Abuse and What to Do About It</a></h2>
191</header><div class="entry-content" itemprop="text"><a class="entry-image-link" href="https://amylewisbear.com/the-real-reasons-for-emotional-abuse-and-what-to-do-about-it/" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"><img width="768" height="343" src="https://amylewisbear.com/wp2024/wp-content/uploads/eye-soul-768x343.jpg.webp" class="aligncenter post-image entry-image" alt="Image by Gerd Altmann" itemprop="image" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://amylewisbear.com/wp2024/wp-content/uploads/eye-soul-768x343.jpg.webp 768w, https://amylewisbear.com/wp2024/wp-content/uploads/eye-soul-300x134.jpg.webp 300w, https://amylewisbear.com/wp2024/wp-content/uploads/eye-soul-1024x457.jpg.webp 1024w, https://amylewisbear.com/wp2024/wp-content/uploads/eye-soul.jpg.webp 1120w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></a><p>Note: Belinda is a composite of many individuals who have come to me for counseling over the years. Jake is a composite of their intimate partners. 
192Belinda didn't know that Jake had a serious &#x02026; <a href="https://amylewisbear.com/the-real-reasons-for-emotional-abuse-and-what-to-do-about-it/" class="more-link">[Read more...] <span class="screen-reader-text">about The Real Reasons for Emotional Abuse and What to Do About It</span></a></p></div><footer class="entry-footer"><p class="entry-meta"><span class="entry-categories">Filed Under: <a href="https://amylewisbear.com/category/emotional-abuse/" rel="category tag">Emotional Abuse</a>, <a href="https://amylewisbear.com/category/relationships/" rel="category tag">Relationships</a></span></p></footer></article><article class="post-525 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail category-couples-counseling category-emotional-abuse category-family-dynamics category-relationships entry" aria-label="Victim Blaming: A Tactic for Avoiding Emotional Intimacy" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/CreativeWork"><header class="entry-header"><h2 class="entry-title" itemprop="headline"><a class="entry-title-link" rel="bookmark" href="https://amylewisbear.com/victim-blaming-a-tactic-for-avoiding-emotional-intimacy/">Victim Blaming: A Tactic for Avoiding Emotional Intimacy</a></h2>
193</header><div class="entry-content" itemprop="text"><a class="entry-image-link" href="https://amylewisbear.com/victim-blaming-a-tactic-for-avoiding-emotional-intimacy/" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"><img width="768" height="432" src="https://amylewisbear.com/wp2024/wp-content/uploads/pointing-768x432.jpg.webp" class="aligncenter post-image entry-image" alt="" itemprop="image" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://amylewisbear.com/wp2024/wp-content/uploads/pointing-768x432.jpg.webp 768w, https://amylewisbear.com/wp2024/wp-content/uploads/pointing-300x169.jpg.webp 300w, https://amylewisbear.com/wp2024/wp-content/uploads/pointing-1024x576.jpg.webp 1024w, https://amylewisbear.com/wp2024/wp-content/uploads/pointing.jpg.webp 1280w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></a><p>“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 &#x02026; <a href="https://amylewisbear.com/victim-blaming-a-tactic-for-avoiding-emotional-intimacy/" class="more-link">[Read more...] <span class="screen-reader-text">about Victim Blaming: A Tactic for Avoiding Emotional Intimacy</span></a></p></div><footer class="entry-footer"><p class="entry-meta"><span class="entry-categories">Filed Under: <a href="https://amylewisbear.com/category/couples-counseling/" rel="category tag">Couples Counseling</a>, <a href="https://amylewisbear.com/category/emotional-abuse/" rel="category tag">Emotional Abuse</a>, <a href="https://amylewisbear.com/category/family-dynamics/" rel="category tag">Family Dynamics</a>, <a href="https://amylewisbear.com/category/relationships/" rel="category tag">Relationships</a></span></p></footer></article><article class="post-510 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail category-emotional-abuse entry" aria-label="When Elderly Parents Are Abusive" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/CreativeWork"><header class="entry-header"><h2 class="entry-title" itemprop="headline"><a class="entry-title-link" rel="bookmark" href="https://amylewisbear.com/when-elderly-parents-are-abusive/">When Elderly Parents Are Abusive</a></h2>
194</header><div class="entry-content" itemprop="text"><a class="entry-image-link" href="https://amylewisbear.com/when-elderly-parents-are-abusive/" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"><img width="768" height="543" src="https://amylewisbear.com/wp2024/wp-content/uploads/patient-3793490_1920-768x543.jpg.webp" class="aligncenter post-image entry-image" alt="son looking after elderly father" itemprop="image" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://amylewisbear.com/wp2024/wp-content/uploads/patient-3793490_1920-768x543.jpg.webp 768w, https://amylewisbear.com/wp2024/wp-content/uploads/patient-3793490_1920-300x212.jpg.webp 300w, https://amylewisbear.com/wp2024/wp-content/uploads/patient-3793490_1920-1024x724.jpg.webp 1024w, https://amylewisbear.com/wp2024/wp-content/uploads/patient-3793490_1920-1536x1086.jpg.webp 1536w, https://amylewisbear.com/wp2024/wp-content/uploads/patient-3793490_1920.jpg.webp 1920w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></a><p>Attempting to take care of an abusive elderly parent is fraught with problems and limited options, more so now as family members shelter in place during the Covid-19 pandemic. But there are some &#x02026; <a href="https://amylewisbear.com/when-elderly-parents-are-abusive/" class="more-link">[Read more...] <span class="screen-reader-text">about When Elderly Parents Are Abusive</span></a></p></div><footer class="entry-footer"><p class="entry-meta"><span class="entry-categories">Filed Under: <a href="https://amylewisbear.com/category/emotional-abuse/" rel="category tag">Emotional Abuse</a></span></p></footer></article><article class="post-476 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail category-emotional-abuse category-relationships entry" aria-label="Is it a Love Spat or Emotional Abuse?" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/CreativeWork"><header class="entry-header"><h2 class="entry-title" itemprop="headline"><a class="entry-title-link" rel="bookmark" href="https://amylewisbear.com/is-it-a-love-spat-or-emotional-abuse/">Is it a Love Spat or Emotional Abuse?</a></h2>
195</header><div class="entry-content" itemprop="text"><a class="entry-image-link" href="https://amylewisbear.com/is-it-a-love-spat-or-emotional-abuse/" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"><img width="768" height="343" src="https://amylewisbear.com/wp2024/wp-content/uploads/unhappy-couple-on-bridge-768x343.jpg.webp" class="aligncenter post-image entry-image" alt="unhappy couple on bridge" itemprop="image" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://amylewisbear.com/wp2024/wp-content/uploads/unhappy-couple-on-bridge-768x343.jpg.webp 768w, https://amylewisbear.com/wp2024/wp-content/uploads/unhappy-couple-on-bridge-300x134.jpg.webp 300w, https://amylewisbear.com/wp2024/wp-content/uploads/unhappy-couple-on-bridge-1024x45
1957.jpg.webp 1024w, https://amylewisbear.com/wp2024/wp-content/uploads/unhappy-couple-on-bridge.jpg.webp 1120w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></a><p>When stirring up trouble is used as a control tactic in relationships
196It takes maturity, self-reflection, and mental discipline to be in a healthy relationship. These traits are useful when &#x02026; <a href="https://amylewisbear.com/is-it-a-love-spat-or-emotional-abuse/" class="more-link">[Read more...] <span class="screen-reader-text">about Is it a Love Spat or Emotional Abuse?</span></a></p></div><footer class="entry-footer"><p class="entry-meta"><span class="entry-categories">Filed Under: <a href="https://amylewisbear.com/category/emotional-abuse/" rel="category tag">Emotional Abuse</a>, <a href="https://amylewisbear.com/category/relationships/" rel="category tag">Relationships</a></span></p></footer></article><div class="archive-pagination pagination" role="navigation" aria-label="Pagination"><ul><li class="active" ><a href="https://amylewisbear.com/blog/" aria-current="page"><span class="screen-reader-text">Page</span> 1</a></li>
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