Reddit reviews Emotional Blackmail: When the People in Your Life Use Fear, Obligation, and Guilt to Manipulate You
We found 1 Reddit comments about Emotional Blackmail: When the People in Your Life Use Fear, Obligation, and Guilt to Manipulate You. Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.
Welcome, and congratulations on leaving your abuser!
> so why am I so overwhelmed?
Because without any formal training whatsoever, abusers are natural masters at using fear, obligation, and guilt to get what they want -- See Susan Forward's book called Emotional Blackmail. You've literally been "programmed" to feel these things in association with him. There's also the possibility that Trauma Bonding is at play here.
The good news is that it starts to let up as time goes by. In the mean time, keep your brain and body occupied. Writing helped me a lot. Intense exercise such as running was also a huge help to me. If you like reading fiction, it helps get your mind off of reality for a while. Be sure to stay "No Contact" with him and find a therapist to talk with about your dad and your ex bf if you can afford it.
In any event, feel free to post here anytime! We're here to support you!