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r/AnxiousAttachmentUpdated 30 days ago
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Why am I anxiously attached to partners and friends but not my parents?

If you read about Patricia Crittenden's understanding of attachment avoidance you'll find a more articulate explanation, but avoidant strategies are based on a kind of cause and effect logic i.e. if I…

r/AnxiousAttachmentcomment3/19/2026
Can I get some assurance from reformed people pleasers 🥲?

Can I get some assurance from reformed people pleasers 🥲? — And some advice? Not necessarily on "what to do" because I know how to set boundaries in theory. It's managing the guilt and fear of fallout that I struggle with and I do because all my life any time …

r/AvoidantAttachmentpost2/8/2026
37/m. 3 months ago, I committed an act of domestic violence on my ex partner and I am trying to make sure the version of me that did that stays in the past.

37/m. 3 months ago, I committed an act of domestic violence on my ex partner and I am trying to make sure the version of me that did that stays in the past. — In December I physically attacked my now ex gf of 4 years. It is the single worst thing I have ever done in my life, to the person I loved more than I have ever loved anyone before. I moved out immedi…

r/DecidingToBeBetterpost3/30/2026
Writing a book for male survivors of emotional manipulation and controlling abuse/coercive control.

Writing a book for male survivors of emotional manipulation and controlling abuse/coercive control. — Wasn’t intending to post anything yet as this is still very much in draft; but I said I would, so here it is. I am writing a book for male survivors of domestic and family violence; not physical abus…

r/NarcissisticAbusepost3/30/2026
Close Friend Unicorn hunted my girlfriend while we were still together. I wish I wasn't worried about her.

Close Friend Unicorn hunted my girlfriend while we were still together. I wish I wasn't worried about her. — The guy encouraged me to date her. Was my confidant during the talking stage and told me he wanted the best for me. Meanwhile he set himself up as emotional support for her and started slowly pursuing…

r/survivinginfidelitypost4/1/2026
Turbulent year. Opinions on the worst year of my life?

Turbulent year. Opinions on the worst year of my life? — I got into a relationship at 16. Within the first two years of our relationship I discovered he was cheating by having sexual chats and sending explicit pictures online to other women. I forgave him a…

r/Divorcepost4/4/2026
I am genuinely horrified that I have commited the worst crimes a person can commit.

I am genuinely horrified that I have commited the worst crimes a person can commit. — My mind is in such a dark place that it legitimately makes my chest hurt. My OCD has gotten so bad that I obsess and have unwanted thoughts and urges about every possible taboo. Incest, p#dophilia, z…

r/therapypost4/7/2026
The best summary of cptsd ive come across

The best summary of cptsd ive come across — someone commented this and I think its really helpful overview of cptsd for us What CPTSD Actually Is CPTSD (Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) comes from prolonged, repeated trauma, especially…

r/CPTSDpost4/8/2026
Narc Abuse - Coercive Control - Police

Narc Abuse - Coercive Control - Police — I’m from England. Coercive Control is now a criminal offence here. I left 1.5 years ago as he slept, four days later got the most brutal discard (all the things he promised he wouldn’t do), silent tre…

r/NarcissisticAbusepost4/9/2026
Weekly Post - ✨Wins and Successes ✨

My friend hurt my feelings and I *told them*. I've gotten a lot better about doing this in general but it has been tricky with this friend, and this particular habit of theirs. I have felt like I co…

r/AvoidantAttachmentcomment1/30/2026
We live in a culture that glorifies self-sufficiency and punishes inter-dependence and needs. That impacts what we start labelling as anxious attachment, and how we are encouraged to heal.

> tendency to weirdly label AnxA as fundamentally more manipulative or to psychonalyze us as having nefarious intentions without knowing it I would guess that this is because convincing people to do …

r/AnxiousAttachmentcomment2/11/2026
Feeling “off” after trust rupture — attachment system or intuition?

I think there's always some value in taking the time to sit with your feelings and really process them. Anxiety or avoidance, it's always good to understand where your feelings are coming from. I see …

r/AvoidantAttachmentcomment3/2/2026
DA’s - Do You Know When You’re Deactivating?

People that use anxious attachment strategies. Since they are preoccupied with fulfilling their own attachment needs and use coercive behavior to do so. I am not saying this to make people that use a…

r/attachment_theorycomment3/4/2026
Do narcs enjoy kissing?

my nex started to make disgusting faces after kissing me. he said it was because I am a smoker, but when we started to date he told me it didn't bother him. I eventually stopped smoking (after four y…

r/NarcissisticAbusecomment3/9/2026
I Genially Think My (35F) Husband (36M) is a Psychopath

Here's the definition, but this issue sounds neurological like others have said and it doesn't quite sound like this fit the standard emotion/narcissistic abuse outline: "DARVO is an acronym for Deny…

r/relationship_advicecomment3/9/2026
I Genially Think My (35F) Husband (36M) is a Psychopath

https://www.keystonelaw.com/keynotes/understanding-darvo-what-is-abusive-gaslighting-and-coercive-behaviour-in-a-relationship

r/relationship_advicecomment3/9/2026
Broke up with DA after a year.

Well, what I'm stating isn't a thought process. It's just the Dynamic Maturational Model of Attachment. Which was constructed by Dr. Patricia Crittenden, she was mentored by Dr. Mary Ainsworth, whom c…

r/attachment_theorycomment3/9/2026
I ran into my ex and his new girlfriend. Crashing out.

There's every chance things AREN'T going well and she was outside your apartment trying to get the nerve to talk to you to ask if what he's doing to her, did he do that to you. OP let's pause, take 1…

r/NarcissisticAbusecomment3/10/2026
Does anyone else feel like this fixation on "trauma dumping" stinks of toxic positivity?

Trauma-dumping refers to a one-sided coercive relief of tension without regard for the other person. Talking about, or mentioning trauma, as it pertains to an organic topic, is not considered trauma-d…

r/CPTSDcomment3/10/2026
Update to my previous post. Tis not a good one.

Okay, slow down for a second and notice this. Do you not realize how many ways she was telling you to stop, back off, NO? When someone tells you you're gaslighting them, what do you think that means: …

r/datingoverfortycomment3/11/2026
A Stunning 26% of Adult Children Are Estranged from Their Fathers

I would like to clarify, but also draw a connection between two phenomena in this parent child dynamic. I was speaking to both but with the knowledge of the earlier dynamic that occurs during divorce…

r/EmotionalNeglectcomment3/11/2026
It's not lovebombing. It's grooming.

I got my son and I out and the court saw fit to put him back in with our abuser 50% of the time because the legal system doesn’t consider narcissistic abuse and coercive control to be real abuse. I u…

r/NarcissisticAbusecomment3/12/2026
My (19f) boyfriend (19m) keeps telling me I’m at high risk of diabetes. How do I address this?

BAM! Exactly this!! OP this isn't about your 'health' or based on real markers of predisposition to diabetes. This is bullying, controlling and abusive. Please research manipulative abuse and coe…

r/relationship_advicecomment3/13/2026
Reactive Abuse is the Worst

I didn't understand the first sentences sorry for my english Yes it's dirty, reactive abuse as well coercive control. These two nasty things. For reactive abuse it depends on the perpetrator. And…

r/NarcissisticAbusecomment3/13/2026
My wife got pregnant and immediately turned into a completely different person. It’s like she’s trying to destroy me.

Yes, trauma therapist here with a background in abuse dynamics. I agree, this doesn’t sound like psychosis. However, it is very common for abusive behavior to appear after big relationship milestones …

r/Divorcecomment3/14/2026
The absolute dearth of any kind of help for victims of polyamory under duress

By the way you've described it, I'm wondering if you were in a coercive relationship where you felt pressured to perform and behave in certain ways. It can happen with coercive control that one partne…

r/therapycomment3/14/2026
The absolute dearth of any kind of help for victims of polyamory under duress

I think I'm a little confused on what exactly you expect from a therapist. One to agree polyamory is a "cult" (in your own words) that should be condensed by society? Because that's unrealistic. Thera…

r/therapycomment3/15/2026
My wife got pregnant and immediately turned into a completely different person. It’s like she’s trying to destroy me.

Yes, the wife sounds abusive. Yelling at you, hiding your stuff, gaslighting you, mocking (verbal abuse), threatening abandonment. This sounds like verbal and emotional abuse. Look at the Duluth Power…

r/Divorcecomment3/15/2026
The absolute dearth of any kind of help for victims of polyamory under duress

"only 3 drinks" on an empty stomach is a lot. I get tying one on when you're under stress, but not being aware that that's how alcohol works is on you. and then blaming the polyamory community you ran…

r/therapycomment3/15/2026
A simple example of how narcissists create no win situations.

>Is this abuse Absolutely it's abuse! Emotional abuse with a side of manipulation and coercive control. The fact that he was only excited about you cooking for him, and not excited to be closer to t…

r/NarcissisticAbusecomment3/17/2026
How to stop being attracted to "unavailable" people?

Well, it isn’t unusual for people with affect attachment strategies to be this way. It is what fuels their attachment, because when they are around inconsistent people, that reinforces their attachmen…

r/AnxiousAttachmentcomment3/18/2026
Started family therapy with my parents...

I think it's a huge waste of your time, energy, attention, and effort. Abusers don't change, they just learn better ways to manipulate. Cut them off and set yourself, your partner, and your child fre…

r/EmotionalNeglectcomment3/18/2026
How do I (M22) explain to my girlfriend (F20) that I have a substantial amount of money?

So something to think about - and in no way saying don’t stay with her. But something a family acquaintance once said (who is obscenely wealthy) they will never date outside of their own wealth bracke…

r/relationship_advicecomment3/19/2026
Were you basically surviving your entire childhood?

I think I did too. Maybe 🤔 Probably. I am thinking I may have been silenced and controlled with the silent treatment and stonewalling my entire life and I am waking up to this as a possible reality…

r/raisedbynarcissistscomment3/20/2026
Stop being a fixer, and get the relationship you truly want!

They genuinely do frame their post as DAs and FAs are bad. I don't see how you cannot read this post and not see how the OP blames DAs and FAs for how he feels. Like they somehow have control over his…

r/attachment_theorycomment3/20/2026
You're not allowed to be angry. You're not allowed to feel your emotions.

Not allowed be angry/ sad/ speak/ whatevs, not allowed be not angry/ not sad/ not speak/ whatevs - the 'double bind'. Whatever we do is wrong or not right. The purpose of which is to keep us feeling a…

r/raisedbynarcissistscomment3/21/2026
How to stop being attracted to "unavailable" people?

Without therapy and the tools it provides, a relationship like that can become self reinforcing. But therapy, including couples therapy, can help both people understand themselves and each other, and …

r/AnxiousAttachmentcomment3/21/2026
How to stop being attracted to "unavailable" people?

>I also want to address the idea of anxious people being seen as “roles.” I understand this may come from your personal experience, but not every anxiously attached person relates to others in that wa…

r/AnxiousAttachmentcomment3/21/2026
My (37F) partner (43M) is obsessed with having something in his ass during sex and its ruining it for me.

Exactly. Not faking is obviously the ideal. But not all women are in ideal situations. And I’m not going to sit on a high horse and judge another woman for doing what she has to do to survive a coerci…

r/relationship_advicecomment3/22/2026
I (23F) was too nervous to finish a threesome and now my boyfriend (27M) seems to hate me

Neon red flashing lights babes. Red flags to the max. 🚩 I can’t imagine what you might feel in your relationship or the complexities of your emotions, I am not you. But from the outside this is prett…

r/relationship_advicecomment3/22/2026
I (23F) was too nervous to finish a threesome and now my boyfriend (27M) seems to hate me

This feels coercive and abusive. Especially the way he commanded you to take your top off, and made you feel wrong for being uncomfortable. I'm sorry to say it but he manipulated you into this three…

r/relationship_advicecomment3/22/2026
Daily sticky thread for rants, raves, celebrations, advice and more! - March 22, 2026

Love bombing and possessiveness, red flag for someone with coercive control issues

r/datingoverthirtycomment3/22/2026
r/relationship_advicecomment3/22/2026
I (23F) was too nervous to finish a threesome and now my boyfriend (27M) seems to hate me

okay so that's rape. it's coercive rape. get very far away from this disgusting man. do you really want your forever history to be "I let myself be forced in to a threesome that I didn't even want, al…

r/relationship_advicecomment3/22/2026
I asked him his whereabouts and he called me insecure

He was probably trying to monkey branch to this other woman. It is typical in coercive attachment strategies to behave like this. As hard as it might be, you should probably just walk away and let th…

r/attachment_theorycomment3/23/2026
Mom threatening suicide if I don't come back

This is an attempt at coercive control. When people start saying or doing things to control you using coercion, they are beyond your help. Just like they tell you on an aeroplane, put on your own oxyg…

r/raisedbynarcissistscomment3/24/2026
I 27f pregnant can barley eat and my partner 31m didnt sleep because I ate McDonald’s

This is about abuse not non productive comments. Your husband may NEVER comment on your food choices pregnant or not. Clearly he still has an disordered eating habit by monitoring your food intake. …

r/relationship_advicecomment3/24/2026
Dead bedroom, found pregnancy tests

I'm worried that she has a greater plan. It seems like you've got a pretty good idea of what she can't do but you haven't considered what she actually can do within the framework she's got. What woul…

r/survivinginfidelitycomment3/24/2026
inappropriate relationship with my therapist

Report this to whatever his ethical licensing board is, and maybe even file a police report. This is coercive sexual assault and grooming. I am so so sorry that this happened to you, OP. You did absol…

r/CPTSDcomment3/25/2026
my 22M bf says he will leave me 22F if i get breast surgery

Ok, that’s exactly what I thought. Can you see the red flags here? This will lead into telling you who you can/can’t be friends with. Telling you when or where you can go out. Telling you what time…

r/relationship_advicecomment3/26/2026
my 22M bf says he will leave me 22F if i get breast surgery

It's one thing for a man to say that he enjoys the way you look as you are, and it's another to leverage coercive control when it comes to someone wanting to fix something that they're dissatisfied wi…

r/relationship_advicecomment3/26/2026
my 22M bf says he will leave me 22F if i get breast surgery

You can do whatever you want with your own body. Understand that and hold it deeply. He can decide he doesn’t want to date someone with boob implants. He can hold that boundary. But make sure it is …

r/relationship_advicecomment3/26/2026
how old were you when you realized that your family and feelings weren't "normal"

To be fair, mine told me in their own way... It was always about keeping things quiet, so as much as I wanted to say something at school (or even if a Childline advert came on the TV) it would be mad…

r/raisedbynarcissistscomment3/26/2026
The hardest relationships aren't age gaps, they're intelligence gaps.

I also didn’t have a term for coercive control, having never needed to put a name to it before. I just knew my second husband was being abusive. Sometimes we don’t know what to call things and we don’…

r/Divorcecomment3/27/2026
What’s a behavior or reaction you’ve had that you later realized was actually a trauma response, even though you didn’t recognize it at the time?

Feeling I *have* to explain, giving detail and information, just because someone asked It marks me as a target for abusive, controlling and coercive people, and I hate it. I spiral so much afterwards…

r/raisedbynarcissistscomment3/27/2026
I (20M) haven't slept in my own bed in almost 2 months because of my (19F) girlfriend

Yes, even if she’s mentally ill, this is serious emotional abuse and fits the criteria of coercive control. I’m very sorry OP. Please speak to a counsellor or social worker on campus, you should be ab…

r/relationship_advicecomment3/27/2026
I (20M) haven't slept in my own bed in almost 2 months because of my (19F) girlfriend

Agreed. This is coercive, controlling, threatening, and scary. If we gender swap the parties I think most commenters would be telling OP that she was being abused even if the abuse had not yet become…

r/relationship_advicecomment3/27/2026
What’s a behavior or reaction you’ve had that you later realized was actually a trauma response, even though you didn’t recognize it at the time?

I could agree with so many comments here. But this one had been so strong. "My own worst critic" i would say. Now if i hear someone say that im going to low key asume they have had a hard time. And …

r/raisedbynarcissistscomment3/27/2026