Domestic Violence Survival Tips: 3 Keys to Surviving the Conditioning in an Abusive Relationship

Understanding the "conditioning" that occurs inacceptable to society at large, or shall I say by the
abusive relationships is key to one's survival in, andstandards of law.
after, the relationship. Read on to discover 3 keys toI see so many individuals who truly feel they are in
over-ride the conditioning in abusive relationships.the "dog house" when they have disobeyed the
Understanding the conditioning that occurs in abusivewants and wishes of their abusive partner. You can
relationships is key to one's survival in, and after, thealmost feel their tail between their legs when they
relationship. Here are three keys to help you see thetalk about it. Pull yourself out of the doghouse. You
role and effects of conditioning in abusivedon't deserve to be there.
relationships.3) You deserve to receive all that he/she demands
1) You did not make him/her do it or say it.you give to them.
You probably know this from the core of your being,It might not feel like such when you are enmeshed in
but may have trouble believing it with your thinkingan abusive relationship, but it is a fact that your
brain, due to the ongoing conditioning that happens in"deserving-less-ness" is all made up. He/she made it
abusive relationships. With most things in theup and so did you.
relationship—when the finger is pointed—it usuallyAnd as with the other standards and beliefs among
lands on the person with the less power.couples in abusive relationships, your
And when that person owns the fault for whateverdeserving-less-ness is nothing more than another
transgression is up for consideration, then rewards"rule" driven home through conditioning. However, it is
are bestowed upon them. This is where and how thea more serious culprit because of its kinship to the
conditioning occurs. Be mindful of it. And always knowpower/control entitlement issues central to domestic
you can only be responsible for your own thoughts,abuse.
feelings and actions; never for someone else'sThis may be obvious with your appreciation of the
thoughts, feelings or actions."power and control" issues inherent in abusive
2) You don't deserve to be punished or put in "your"relationships. But even people who claim to
place.understand this show signs of struggling with their
This is another way in which conditioning is accepteddeservingness, their worthiness.
as the behavioral norm. While it is true that on someI find that when people pull themselves out of the
level conditioning occurs in all relationships, "negativedoghouse, discovering their worthiness follows.
reinforcement" conditioning is another story. That'sKnowing your worthiness and the boundaries of your
what we do with criminals when we jail them. Theyresponsibility to, and for, yourself are important keys
are negatively punished for doing something notto survival in an abusive relationship.