Index

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abandonment:

emotional, 108–10, 159

fear of, 54

of unloving mother, 102, 179

abuse:

acknowledgment of mother’s role in, 233

behavior problems as response to, 109

blame shifted to victim of, 116–19, 127–28

establishing new normal relationship after, 233–38

mother’s failure to protect from, 3, 105, 110–19, 123–24, 127–30, 233–37

as obstacle to new normal relationship, 225–26

self-blame for, 110

surfacing memories of, 161

therapy for mother and daughter in, 233–38

see also abusive mothers; physical abuse; sexual abuse; verbal abuse

abusive mothers, 3, 4, 22–23, 105–31, 264

as distant and cold, 106–7, 158

messages of, 149

in need and crisis, 254–61

roots of, 107–8

addiction, as obstacle to new normal relationship, 225

see also alcohol abuse; drug abuse

adolescence:

evolving independence in, 110–11

in healthy mother-daughter relationship, 54

as trigger for unloving mothers, 40–41, 43

adoration, narcissistic addiction to, 29–31

Adult Daughter’s Bill of Rights, 195, 209

alcohol abuse, 87

daughter as target in, 97–98

by daughters of alcoholic mothers, 100

isolation and, 99

by mother, 96–104, 169

by partner, 115

rebellion through, 85

support as essential in, 136

alcoholic mothers, 96–104

expressing desires and needs to, 169

anger, 142, 156, 161

in abusive relationship, 105

at alcoholic mothers, 98, 101

apologizing for, 123

behind grief, 172–79, 184

as catalyst for change, 85

confrontation of, 175–76

rol as root of, 70, 81–85

denial of, 174

and depression, 85

directed at self, 188–90

in healing, 136

living with and through, 184–85

in mother’s ballistic response to boundary-setting, 216–20

movies and tv shows as models for realistic view of, 187

nonjudgmental acknowledgment of, 186

physical activity as release for, 187–88

physical symptoms of, 186

as response to lost childhood, 104

in sexual abuse, 235

tapping the wisdom in, 171–91

toolbox for handling, 185–91

using visualization to manage, 188

see also rage

anorexia, 84

anxiety, 2, 15, 34–35, 37, 39, 116, 197, 203, 226, 247

assertiveness, 193

attention, as goal of narcissistic mothers, 27–29, 48–49

behavior:

defined, 193

making changes in, 50, 192–205, 212, 252

mother’s response to changed, 204

belittling, 16, 69, 73, 86

Bill of Rights, Adult Daughter’s, 195, 209

bingeing and purging, 84

blame:

for alcoholism, 102

for breaking off act, 249

misplaced, 25, 32, 35, 140, 172, 209, 214, 219, 227

in neglect, 105

of oneself, see self-blame

shifted to abuse victim, 116–19

bonding:

bondage vs., 52–56

healthy, 54, 266

lack of, 105

boundaries, boundary-setting, 190, 206–21

crisis as challenge to, 253–62

deciding on reasonable consequences in, 211–12

defined, 209

determining one’s own goals in, 208–9, 218

enmeshed mother’s lack of, 51–68, 213–14

expressing one’s own desires in, 209–10

four-step process for, 208–12

handling mother’s resistance to, 210–21, 222, 238–41

scripting for, 216, 218–20

breaking off contact, 102, 103, 122, 169, 226, 241, 242–52

handling family occasions after, 250

as last resort, 242–44

sense of finality in, 246

strategies for handling reactions of family and friends to, 248–52

strategies for informing mother in, 245–47

bulimia, 84

bullies, bullying, 78–81, 86, 159

burdensome messages, 148–49

burial, symbolic exercise of, 182–84

calming, techniques for, 182–83, 220

cancer diagnosis, in mother, 254–61

careers, 5, 258

as caretakers, 100–101

sabotaging of one’s own, 146

stymied, 34–35, 37–38, 142

caretakers:

as career choice, 100–101

daughters as, 87–104, 159, 172–79, 226–27

in mother’s illness, 253–62

Chaney, Lon, 29

childhood:

confronting memories of, 136, 184–85

control as appropriate for, 69

daughters deprived of, 88–90, 104, 143, 160, 182

isolation in, 16–17

“little adults” in, 88–90

roots of dysfunction in, 8

taking adult role in, 87–90, 93, 96–97, 102, 172, 226

violent, see physical abuse

children:

responsibility to, 103, 263

as targets of rage, 82–83

as trigger for memories of sexual abuse, 129

unwanted, 106–8

chores, 79, 104

college, leaving home for, 55

communication:

benefits of telephone in, 218–19

of decision to break off, 245–47

dialogue with inner child, 177–79, 181

empowering language in, 169

of false messages, 147–55

by letter, see letter writing, letters

nondefensive, see nondefensive communication

nonverbal, 68, 140, 147

verbal, 73, 147, 180

communication exercises, 136

competition:

emerging womanhood seen as, 38–42

by mother, 3, 21, 38–42, 148

by narcissists, 28–47, 168, 238–39

roots of, 43–44

confidence, 3, 6

building, 265

lack of, 2, 4, 142

conflict, avoidance of, 75

control:

as basis of sexual abuse, 123–26, 128

criticism as basis for, 73–74

in entrapment and bullying, 70–75

as expression of power, 84–85, 123–26

overt and direct, 69–70

and perfectionism, 75–81

rebellion as response to, 84–85

sadistic, 81–85, 161, 176–77

controlling mothers, 21, 69–86, 142, 159, 161, 176–77, 264

breaking off contact with, 242–52

conflict between partners and, 70–75, 217, 243–52

establishing new normal relationship with, 222, 225

expressing desires and needs to, 169

messages of, 148

roots of, 86

setting boundaries for, 217

counseling, see therapy

criminality, of sexual abuse, 126, 128

crisis:

as challenge to new normal relationship, 253–62

as opportunity for new relationship, 254, 257–58

critical mothers, 4, 21, 159, 264

expressing desires and needs to, 169

standing up to, 197–201, 209, 217, 222, 238–41, 252

criticism, 2, 3

of abused daughters, 116

of daughter’s partner, 70–75, 217, 243–52

as fountainhead for controlling mothers, 73–74

healthy response to, 32

inner commentary of, 39–40

narcissistic defense against, 29, 33, 35

by narcissists, 34, 36–38

and perfectionism, 75–81

programming through, 141

standing up to, 197–202

crying, 93, 136, 171, 173, 179, 190, 237, 269

daughters:

emerging womanhood of, 4, 38–41, 54–56

mother bond with, 5, 54, 266

responsibilities and rights of, 193–96

unloved, see unloved daughters

decision making, avoidance of, 75

defensiveness, as ineffective, 196–99, 205

deflection, 140

by narcissists, 27, 30–32

de Havilland, Olivia, 187

demeaning messages, 147–48, 197–98

denial, 4

of abuse, 112

in alcoholics, 102

of anger, 174

grief and, 191

by narcissists, 27, 30, 32–34

in sexual abuse, 126–28

“stuffing” as, 185

dependency, 26

on caretakers, 90–96

control and, 70

enmeshment and, 56–62

on sexual abusers, 124–25, 128

dependent mothers, 22, 87–104, 159, 172, 174–76, 264

alcohol and drug abuse by, 96–104

as childlike, 102–3

depression in, 94–104

establishing new normal relationship with, 226–29

in old age, sickness, or isolation, 253–62

depression:

anger and, 85

in daughters, 2, 16, 90, 96

in dependency, 94–104

as illness, 94–96

in mothers, 4, 22, 87, 142, 144, 226–29

as obstacle to new normal relationship, 225

sexual abuse and, 125, 129, 233

treatment for, 136, 228

deprivation, 5

derision, 73

devotion, of enmeshed mothers, 54

discipline, 265

disloyalty, 17, 159

dismissal, 32

distant mothers, 4, 106–7, 158

expressing desires and needs to, 168

divorce, 93, 128

of daughters, 62, 115

of mothers, 65

from one’s own mother, 251

drama queens, 27–31, 33, 48

drug abuse:

by daughters of addicted mothers, 99–101

dependency and, 96–104

in mothers, 22, 87, 96–104

rebellion through, 85

support as essential for, 136

duty, false messages of, 149

eating disorders, 84–85

embarrassment, 129, 142, 236

emotional boundaries, 207

emotions:

in breaking off contact, 246, 251

confronting, 171–91

false beliefs as basis for, 141–43

intellect vs., 19, 162

internalization of, 136, 146, 173–74

in line with new behavior, 201–3

painful, acknowledging of, 156–70

empathy, lack of, 20, 26–27, 128, 264

empowerment:

through asserting one’s own rights and responsibilities, 193–96

boundary-setting as, 214, 219, 224

in exorcising guilt, 248

through expressing desires and needs, 167–69, 206–7

through expression of anger, 176–77

in face of crisis, 261–62

language of, 169

in tea party relationships, 241

emptiness, 4

of enmeshed mothers, 55

as root of narcissism, 43–44

empty chair scenario, 175

empty nest syndrome, 55

endorphins, 187–88

enmeshed mothers, 21, 51–68

bondage vs. bonding of, 52–56

breaking off contact with, 242

establishing new normal relationship with, 223–25, 229–33

expressing desires and needs to, 168

messages of, 149

separation as betrayal of, 55–56

standing up to, 202–5

enmeshment:

dependency and, 56–62

guilt and, 59, 64, 66–68

and marital dysfunction, 52–53, 56–60, 229–33

overt control vs., 69–70

ritual and, 66

as two-way street, 67–68

false beliefs:

acceptance of, 142–43

in career, 146

demeaning, 147–48

internalizing of, 141–55

as lies, 151

in love, 145–46

nonverbal communication of, 147–55

obstacles to challenging, 144–45

recognizing, 139–55

separating truth from, 151–55

family, relatives:

abuse by, 22, 110, 124

of choice vs. blood, 251

destructive, 112–13

jealousy within, 46–47

in response to breaking off contact, 246–52

in role of good mother, 263

seeking validation from, 14, 15–17

strategies for handling reactions of, 248–52

family occasions, after breaking off contact, 250

fathers:

angry, 92

distant and uninvolved, 72, 73

dysfunctional, 5, 16

informing of break off, 250

physical abuse by, 110, 112–13, 116–19

replicated in partner, 115

sexual abuse by, 110, 123–30, 233–38

fear, 105, 113, 156, 197

of abandonment, 54, 68

of abuse, 113

in allowing abuse, 110

bonding by, 66

in breaking off contact, 246

in enmeshment, 67–68

of facing truth, 17

grief and, 190–91

of replicating mother’s unloving behavior, 1–2, 77, 264, 265

fight-or-flight response, 81

“fixer-uppers,” 90–96, 172

forgiveness, of self, 189–90

freedom, rebellion vs., 85

friends:

as catalyst for change, 75

intervention by, 85

isolation from, 15–17

narcissists’ co-opting of, 41

in role of good mother, 263

seeking validation from, 14, 15–17

strategies for handling reactions of, 248–52

Gaslight, 34

gaslighting, 34

gifts:

rejected, 49

strings attached to, 45, 47, 56–62

goals, sabotaging of one’s own, 146–47

Good Mother Exercise, 266–67

good mothers:

becoming, 263–70

criteria for, 3

learning through observation of, 264–67

grief:

of abuse victims, 123

anger and, 172–79, 184

in breaking off contact, 252

in healing, 136, 171–91

living with and through, 184–85, 190–91

tapping the wisdom in, 171–91

toolbox for handling, 185–91

triggers for, 190

guilt:

in abuse, 110, 124

in breaking off contact, 246–48, 251, 252

in caretakers, 102

and control, 75

in creating and maintaining boundaries, 207, 221, 224, 233

and enmeshment, 59, 64, 66–68

for failure to protect daughter, 235–37

“monster” exercise to exorcise, 247–48

in narcissistic relationship, 46

overcoming, 158–59, 172, 192

self-destructive behavior and, 85

of unloved daughters, 18, 142

healing:

acknowledging painful emotions in, 156–70

avoiding regression in, 253–54

becoming a good mother through, 263–70

being prepared for, 135–38

breaking off contact with mother in, 242–52

challenging false beliefs in, 139–55

changing behavior in, 192–205

confronting anger and grief in, 171–91

distinguishing oneself from mother in, 264

exercises in, 135–36, 151–55, 180, 182–83, 188, 191, 247–48, 267

expressing desires and needs in, 167–69

fulfilling one’s own needs in, 261–62

immense benefits of, 253

letter writing as, 157–70

life skills for, 192–205

new relationship with mothers in, see new normal relationship

perseverance and patience in, 215–16, 222

setting boundaries in, see boundaries, boundary-setting

taking time in, 136, 156, 164, 172

working on one’s own in, 136, 172

Heiress, The, 187

helium balloons, 154–55

helplessness, 113

“hungry ghosts,” 43

“I am” statements, 140–41, 152–54

“I attack/you defend” cycle, 196

“I felt” statements, 162–63

“if only” messages, 109, 150–51, 184, 244

illness, in unloving mother, 253–62

inadequacy, sense of, 4, 90, 142, 198, 244

incest, 110, 123–30

independence:

bonding and, 54

through healing, 253

as healthy goal, 60, 143

transition to, 55–56, 69–70, 110–11, 139

insanity, defined, 227

insecurity, 142

of narcissists, 24, 26, 29, 31–32

internalization:

of destructive messages, 140–56

of emotions, 173–74

of rejection, 17–19

invisibility, of abused daughters, 106–9

isolation, 15–17

in abuse, 113, 118, 138

from partner, 106

of unloving mother, 253–62

jealousy:

encouraging of, 46–47

in sexual abuse, 128

judgment, doubting of one’s own, 73

language:

defensive, 196–99

empowering, 169

learning disabilities, overprotection and, 59–60

letter writing, letters:

in breaking off contact, 245–46, 250–51

expressing desires and needs in, 167–69, 243

four-part structure of, 157–70

handwritten, 157, 245

in healing, 2–7, 135, 157–70

to involve mother in therapy, 234–35

to one’s own inner child, 258–69

position statement through, 233

reading aloud, 165, 170, 173, 177

tapping memories and emotion through, 156–70, 171, 173

unmailed, 157, 235

Lies and Truth exercise, 151, 180

“little adults,” 88–90, 93

loss:

in breaking off contact, 246

of childhood, 88–90, 104, 143, 160, 182

in unloved daughters, 5, 18

love:

defined, 3, 143

doubting one’s own ability to, 5

enmeshed mother’s rules of, 64–67

genuine, 253, 267, 269–70

models for, 267–70

of mothers, see mother love

pity vs., 90

rescue vs., 90, 96

lying, lies:

burning of, 154

in dysfunctional marriages, 92

exercise for challenging, 151–55

by narcissists, 32–34

self-blame as, 180

separating truth from, 151–55

see also false beliefs

marriages:

abusive, 112

of controlling mothers, 72, 73

daughters’, dependent mothers in, 97

daughters’, enmeshed mothers in, 52–53, 56–60, 229–33

of dependent mothers, 92–93

dysfunction in, 5, 17, 27, 60–61, 72, 86

of enmeshed mothers, 53

maternal instinct, 13

maternal responsibility:

abdication of, 87–88, 94, 104

mandate for, 94–96

memories, remembering:

accessing and confronting, 136, 157–66, 184–85

of being loved, 267–70

reliving vs., 166

memory exercise, 267–68

mental illness, in abusers, 119

messages, communication of false, 147–55

mommy blogs, 266

“monster” exercise, 247–48

“mother gene,” 265

motherhood, 5

as entire definition of enmeshed mothers, 54–55

mythical version of, 13–14, 19, 20, 182–84, 244

mothering of mothers, 87–104

checklists to identify, 88–89

see also role reversal, mother-daughter

mother love:

cost of missing, 4

enmeshment vs., 57, 64–67

Freudian tradition of, 13

of good mothers, 3, 65, 263–70

myth of, 13–14, 19, 20, 182–84, 244

taboo of questioning, 13–23, 247

mothers:

healthy behavior of, 43, 54, 60, 65, 69, 127, 128, 139, 140–41, 263–70

unloved daughters as, 52, 68, 103, 110–12, 115–16, 120–23, 125, 263–70

see also unloving mothers; specific types

Mothers Without Borders, enmeshed mothers as, 51

mother wound:

healing of, 9–10, 139–262

identifying of, 13–138

Mummy’s Tomb, The, 29

narcissism:

defined, 24

exalted expectations in, 36–37

roots of, 24, 26, 29, 31–32, 37, 43–44, 47

spectrum of, 25–27

narcissistic mothers, 21, 24–50, 159

ambivalence of, 44–46

establishing of new normal relationship with, 225

expressing desires and needs to, 168

“good mother”–“bad mother” scenario in, 38–47

as impossible to please, 48–49

messages of, 142, 148

new normal relationship with, 238–41

standing up to, 197–201, 204

Three D’s of, 27–38

Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD), 26–27, 49–50

narcissistic rage, 34–38

Narcissus, 24

National Geographic, 247

neediness, 62–64, 68

neglect:

as failure to protect, 105, 110–19, 123–24, 127–30, 233–37

by mothers, 2–3, 4, 105, 159, 264, 265

negotiation, for new normal relationship, 225–38

new normal relationship:

breaking off contact with mother in, 242–52

four options for, 222–41, 242–52

hopefulness for success in, 225, 229, 237–38

meeting challenge of crisis in, 253

mother’s rejection of, 244, 247

negotiating for, 225–38, 243

obstacles to, 224–25

superficial, see tea party relationship

using new skills to reinforce, 223–25

nondefensive communication, 195–205, 206, 211, 215, 218

in breaking off contact, 243, 245, 249–50

lists of expressions for, 200–201, 210

in negotiation, 226

obligation, creating a sense of, 56–62, 66

old age, unloving mother in, 253–54

overprotectiveness, 59–60, 110–12, 115–16

panic attacks, 197

paranoia, narcissism and, 49

partners:

of alcoholic mothers, 98

as catalyst for change, 75

critical, 76–78

dangerous and violent, 104, 110, 114–15

daughters’, enmeshed mothers’ competition with, 52–53, 61–62, 229–33

daughters as replacement for, 65

dysfunction in relationships with, 2, 27, 142, 158, 265

falling for “fixer-uppers” as, 90–96, 172

maternal pattern repeated in, 106

sabotaging of love for, 145–46

seeking validation from, 14

supportive, 129, 170, 263

as target of controlling mothers, 70–75, 217, 243–52

see also marriages

passive-aggressive behavior, 32, 34

passivity, 80, 151, 208

in allowing abuse, 110

people-pleasing, 75, 86, 176, 253

perfectionism, 163

impossible standards of, 3, 76–81, 86, 195

physical abuse, 17, 22, 159

by father, 110, 112–13, 116–19

by mother, 119–23

mother’s failure to protect daughter from, 110

therapy as essential in treating, 136, 159, 226, 237

physical activity:

as release for anger, 187–88

as release for grief, 191

physical boundaries, 207

playground, observation at, 266

position statements:

expressing desires through, 209–10, 212, 223, 231, 243

practicing, 212–16, 218

privacy, disrespect of, 58, 62–65

programming, 139–40

cycle of, 142–44

internalizing destructive messages through, 140–47

protection:

mother’s failure to provide, 3, 105, 110–19, 123–24, 127–30

smothering vs., 265

punishment, 81, 264

rage:

in abuse, 119–23

in healing, 171–72

of narcissists, 34–38

as response to control, 81–85

strategies for controlling one’s own, 120–23

rationalization, for unloving mothers, 9, 16, 18–19

rebellion, as response to control, 84–85

rejection, internalizing of, 17–19

reparenting, 268–70

repetition compulsion, 90, 96, 101

rescue, 90, 96, 103

resentment:

control and, 70

neglect and, 105

respect:

in confronting mother, 231

right to, 209, 263

responsibilities:

in crisis situations, 260–61

of daughters, 193–96, 207

ridicule, 73–74

rights, of daughters, 192, 193–96, 206, 209, 222

rituals, healthy vs. unhealthy, 66

rivalry, see competition

role-playing, in healing, 135, 199–200, 202–4

role reversal, mother-daughter, 22, 87–90, 93, 96–97, 102, 149, 172, 226

sadness:

in breaking off contact, 246

dissipation of, 268

in healing confrontation, 179, 181–82

as response to lost childhood, 104, 182

of unloved daughters, 4, 18, 101, 142

see also depression; grief

safety, 3

lack of, 198

school, 80

scripting, 216, 218–20, 230

secrecy, 17, 99, 103

in sexual abuse, 126, 130

seduction, by narcissists, 41, 43

self-blame:

for abuse, 110

anger at self as, 188–90

overcoming, 158, 179, 180–84, 192

in unloved daughters, 4, 19, 137, 139–55

self-centeredness, 20

as common to all unloving mothers, 105

in narcissism, 24–27, 29

self-confidence, lack of, 38

self-defeating behavior:

acknowledging painful emotions in, 156–70

false beliefs as origin of, 142–55

self-destructiveness, rebellion as, 84–85

self-doubt, 14, 18, 73

as basis of narcissism, 24

in breaking off contact, 246, 251

self-esteem, lack of, 26, 96

self-forgiveness, 189–90

self-image:

damaged by abuse, 116–19

distorted, 18, 118, 140

self-interest, in allowing abuse, 110

self-love, 25

self-recrimination, 188–90

self-respect, 3, 6, 124, 237, 251

self-soothing, 266–70

self-worth, lack of, 109, 114, 237

sex, rebellion through, 85

sexual abuse:

breaking the taboo of, 130–31

memories in legacy of, 128–30

mother as complicit in, 123–30

mother’s failure to protect daughter from, 110, 123–24, 127–30, 233–38

roots of, 123–26

spectrum of, 126

strategy for healing, 130

therapy as essential in treating, 125, 136, 226, 237

triggering memories of, 129

shame:

overcoming, 158, 172, 192

and self-blame, 180–81

sense of, 17, 18, 73, 81, 90, 99, 142

in sexual abuse, 123

shyness, 15

siblings:

caring for, 104

informing of break off to, 250

rivalry among, 47

single mothers, 3, 62

smothering, 4, 21, 149

protecting vs., 265

“stuff and erupt” pattern, 185–86

suicide, contemplation of, 85

support groups, 115, 136

support systems, 156, 157, 170, 263

in breaking off contact, 249, 250–52

in dealing with mother’s illness, 255–60

for mothers, 266–67

tea party relationship, 238–41, 243, 255

distancing techniques for, 239–41, 242

as superficial, 238, 242

telephone:

avoiding use of, 245

benefits of, 218–19

intrusive calls on, 55–56

“terrible twos,” 54

therapists, 171, 239

guidelines for choosing, 127

in negotiating new normal relationship, 226, 233

therapy:

in breaking off contact with mother, 243, 252

as essential in treating abuse, 125, 136, 226, 233–38

group, 118–19

in healing, 136–37, 157, 170, 263

for mothers, 228–29, 237, 243

narcissists’ lack of response to, 49–50

Three D’s of incest (damaged, dirty, and different), 128

Three D’s of narcissism (drama, deflection, denial), 27–38

Toxic Parents (Forward), 5

trauma:

in abusive mothers, 107

of emotional abandonment, 110

trust:

abuse and issues with, 113–16, 126

of self, 265

12–step programs, 136

unconscious mind:

accessing memories from, 136, 157–66, 184–85

programming and, 144–45

reprogramming of, 184, 258

unloved daughters:

changing behavior of, 50, 192–205

as critical perfectionists, 76–81

desire to please in, 48–50

dismissiveness toward, 58, 65, 70, 75, 88, 137, 198

as doormats, 73–75

healing of, see healing

as invisible, 106–9

longing for closeness of, 46, 257–58

as mothers, 52, 68, 103, 110–12, 115–16, 120–23, 125, 263–70

needs and desires of, 206, 256, 258, 261

pitfalls faced by, 14

programming of, 139–40

rationalization by, 9, 16, 18–19, 93–94

rebellion in, 84–85

replicating of dysfunctional patterns by, 1–2, 22–23, 70, 77–79, 121, 191, 264

in responsibility to mother in crisis, 253–62

rights of, 192, 193–96, 206

as scapegoats, 108

self-blame by, 4, 19, 110, 138–55, 158, 179, 180–84, 192

vulnerability of, 86, 177–78

unloving mothers:

as abusers, 119–23

acknowledging responsibility of, 135–36

checklist for determining effect of, 7–8

checklist for identifying, 6–7

criteria for, 3

cutting ties to, see breaking off contact

defending of, 3, 14

and effect on daughter’s life choices, 164–66

facing mortality of, 255

family advocacy for, 249–50

five types of, 8–9, 20–22; see also specific types

in illness, 253–62

legacy of, 2, 6, 8, 22–23, 50

in loneliness and isolation, 253–62

minimizing of, 3, 17, 159

in need and crisis, 253–62

new and changed relationship with, see new normal relationship

in old age, 253–54

rationalization for, 9, 16, 18–19, 93–94, 140

in refusal to get help, 228

repeating pattern of, 1–2, 22–23, 70, 77–79, 121, 191, 264

reshaping relationship with, 6, 192–205

root causes of, 20, 24, 26, 29, 31–32, 37, 43–44, 47, 86, 107

setting boundaries for, 206–21

validation:

denial of, 33

seeking of, 15–17, 95, 182

verbal abuse, 17, 209, 217, 220

violation, sense of, 123, 126

visualization:

in healing, 135

in managing anger, 188

in managing grief, 191

in memory exercise, 267–68

volition, lack of, 74–75

weight gain, 46, 128–29

widows, 65

worry, in creating negative expectations, 111–12

worthlessness, sense of, 36–38

yelling, ineffectiveness of, 186, 218

“you are” statements, 140–41, 152–54