Coercive Control in Relationships: A Hidden Form of Abuse
A therapist shares a case study of a woman who struggled with disordered eating, only to discover that her partner's controlling behavior was the root cause of her issues.
## The Hidden Patterns of Coercive Control Coercive control is a subtle yet insidious form of abuse that can be difficult to recognize. Unlike physical violence, it often involves repeated, subtle behaviors that can be inflicted with the victim's seeming agreement. This pattern of behavior can have severe psychological impacts on the victim, including low self-esteem, anxiety, and a distorted view of themselves and relationships. ## A Case Study: Uncovering the Root Cause of Disordered Eating Ali, a young woman, initially sought therapy for disordered eating. However, as her therapist worked with her, it became clear that her eating issues were not the primary problem. Instead, they were a symptom of a deeper issue: a relationship built on control. Ali's partner had used food as a mechanism of control, encouraging her to restrict her eating and exercise excessively. He also used other forms of control, such as jealousy, watching her bank transactions, and insisting on going to all her social events. ## The Impact of Coercive Control The impact of coercive control on Ali was severe. She experienced anxiety, low self-esteem, and a distorted view of herself and relationships. She felt frozen when she believed she displeased someone and had poor self-esteem. Her therapist used a simple ABC model to help her understand how her partner's behaviors had influenced her to give in to him. They also worked on reframing her "stuck points" and creating a checklist for healthy relationships. ## Recovery and Healing Recovery from coercive control is not a linear journey. However, with the help of her therapist, Ali was able to stop blaming herself, feel more confident in her body, and show up in the world just as she was. Her therapist used a cognitive behavioral approach to help her manage her anxiety and develop new coping strategies. Ali was also able to reconnect with her friends and find support from them. ## Resources for Help If you or someone you know is experiencing coercive control or disordered eating, there are resources available. In Australia, the Butterfly Foundation can be contacted at 1800 33 4673. In the UK, Beat can be contacted on 0808-801-0677. In the US, help is available at nationaleatingdisorders.org or by calling ANAD's eating disorders hotline at 800-375-7767. Other international helplines can be found at Eating Disorder Hope.
