08/20/2026
One moment there's affection, approval, and calm.
The next there's criticism, withdrawal, or aggression.
This unpredictable pattern can keep you constantly trying to anticipate what happens next.
“Are they upset?”
“Did I do something wrong?”
“Which version of them am I going to get today?”
Patterns of intermittent reinforcement, gaslighting, and emotional manipulation can contribute to confusion, hypervigilance, and loss of self-trust.
You may even find yourself holding two conflicting realities:
“They say they love me… but I feel afraid, small, or confused around them.”
In this Trauma Talks Short, Krystal Boothe, LCSW, explains why the pattern and its impact matter more than trying to diagnose another person.
Your nervous-system response alone doesn't establish that someone is abusive—but persistent fear, confusion, control, and loss of autonomy are important experiences to examine rather than automatically dismiss.
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Watch Full Video Here
https://youtu.be/wdZEvJSm6lg
