Relationships
Experts explain the damaging effects of this behavior.
These separate contributions can help maintain a balanced, trusting, and healthy partnership.
However, if your S.O.
It is also abusive when issues of control, submission, and dominance are in play.
If so, theres a chance that they are engaging in overprotective behaviors.
Tzall says that there are a multitude of reasons that could cause this behavior.
Its important to note that there is a line between overprotectiveness and it crossing the border to abusive behavior.
An overprotective person might simply be hypervigilant about you and the relationship, he says.
Your partners past history might also have an influence on whether they engage in overprotective behaviors.
The overprotectee can likely experience adiminished sense of their value and confidence, says Tzall.
The person develops a belief that they are unable to control or change the situation, so they submit.
The couple can grow apart.
It also limits both parties in that they dont learn from the experience of rupture and repair.
When theres a rupture between two people, their connection becomes stronger after its repaired.
The biggest component to remember, Tzall says, is your choice in these scenarios.
[Overprotection] becomes abusive when consent is not observed, he says.
Experts:
David Tzall, Psy.D., licensed psychologist
Jaci Witmer Lopez, Psy.D., licensed clinical psychologist
