The Answer.

Dear Hooked on Domination:  Oops, I mean Hooked on Kathleen. I think I made a Freudian Slip, no? (For more on Freudian Slips, go to our All About Freud page.)

Seriously, Mr. Hooked, I sympathize with you. I have been in a similar place myself. It is a very tough place to be in—to be in love so much, and yet compromising so much. The love feels so good, it almost makes the compromise tolerable. However, unhappiness and hostility are guaranteed to build up. For your own sanity and health, you must talk with Kathleen about your knowledge of her sexual relationship with another man. I don't see any way out of that. To do otherwise would be risking your own health.

In addition, it is time for you to start working on your contribution to this type of relationship, because you are likely to repeat this scenario over and over until you learn enough about yourself and your programming to create a different balance in your relationships with women. Kathleen is unlikely to change just because you start living together.

Is it a natural human condition to put up with crap to get what appears to be love? Sort of. We all seek attention. It is a core human trait. A long, long time ago (in the 1940s), researchers such as Rene Spitz proved that physical touch was required for human infant survival. It was also discovered that as we get older, we can get the same "stroking" from verbal feedback.

So, verbal remarks can substitute for actual, physical strokes. It doesn't matter as much when we are younger whether the verbal stroking is criticism or praise because it is attention. However, if the verbal strokes we receive are primarily "cold pricklies" (a transactional analysis term), then we learn to look for them because we equate cold pricklies with love. The earlier we are programmed to feel that we deserve such put-downs all the time, the harder it is for us to get out of the habit of putting up with unjustified criticism or even seeking it.

Your dependency equation goes like this -- Someone taught you well that love is cold pricklies. Kathleen gives you cold pricklies. Kathleen must love you.

By writing to me, you may have started to find a solution to your dependence on disapproval. For a more complete fix, I recommend doing some reading and getting some help. It is time to start looking for "warm fuzzies" (another transactional analysis term).

I hope that helps. Take care, and thank you for writing!
Posted by:  Ron Sterling, M.D.   Read our Disclaimer.

   The DateGuru™ Archives.

To view archived DateGuru™ questions, answers, and links, indexed by subject matter, Click Here.

   About DateGuru™.

DateGuru.com™ is where Dr. Sterling posts links and answers to questions about dating and developing relationships as a single person. Please feel free to submit questions or comments to Dr. Sterling about dating. The identities of all readers will be kept strictly confidential and we will use our best efforts to insure that no information will be contained in any published question or answer that might disclose the identity of any reader or any person associated with the reader's question. Dr. Sterling is the only person authorized to read e-mail sent to DearShrink.com. For further information about your responsibilities when sending e-mail questions to Dr. Sterling and our Privacy Policy, click here.

   Would You Like to Schedule an Appointment With Dr. Sterling?

• Office Appointments are Available. Dr. Sterling has appointments available at both his at his Bellevue and Seattle Downtown offices. Feel free to call Dr. Sterling at 206-784-7842. You will often reach him directly.

   Would You Like Online or Telephone Support and Counseling?

• Online Dating and Relationship Counseling. Dr. Sterling offers e-mail, Internet chat and telephone counseling for your dating and relationship concerns and questions. Check the Online Help page to read more about Dr. Sterling's online and telephone services and how to purchase them.

• Dr. Sterling Has 29 Years of Counseling Experience. Dr. Sterling has been around, but that doesn't make him just older and wiser. He has been married; he has been divorced. He knows a lot about the highs and lows of dating and single life matters and the relationship issues that can challenge us. His experiences and training give him a balanced perspective that could be called younger and more creative. Dr. Sterling is a caring healthcare provider and advisor who makes a strong commitment to his clients, and who has a sense of humor. For more information about Dr. Sterling, please go to his Biography Page.

   Want Mate Advice?

The MateGuru™ Web site is where Dr. Sterling posts links and answers to questions about partner, marital, parenting, and family matters.

   Sex, Sexuality, and Sensuality Advice and Information.

Check ErosGuru™, the Web site where Dr. Sterling posts links and answers to questions about sex, sexuality, and sensuality. If you are below 18 years of age, please do not visit ErosGuru™ without Parental Permission.

   Seeking Answers to General Questions About Mental Health Care?

Psych Answers is the Web site where Dr. Sterling posts links and answers to questions about mental health, psychiatry and psychotherapy.

   Want Advice About Senior Mental Health or Caregiver Support?

SeniorMentalHealth.org is the Web site where Dr. Sterling posts links and answers to questions about mental health and the elderly and caregiver concerns. Dr. Sterling completed a Geriatric Psychiatry Fellowship in June 1999 and is a Member of the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry.

   Thank You for Stopping By!

Thank you so much for visiting this DateGuru Web page. Please check back often for new questions, answers, and links.