Sunday, September 21, 2025

Planning for Personal Change -- The Personal Change Plan Process: From Sad, Scary and Troubled Beginnings; To Learning, Changing and Winning.

 From Sad, Scary and Troubled Beginnings; To Learning, Changing and Winning.

When people first come to DV Tx, they are sad, angry, lonely, disappointed, feeling like The Victim, In Shock from Jail, and generally just dissatisfied with Criminal Justice System -- Police, DA's, Courts, Judges, Probation, and DV Tx Providers

  Whereas the GOAL of DV Treatment is to Participate Consistently and in a Meaningful Way, in order Make some good Changes.

People go from Feeling like it was not my fault, It was their fault, It is the System's Fault, and on and on; to -- if they are successful -- a point where they realize that it doesn't matter who's fault it is... you are in this situation, so you might as well just get through it.

In order to get through it, we need to Learn; we need to change some (a little if not a lot), and we all need to win.

Yet, in such a situation; it is hard to feel like you are winning when you got arrested, cavity searched, insulted, humiliated, embarrassed, tried and convicted, sentenced, insulted again, embarrassed some more, assigned to a P.O. or Jail or Both, and then finally.... referred to DV Offender Treatment.

Then you have to put up with Embarrassing Evaluations, Weekly, Group Meetings, Drug Tests, DV Reviews, Probation Meetings -- and/or Behavior Contracts, Therapy, More DV Groups etc... etc... etc..  

Yet in the midst of this....  everyone still has choices.  Do I make a fool of myself and intentionally NOT do what the Court tells me to do; or do I do it, and eventually, this all becomes a thing of my past.

It seems that one of the smartest things a person could do in this situation would to sign up for DV Treatment, Attend all Intake and Evaluation sessions, attend all groups, attend all Treatment Planning Sessions, and do all the homework, fill out all paperwork, pay the fees, and then start LEARNING And MAKING CHANGES.

The sooner a person starts doing all that is required, and also putting their best effort into learning what ways to prevent DV; the sooner a person makes positive changes, learns more and more, and moves along towards their finish line in a good way.

  Meanwhile, this whole process really gets its wings once a person begins to actually spend time thinking about things such as the following:

  • What are my Risk Factors?   Heck.  What is a Risk Factor?
  • What is Positive Change?  "I'm done living this way... I'm gonna do something about it."
  • What are some Ways I could Plan for Positive Change?  (Thinking about what do I gotta change...???).  Why???  (Why NOT???)  If I make this change, chances are I will feel better, be happier, more productive, others will be happier with me, and my kids and other people will benefit also.
  • What is Personal Change?  Personal Change is changing something about myself, my look, my    actions, my thoughts, my feelings, my people, my life that makes a positive difference.
  • What are some things I could do the Change?  First... Simply Realize that I need to make this change.  And if I fall, then get back up on that horse and ride again.  We must be persistent.
  • Why Do This?  Why Make Personal Change?  Because Personal Change and bettering one's self can be a great start toward putting all this craziness behind you.  So Just Do It!
  • We need to learn how to Prevent DV From happening again in our lives.  Okay then.... What are My Triggers?  What puts me at Risk of another DV Offense?  Things like Anger, Arguments, Intoxication, Drugs, Alcohol, Boredom, Poor Communication Skills, A Lack of Accountability, Resentment, Blaming Everybody Else (but myself), and Shutting it all out can lead to additional DV-Type Thinking and Behaviors.  Getting these things out of my life can help me prevent DV.
  • I need to identify my Cycles of Abusive Thoughts and Behaviors.  Like, let's say I am heading towards another DV Offense... What are some things that happen and or ways that I am feeling or thinking that get me into this trouble.
  • For some of us it is as simple as the person who chose as a mate.
  • For others, it is about DENIAL.  (Which is NOT just a river in Egypt.).
  • And still for others, it's about the things and thoughts that I still do and have that lead towards the Dark side...  Such a Drugs, Alcohol, Playing the Victim all the time, Failing to Communicate, or the people I choose to be around.
  • And then FINALLY ....   How do I PLAN to prevent and/or interrupt my triggers and cycles?  
ALL this comes down to 3 Questions:
   1. The way I am going to prevent abusive behavior of any kind of by:  ?
   2. The way I am going to change my thinking so my thoughts and behaviors will be healthy is by:  ?  and
   3. If I realize I am in danger of Becoming Abusive I will do the following?

And Remember -- If one manages this process successfully; then one might have to successfully apply this same sort of sequence of steps and process toward the successful resolution of a whole other type of challenge.

Saturday, September 20, 2025

Financial Responsibility, Financial Abuse, Economic Abuse and Domestic Violence

Why are we Talking About Financial Responsibility, Financial Abuse, Economic Abuse and Domestic Violence Right Here and Now?  

  Well, it's complicated.  Perhaps the first question to be answered here could be: What does the Domestic Violence Offender Management Board (D.V.O.M.B.) say about Financial Abuse and Economic Abuse?  The D.V.O.M.B. requires that this type of Abuse be included in the Treatment of people who have committed Domestic Violence Offenses.  This is probably because some Research has reported that among couples where Domestic Violence has occurred; about 98% have also included Economic Abuse.

  Additionally, the D.V.O.M.B. also has something to say about people with DV Offenses paying for their own Treatment:

  • "The Colorado Domestic Violence Offender Management Board's Standards and
    Guidelines for Domestic Violence  Offenders states the following:
    • "Section 5.04, 2, B, Item 9, says: "The offender paying for his/her own evaluation and treatment is an indicator of responsibility and shall be incorporated in the treatment plan..."

  This means that in keeping with the D.V.O.M.B. Standards, if a DV Client does not have a Voucher from Probation; she or he must pay their Domestic Violence Treatment Provider for the services provided.  This also means that a DV Treatment Provider cannot and will not successfully discharge any DV Client who has an outstanding Balance.

  Hence, this week's session is about respecting Financial and Economic boundaries in all kinds of relationships from personal Intimate Relationships, to friendships to professional relationships and yes even in treatment relationships.

 

Why is Financial Responsibility important in Domestic Violence Offender Treatment? 

  Clearly, The Domestic Violence Offender Management Board of Colorado feels that Paying for Treatment is somehow germane to, or related to positive Treatment Outcomes.  If nothing else, paying for Treatment indicates that a client has a really good attitude about their treatment. It also indicates that a client values what he or she is learning in treatment.  Finally, paying for Treatment is a good indication of positive change.

  This is also important because Domestic Violence offenses are largely about people not respecting their partner and or not respecting themselves. And in many cases both of the partners are not respecting each other or themselves either.  Without Respect, Relationships typically break apart.  Relationships need a lot of Respect in order to Survive and Thrive.


What do Boundaries Have to do with Domestic Violence; Much Less Economic or Financial Abuse?

  One of the most important parts of learning how to have more respect in relationships is that of recognizing all the different ways that boundaries were being disrespected during a relationship. And then also recognizing ways one can start respecting boundaries in a relationship.

  What are some of the boundary types that are sometimes disrespected -- either openly or even covertly -- in abusive relationships? 

    • Social / Reputational Boundaries,
    • Emotional Boundaries,
    • Intellectual Boundaries,
    • Spiritual Boundaries,
    • Privacy Boundaries, 
    • Sexual Boundaries,
    • Familial Boundaries,
    • Procreational Boundaries,
    • Friendship Boundaries,
    • Educational Boundaries,
    • Vocational Boundaries,
    • Digital Boundaries, and  
    • Financial or Economic Boundaries.

   Today, we are discussing Financial and Economic Boundaries.


What Does It Mean To Be Financially Responsible?

  Being financially responsible means you have a process for managing your money that is productive and in your best interest overall. A cornerstone of financial responsibility is saving to protect yourself and the things you have. Here’s a look at a few other behaviors of a financially responsible person:

    • Understands their costs and income, budgeting to ensure all their expenses are covered
    • Saves money for the unexpected costs that will pop up sooner or later along with future items and experiences
    • Has a healthy attitude toward money, taking a long-term view and living within their means
    • Pay bills on time
    • Manages credit responsibly and looks for ways to cut costs
    • Shops around when making any financial decision to ensure they are getting the most value on expenses
    • Pursues proactive financial education, both understanding basic financial concepts and financial products
    • Has a written strategy, often created by working with a financial professional"(Source.)

 

What is domestic violence? / What is domestic abuse?

  “We define domestic abuse as an incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening, degrading and violent behaviour, including sexual violence, in the majority of cases by a partner or ex-partner, but also by a family member or carer. It is very common. In the vast majority of cases it is experienced by women and is perpetrated by men.

Domestic abuse can include, but is not limited to, the following:

    • Coercive control (a pattern of intimidation, degradation, isolation and control with the use or threat of physical or sexual violence)
    • Psychological and/or emotional abuse [2]
    • Physical or sexual abuse
    • Financial or economic abuse
    • Harassment and stalking
    • Online or digital abuse" (Source.)
    • Others might include: 
      • Property Abuse
      • Child Abuse
      • Pet or Animal Abuse 
      • Emotional Abuse

 

How are Finances and Domestic Violence Sometimes Connected?

  "When domestic violence becomes a national conversation, it’s often only after the curtain is pulled back on an otherwise respected, high-profile celebrity. The ensuing uproar makes headlines for a few days, maybe weeks, and then fades back into news-cycle obscurity. But for the millions of victims of domestic abuse—more than one in four women in the U.S., according to the Department of Justice—these headlines ignore a less-visible, longer-lasting damage wrought by their abusers: financial abuse.

  By blocking or controlling access to financial assets, abusers can coerce their victims into staying with them or coming back if they try to leave, locking them into a cycle of abuse. In fact, “lacking financial knowledge or resources is the number one indicator of whether a domestic violence victim will stay, leave, or return to an abusive relationship,” according to the Allstate Foundation’s Purple Purse, a fundraising and public awareness campaign.”

  “Financial abuse, whether you’re talking about ruining her credit, getting her fired or hiding the money, is just as effective in controlling an abuse victim as a lock and key,” Kim Gandy, president of the National Network to End Domestic Violence, told The Huffington Post.

  Financial abuse is insidious: It can first appear as a considerate offer to take care of the bills, or a casual request to borrow money. But it escalates until the abuser has full control of every bank account, credit card, and paycheck, which means that even if victims escape, they could have no way to rent a new apartment, find a job, or care for their children.

  Unfortunately, it seems that while the majority of abusers have discovered that truth, the rest of society has yet to catch up. A 2014 survey commissioned by the Allstate Foundation found that while 98 percent of domestic-violence victims also experienced financial abuse, 78 percent of Americans had not heard about financial abuse as it relates to domestic violence."  (Source.)

 

What is Financial Abuse?

  "Research indicates that financial abuse occurs in 99% of domestic violence cases. Surveys of survivors reflect that concerns over their ability to provide financially for themselves and their children was one of the top reasons for staying in or returning to an abusive partner."  (Source.)

  "Financial abuse is an aspect of ‘coercive control’ – a pattern of controlling, threatening and degrading behaviour that restricts a victims’ freedom.

  It’s important to understand that financial abuse seldom happens in isolation: in most cases perpetrators use other abusive behaviours to threaten and reinforce the financial abuse.

  Financial abuse involves a perpetrator using or misusing money which limits and controls their partner’s current and future actions and their freedom of choice. It can include using credit cards without permission, putting contractual obligations in their partner’s name, and gambling with family assets. [1]

  Financial abuse can leave women with no money for basic essentials such as food and clothing. It can leave them without access to their own bank accounts, with no access to any independent income and with debts that have been built up by abusive partners set against their names. Even when a survivor has left the home, financial control can still be exerted by the abuser with regard to child maintenance.

  Sadly the vast majority of survivors experience financial abuse at some point."(Source.)

 

Financial abuse might come in different forms including:

  "These are some common forms of financial abuse—and resources to help protect or recover from it.

    • The Abuser “Takes Care” of the Finances. ...
    • Employment Sabotage. ...
    • Economic Exploitation.  (Source.)

 

What is economic abuse?

  "Economic abuse is a situation in which someone harms another person in a close relationship using money or property, for example by controlling how they are able to get or spend money, or preventing them being able to buy things that they need:

With economic abuse, money becomes a way to control the victim.

Economic abuse can also include restricting access to essential resources such as food, clothing, or transport."  (Source.)

 

How might economic abuse impact the victim of domestic violence?

    •   Would the victim of domestic violence have their own car?
    •   If a person doesn't have their own car are they able to get away from an abuser?
    •   What a victim of domestic violence have their own lease or their own property?
    •   If a person doesn't have their own property,
    •   How would they get away from an abuser?
    •   What happens to the children when a victim of domestic violence is trying to take care of the children but it has zero Financial Resources?

 

Ways One Might Overcome Financial Abuse or Economic Abuse in a Relationship: What is shared responsibility?

  From "Stop Playing the Blame Game and Take Responsibility in Your Relationship, by Katie Christy, Wtiters' Corps" we find some wise words about Why Taking Responsibility is Important? 

  "Taking ownership and responsibility for your actions is an important part of healthy relationships. Doing so is an empowering reminder that you have control over the role you play in your relationship. Taking responsibility creates trust and dependability.  When you take responsibility for your behaviors, you demonstrate to your partner your willingness to be honest and vulnerable, which in turns encourages your partner to be open and authentic with you."

  "For you, taking responsibility looks like practicing self-awareness. Another way is being able to apologize and accept that what you do affects your partner. For your partner, taking responsibility looks like having open communication with you about their feelings and being willing to admit they can grow from the hard parts of the relationship. Your partner learns to take responsibility when they own their behaviors and hold themselves accountable to their actions."  (Source.)

 

Economic partnership, Shared Responsibility and Negotiation and fairness. 

  The Equality Wheel from Duluth suggests that healthier relationships often have properties such as partners who practice:

    • Shared Responsibility
    • Economic Partnership
    • Negotiation and Fairness
    • Responsible Parenting
    • Respect
    • Accountability and Trust
    • Equality


Some Ideas on Improving Your Partnership-Ability in your Relationship:

  "Certain behaviors make a difference in relationship happiness. These maintenance behaviors often come naturally, but intentional efforts to engage in them could benefit relationships. Research (Stafford, 2010) underscores the power of these seven behaviors in particular in predicting relationship satisfaction, liking, love, and commitment:

      • Positivity. Express happiness and pleasure when spending time together.
      • Understanding. Listen, forgive, apologize, and refrain from judgment.
      • Giving assurance. Talk about the future; remind your partner what he/she means to you.
      • Self-disclosing. Share feelings and encourage your partner to do the same.
      • Openness. Share what you need or want in the relationship.
      • Sharing tasks. Equitably share responsibilities (e.g., family, household, relationship).
      • Involve networks. Spend time with your partner’s friends and family."(Source.)


So What Was That About the Domestic Violence Offender Management Board of Colorado and Paying for Treatment?

  Seriously consider the following Questions and you should be able to come up with some answers:

    • Why does the domestic violence offender management Board of Colorado require that clients and domestic violence offender treatment be responsible for paying for their own treatment?
    • What are some of the reasons why a client in domestic violence treatment wouldn't want to pay for their treatment?
    • If a client in domestic violence offender treatment does not pay for his or her own treatment, what does that say about that person's emotional investment and putting domestic violence type Thinking,  Feeling Behavior behind him or her?

 $$$ Read More Here about how this could directly impact you $$$

 PLEASE CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE YOUR PAY-AS-YOU-GO Policy and Your Mandatory FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY in DV Treatment WORKSHEET

  If you have any questions about how to pay for DV Sessions, please Text Dr. B. at            719-671-7793 or email him at nepeht@gmail.com.  Thank you.

 

 >>> Always Keep In Mind: It's a whole lot easier on everyone if you just pay as you go.<<<

 

Sources:

https://www.usafrancefinancials.com/resource-center/money/money-matters-why-it-pays-to-be-financially-responsible

https://www.womensaid.org.uk/information-support/what-is-domestic-abuse/

https://www.theatlantic.com/sponsored/allstate/how-money-traps-victims-of-domestic-violence/750/

https://www.womensaid.org.uk/information-support/what-is-domestic-abuse/

https://nnedv.org/content/about-financial-abuse/#:~:text=Research%20indicates%20that%20financial%20abuse,returning%20to%20an%20abusive%20partner.

https://www.womensaid.org.uk/information-support/what-is-domestic-abuse/financial-abuse/

https://www.forbes.com/2010/09/02/women-money-domestic-violence-forbes-woman-net-worth-personal-finance.html?sh=6fbf0c0e1047

https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/abuse

https://www.joinonelove.org/learn/stop-playing-the-blame-game-take-responsibility-in-your-relationship/#:~:text=Stop%20Playing%20the%20Blame%20Game%3A%20Take%20Responsibility%20in%20Your%20Relationship&text=Taking%20responsibility%20in%20your%20relationship%20is%20the%20acknowledgment%20and%20ownership,word%20you%20say%20and%20do.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/meet-catch-and-keep/201501/7-simple-ways-you-can-become-better-partner

https://drbsdvpreventionandeducation.blogspot.com/2022/01/very-important-notice-about-paying-for.html?m=1

https://drbsdvpreventionandeducation.blogspot.com/2022/01/very-important-notice-about-paying-for.html?m=1

Monday, September 15, 2025

The Phenomenon of Jealousy and How it Relates to Domestic Violence

 What is Jealousy?

  Jealousy can be different things to different people.  There could be a situation where one is jealous; or could be a situation where one is troubled by a partner who is struggling with jealousy.  

  One might say that Jealousy is largely about distrust, suspicion, insecurity, fear, loss, pain, paranoia, betrayal, obsession, anger and sometimes eventually stalking and/or violence.  Jealousy is typically not a good thing.

 “It is important to distinguish between envy and jealousy in relationship. How do they differ? Being envious means feeling angry, frustrated, or left out because someone else has something you don't (have). (Whereas) Being jealous is about the fear of losing something (or more typically, someone) that you do have to a third person.”  (SOURCE.)  

 When is Jealousy Unhealthy?

  “When jealousy is intense or irrational, the story is very different. Irrational or excessive jealousy is often a warning sign of a potentially abusive relationship."

  Eventually, jealous people feel so overwhelmed by their emotions and insecurities and other possible psychosocial issues that they exert intense) control over their partners. "They may resort to financial abuse, verbal bullying, and violence to maintain control and alleviate or mask their feelings.

  Unhealthy jealousy is sometimes rooted in fear of abandonment and a worry about not being truly loved.2 Unhealthy jealousy is other characterized by:

Being paranoid about what a partner is doing or feeling

Demanding an account of where a partner has been

Displaying unusual insecurity and fear

Engaging in storytelling and making accusations that are not true

Excessively questioning a partner's behaviors and motives

Following or stalking a partner to confirm their whereabouts

Infringing on a partner's freedom or prohibiting them from seeing friends or family

Reading emails and texts or listening to voicemails expecting to discover infidelity or a lie. 3

  (Source.Ligman K, Rodriguez LM, Rocek G. Jealousy and electronic intrusion mediated by relationship uncertainty in married and cohabiting couples during Covid-19. Cyberpsychol Behav Soc Netw. 2021;24(7):444-449. doi:10.1089/cyber.2020.0669 Texting a partner non-stop when the couple is apart”  

 

People sometimes act irrationally when they are Jealous.  Why?

  People often tend to get very emotional -- if not just very volatile when they ware jealous.   Perhaps the jealousy itself is grounded in a deep emotional wound that they have.  “Theoretically, the  more irrational a person gets jealous… (throwing tantrums etc ..)… the ore likely this person has early childhood issues...“  (Source.)

 On the other hand, some Jealousy is just about power and control and fear of loss. 

 

What Percent of people get Jealous?

  “One study of married couples who sought relationship counseling found that 79% of men and 66% of women defined themselves as jealous.”  (Source).

  

Why do people get Jealous?

“Because they don’t know how to deal with the emotions that they are experiencing... Like perhaps they are afraid of losing their partner and as it gets more intense, they don't know how to handle it.

  Emotions in jealousy can include: Fear, Anger, Anxiety, Nervousness, Envy, Confusion, Loss, Rivalry… Intensity  (Source.)


What Causes Jealousy?

  Some of the causes of jealousy could be: “Anxiety, Attachment issues. Insecurity, Borderline personality disorder, Paranoia, Fear, Lack of confidence and/or Neuroticism” (Source).

 

Is Jealousy always Negative? 

  Jealousy is probably typically negative.  Whereas, at some other times, it could be a motivator for self-improvement -- like motivates a jealous mate to get sober and stay sober, or motivates him to go to school and develop more of a career, and/or it motivates her to start taking better care of herself.  On the other hand, some say that: “Jealousy also heightens emotions, making love feel stronger. In small, manageable doses, jealousy can be a positive force in a relationship”  (Source.). 

 

One way to try and keep Jealousy from going too Negative might be by using Cognitive Defusion:  Click to Watch Video Here.

(Video By Kyira Wackett)


Characteristics of Jealousy?

“While it’s typically perceived as a negative emotion, it is natural to experience jealousy in a close relationship. You may feel suspicious jealousy or reactive jealousy.

The former is based on perception and is often tied to low self-esteem and insecurity, and the latter is based on situations that actually threaten the relationship and is often tied to actions or situations that lead to or cause the betrayal of trust.2

Jealousy can lead to other emotions or feelings. Psychiatrist Nereida Gonzalez-Berrios, MD, explains how jealousy can manifest in relationships:

Acting obsessive

Criticizing

Fault finding

Blaming

Feeling distrust

Being overprotective or suspicious

Experiencing a quick temper

Verbally abusing (Source.).

 

Some Basic Types of Jealousy

Projection Jealousy  --  I'm doing it, so she must be doing it too.

Morbid Jealousy – Othello Syndrome -- An unfounded ongoing belief that no matter who my partner is, she or he is cheating.

And other kinds of Jealousy might include a variety of types  "While there are many forms of jealousy, there are two main categories: normal and abnormal jealousy. The six main types, described by Dr. Gonzalez-Berrios, are:

Rational jealousy: When there is genuine, reasonable doubt, especially when you love a partner and fear losing them, rational jealousy can occur.

Family jealousy: This typically occurs between family members, such as siblings. When a new baby is born, a sibling may feel jealous as the attention of the parents shifts to the new baby, for example.

Pathological jealousy: This type of jealousy is irrational. Unhealthy feelings may result from an underlying mental health disorder such as anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or schizophrenia. Signs of pathological jealousy can include extreme insecurity, as well as a desire to control and manipulate.  (This could include Morbid Jealousy.)

Sexual jealousy: When there is fear that a partner has been unfaithful and has engaged in physical infidelity, you may become suspicious.

Romantic jealousy: This can result from a real or imagined threat to a romantic relationship, resulting in jealous thoughts or reactions.

Power jealousy: This type of jealousy stems from personal insecurity. You may be jealous of someone who has what you want. When a coworker receives a promotion or a reward that you wish to receive, for example, you may become jealous.

Studies conducted on heterosexual romantic relationships found that men tend to feel jealous over a third party’s dominance and are more concerned about sexual infidelity, whereas women tend to feel jealous of a third party’s attractiveness and are more concerned about emotional infidelity.5

(Source).

 

Jealousy and Mental Health

  "Certain mental health conditions can also play a role in feelings of jealousy. Conditions that might be linked to this emotion include:

Anxiety disorders

Attachment issues

Borderline personality disorder (BPD)

Depression

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

Paranoia

Psychosis

Schizophrenia

  If you are experiencing intense jealousy and other symptoms that cause distress or interfere with your ability to function normally, it is important to talk to your doctor or mental health professional.  (Source).

 

How Can Jealousy Relate to Domestic Violence?

Under: "HOW CAN JEALOUSY LEAD TO VIOLENCE?"  The Author(s) wrote: 

“Abusers often use jealousy as a tool for control, monitoring their partner's every move and isolating them from family and friends. This controlling behavior can escalate quickly, leading to emotional and physical abuse.”  (Source).

  Often where there is jealousy a-foot, trust is at its lowest point and this often leads to numerous types of emotionally, verbally and/or physically abusive behaviors.

 “Abusers often use jealousy as a tool for control, monitoring their partner's every move and isolating them from family and friends. This controlling behavior can escalate quickly, leading to emotional and physical abuse.

  In some cases, jealousy can spiral into violent behavior, leading to tragic outcomes such as domestic violence, and even homicide. Regrettably, incidents of domestic and family violence are on the rise"  (Data From Queensland Police Service responding to 138,871 occurrences of such violence in the community during the 2021/22 Financial Year). (Source.).

  Jealousy can begin out of genuine concern for a partner; and eventually lead to violence if it goes down the wrong road.

"The cycle of violence

Jealousy can play a significant role in perpetuating the cycle of violence in an abusive relationship. In the early stages, an abusive partner may look for any reason to start a fight, often resorting to possessiveness, jealousy and attempts to control the other person’s behaviour.

These actions can intensify tensions and escalate into physical, emotional, or verbal abuse in the next phase. At times, the abuser may express remorse and seek forgiveness, using apologies, gifts, or promises to convince the victim to stay in the relationship.

It’s a vicious cycle that repeats itself, with jealousy and possessiveness present in each phase. Recognising these signs early on and seeking help to break the cycle of violence can be a crucial step towards your safety and well-being."  (Source.).


The red flags of jealousy

Identifying these behaviors in a romantic relationship and noting they are problematic is an incredibly difficult thing to do. However, it is up to all of us to recognize the potential signs of relationship abuse (and support those who are experiencing it). Some of these early warning signs include a partner:

Monitoring your every move

Expecting immediate responses to texts and calls

Isolating you from family and friends

Belittling or controlling your behaviour

Blaming you for their actions or emotions

Using threats or intimidation to control you

Ultimately, if you find yourself changing your behaviour so that the person you’re dating doesn’t become angry, that is a clear sign of an unhealthy relationship.” (Source.).


How does one Fix Jealousy?

“Trace it back to its source.”

“Talk to a trusted friend.

Practice gratitude for what you have.

Practice in-the-moment coping techniques -- DBT

Explore underlying issues

Remember your own value

Practice mindfulness.

Give it time.

Talk to a therapist  

(Try to have better self esteem) To combat low self-esteem:

  Remind yourself of things you do well.

  Practice self-compassion (in other words, treat yourself the way you would a close friend).

  Practice daily affirmations or exchange them with your partner.

  Remind yourself of the things you value in your partner and relationship.

  Make time to do things you enjoy.”  (Source).  (Source.)


Originally posted  9/14/2024 

https://youtu.be/uVcxPUZttdI?si=Yw-OEUrD-yEgXNDF 

https://youtu.be/-Wq9eQialmU?si=R5CxWgePvtT_A66s 

https://share.google/vTB42ERoh1jBqaBh7

Natalie Merchant: Jealousy

6 Tips to Overcome Jealousy and Improve Self Esteem | Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Self Help







What is Jealousy? How does Jealousy get to where it seems so Powerful? And why is Jealousy so prevalent in Relationships that have Domestic Violence?

 Jealousy --

  "What does jealous mean? To be jealous is to feel resentment, bitterness, or hostility toward someone because they have something that you don't. This feeling or the state of feeling this way is called jealousy." (Source).

  "Jealousy is the feeling of anger or bitterness that someone has when they think that another person is trying to take a lover or friend, or a possession, away from them." (Source).

  "an unhappy or angry feeling caused by the belief that someone you love (such as your husband or wife) likes or is liked by someone else a marriage ruined by infidelity and jealousy"

  "He was driven crazy with jealousy."

  "He was unable to control his jealousies." (Source).

   How prevalent is Jealousy in Domestic Violence Relationships?

  There is some helpful guidance regarding Jealousy in the article: "Lethality Indicators Possessiveness over victim or severe/morbid jealousy"

  "In a national study on risk of intimate partner homicide, victims of completed or attempted femicide experienced abuse by a partner who controlled all of their activities in 60 percent of cases (Campbell, 2017). The same study revealed that of abusers in those cases, 79 percent were violently jealous, making statements such as “If I can’t have you, no one can.” Georgia’s Project data supports the national findings that severe possessiveness of the victim and intense jealousy are precursors to potentially lethal abuse. In cases reviewed by the Project, perpetrators who went on to kill the victim were known to express attitudes of ownership over the victim 26 percent of the time." (Source).

  "Jealousy is like something that almost always ends up with almost everything feeling bad -- negative, sorrowful, sad, angry, hurt, lost, confused, devastated, and with all that said; it can also -- and often does -- lead to serious tragedy.  And the pain is frequently shared on all sides -- albeit by that point, the people on all sides may not even be talking to each other any more.  

  In other words, Jealousy often causes tremendous pain and in the meantime, it tends to destroy or at least deplete our supply of supports.

  When someone acts out of jealousy, they are essentially saying, "I don't trust you."

  Whereas, their motivation for their jealousy might be as simple as their own insecurity.  But it's projected onto you.

  And perhaps of all, when people are trying to defend themselves against a jealous "partner", they often say of the alleged "Lover", "Oh, we're just friends."  -- As if being is meaningless... worthless... When in fact, many of us probably treasure our friendships more than some of our lovers.  

  

So, What does Jealousy have to do with Domestic Violence?

  Is there a link between Jealousy and DV?

Here is an article: "The Green-Eyed Monster" 

"Jealousy is a complex and often intense emotion that can manifest in a wide range of relationships. Stemming from a potent mix of fear and insecurity, jealousy can be triggered by anything from a flirtatious co-worker to a new job opportunity.

In romantic relationships, jealousy doesn’t always mean that abuse is coming – but it can be a warning sign of something much more dangerous.

From the green-eyed monster to white-hot rage, this article will explore the link between jealousy and domestic abuse, and how to identify problematic behaviours in your relationship.


How can jealousy lead to violence?

While mild feelings of jealousy are common in relationships, it can become a major red flag in the context of an abusive relationship.

Abusers often use jealousy as a tool for control, monitoring their partner’s every move and isolating them from family and friends. This controlling behaviour can escalate quickly, leading to emotional and physical abuse.

In some cases, jealousy can spiral into violent behaviour, leading to tragic outcomes such as domestic violence, and even homicide. Regrettably, incidents of domestic and family violence are on the rise, as evidenced by the Queensland Police Service responding to 138,871 occurrences of such violence in the community during the 2021/22 Financial Year.


The cycle of violence

Jealousy can play a significant role in perpetuating the cycle of violence in an abusive relationship. In the early stages, an abusive partner may look for any reason to start a fight, often resorting to possessiveness, jealousy and attempts to control the other person’s behaviour.

These actions can intensify tensions and escalate into physical, emotional, or verbal abuse in the next phase. At times, the abuser may express remorse and seek forgiveness, using apologies, gifts, or promises to convince the victim to stay in the relationship.

It’s a vicious cycle that repeats itself, with jealousy and possessiveness present in each phase. Recognising these signs early on and seeking help to break the cycle of violence can be a crucial step towards your safety and well-being.


The red flags of jealousy

Identifying these behaviours in a romantic relationship and noting they are problematic is an incredibly difficult thing to do. However, it is up to all of us to recognise the potential signs of relationship abuse (and support those who are experiencing it). Some of these early warning signs include a partner:

  • Monitoring your every move
  • Expecting immediate responses to texts and calls
  • Isolating you from family and friends
  • Belittling or controlling your behaviour
  • Blaming you for their actions or emotions
  • Using threats or intimidation to control you

Ultimately, if you find yourself changing your behaviour so that the person you’re dating doesn’t become angry, that is a clear sign of an unhealthy relationship.


Case Study: Problematic behaviour in a relationship

While physical abuse is often recognisable, it’s important to note that domestic violence can manifest in many other forms. Emotional abuse, for example, may involve a partner who displays jealous behaviours, disguising them as caring or protective actions.

This case of a young woman who wrote into an Australian newsletter column asking for advice about her controlling and jealous boyfriend, serves as an example of how jealousy can be a form of emotional abuse.

“He gets angry when I speak to any other man, he won’t let me wear certain clothing, and he is extremely opposed to my close friendship with a guy at my work. I have to tell him everything I’m doing, and where I’m going, and it just suffocates me.

It’s so hard because my family loves him and he’s such a lovely person. He loves me so much and does absolutely everything for me. When it’s good, it’s great. I am his whole world, so I have this sense of guilt if I ever were to leave, and I just don’t know what to do.”

The woman recognised that her boyfriend's behaviour was problematic, but felt guilty about leaving him because he loved her. Importantly, she also felt like she couldn't talk to anyone about the situation; this feeling of isolation is a common tactic of abusers, who want to control every aspect of their partner's life.

It’s also important to recognise that an abuser is not necessarily going to be someone who treats other people poorly in front of you. While there are no set characteristics that all abusers share, they are typically skilled at presenting a charming facade to the outside world.


How to deal with jealousy in a relationship

When jealousy becomes pervasive and intense, it has the potential to become harmful.

If you recognise the signs of jealousy and coercive control in a relationship, you can seek help. This could mean reaching out to a trusted friend, family member, or professional, or contacting domestic violence hotlines or other resources for support and guidance.


There are many resources available, such as Relationships Australia at 1300 364 277, DVConnect Womensline at 1800 811 811, DVConnect Mensline at 1800 600 636, and 1800 RESPECT at 1800 737 732.

If you are in immediate danger, contact your local emergency service.

Remember that everyone has the right to feel safe in their home – and help is always available.

From controlling behaviours to something just feeling a bit ‘off’, the red flags of domestic violence and coercive control present themselves in different ways for different people. Learn how to spot the red flags of domestic violence in your own relationship – or someone else’s."  (Source.)


What are some of the Motivations of Jealousy?

   According to Psychology Today, "Jealousy in relationships can be caused by various factors", Including":

"Low self-esteem

Insecurity

Obsessive overthinking

Paranoia

Fear of abandonment or betrayal

Desire for control

Unrealistic expectations

Past hurtful experiences

Feelings of anxiety, depression, or low self-worth"  ()


According to:  3 Prime Reasons Why People Get Jealous

How to tell if your suspicions may be legitimate.

Posted September 23, 2014 |  Reviewed by Abigail Fagan

"Key points: While most people experience jealousy on a very occasional and mild basis, others feel it to a pathological degree.

Research finds that men are more jealous about physical infidelity while women are more jealous about emotional infidelity.
One of the three prime reasons people get jealous includes the inability to handle "the unknown."

A little jealousy in a romantic relationship is undoubtedly natural. Certainly, each of us has felt an uncomfortable jealous twinge at some point in a relationship. We feel jealous in such moments because of our sense that a cherished connection we have with another person is threatened, and our fear that a loved one may find someone else to replace us.

While most people experience jealousy on a very occasional and mild basis, others feel it to a pathological degree. For such extremely jealous individuals, their jealousy almost always leads to the end of relationships.

Evolutionary psychologists have spent years researching jealousy. In her review of the literature, Harris (2004) writes that evolutionary psychologists suggest that jealousy might have given a “fitness advantage” for men and women. More specifically, Buss (1995) concluded that a specific set of brain circuits determines a jealous reaction, and found that men were more jealous about physical infidelity while women were more jealous about emotional infidelity.

I appreciate researchers' efforts to uncover gender differences in jealousy because gender differences are often—if not always—at work. Yet in my clinical work with men and women, which often focuses on relationship issues, I have found several types of destructive jealousy among both men and women. Take a look below and see if you’ve had experience with someone who presents any of these types:

Insecurity: Hands down, insecurity is the most common source of jealousy. People often throw around the term "inferiority complex," which is not a clinical term, but refers to an underlying impoverished ego or low self-esteem—a jealous man who feels insecure in his romantic relationships, for example, does not feel confident that he is good and valuable enough to keep another person interested in him over time.

It’s important to note that insecurity is usually not absolute in men and women. In other words, a woman may be bright and highly effective at work as a high-powered lawyer, though her psychopathology (getting jealous) comes out in her romantic relationships. Overall, is she an insecure woman? No, but she has the capacity to become deeply jealous in her romantic relationships.

Obsessive Thinking: A recent female client of mine in her late 20s, whom I’ll call Maryanne, finds herself feeling jealous in almost every relationship she has. Clinically, she also meets several criteria for obsessive-compulsive disorder though she doesn’t meet the criteria for the full diagnosis. Maryanne’s brain tends to work on perpetual overtime, always generating new anxieties and worries. Because this is her general thinking style, her tendency to overthink and obsess about things inevitably seeps into every one of her romantic relationships.

For obsessive types, the hardest thing in the world to manage is uncertainty, aka The Unknown. While most people can handle a fair amount of uncertainty, when Maryanne’s boyfriend comes home late, she can’t tolerate the unknown (why he's late, what he’s been doing). When she feels uncertain about where her boyfriend is, her mind fills in the blanks and generates answers, many of which are negative. Very often, she comes up with facts created out of thin air about her boyfriend’s probable infidelity—and then feels extremely anxious and jealous. If she didn’t have an obsessive cognitive style, she would be a lot less jealous.

Paranoid Personality: Many men and women I’ve worked with get jealous, but their jealousy actually stems from an overall paranoid approach to many things in life. While paranoia at the most severe end of the spectrum takes the form of the schizophrenia-paranoid type, the vast majority of paranoid individuals fall toward the milder end of this spectrum. Many men and women have some paranoid characteristics but their paranoia isn’t severe enough to meet the diagnosis of a full-blown paranoid disorder.

Men and women with mild or moderate paranoia have great difficulty trusting others and often infer malicious intent to others’ motives. They frequently have a personality type that leads them to feel victimized and persecuted, frequently feeling that others are out to get them. They often feel that others are trying to sabotage them, their goals, or their career. They also often perceive that others have put them down, rejected them, or patronized them, even when witnesses tell them otherwise. Finally, men and women with a paranoid personality style are often blamers, assigning blame to others as opposed to looking inward and accepting accountability for their own flaws or mistakes. Too often, they get jealous and grasp onto a strong belief that their partner is cheating—and no amount of evidence can convince them otherwise.

Reality: If you ask a jealous person whether he or she was justified in feeling jealous, he would probably cite several examples where jealousy was actually founded in fact. In other words, a partner really was cheating, or truly did betray him! The question becomes: Is there a pattern of jealousy, or is this an isolated incident? A person can accurately be labeled a jealous person if she (or he) has a history of becoming jealous with multiple partners, many or all of whom did not actually do anything to justify it. If you are in a relationship with someone who’s triggering intense feelings of jealousy in you, ask yourself if you have felt jealous with other partners in the past, or if these feelings stem exclusively from your current relationship.

If you don’t have a history of being jealous, odds are that your jealous feelings in your current relationship aren’t actually a problem. In fact, it might be that your instincts are signaling that you are in a relationship with someone you might not be able to trust. In this situation, you aren’t becoming "the jealous type"; you're more concerned and distrustful. Having a partner label you as jealous when you don’t have a history of jealousy is a sign that your feelings are being mislabeled. In such a case, you’re not jealous; you’re justifiably worried.

Conclusion: The next time a partner engages in jealous-type behavior with you, remember to put the behaviors and feelings in context by considering whether the jealousy is new, or whether it reflects a longstanding pattern. If you’re in a relationship with someone who has a history of getting jealous, understand that the root of this type of behavior—insecurity, obsessiveness, or a paranoid personality—is not going away anytime soon. Working through such deeply rooted issues takes a lot of time and frequently requires intensive psychotherapy. If you have a partner who is willing to go to therapy to deal with these issues head-on, the relationship may be worth keeping; if not, you need to be clear about what you can and cannot put up with in the future. Without clear boundaries, men and women who get jealous can be very bad for your mental health."  (Source.)



How to Prevent Jealousy -- To prevent jealousy, consider the following tips -- or How to Stop Being Jealous: 15 Tips according to Choosing Therapy.com:

    1. "Practice mindfulness meditation to reflect and take things slowly.
    2. Be honest about your feelings and acknowledge jealousy.
    3. Determine the cause of your jealousy.
    4. Seek social support.
    5. Practice gratitude.
    6. Address underlying issues.
    7. Focus on improving your self-esteem and confidence.
    8. Use thought-stopping techniques to catch yourself when feeling jealous.
      • Watch your favorite show or find other distractions.
      • Exercise to release tension.
      • Put your feelings into words.
      • Focus on your strengths."
Other Ideas might include:

1. "Be Patient:  Sometimes, jealousy stems from feeling out of control in situations. We may envy those who have already achieved similar goals, passing and evolving past us. However, remind yourself that everyone moves at a different pace. Staying present with yourself in the current moment can help you accept your current circumstances and feel hopeful for your future.

2. Reflect on Your Jealousy & Make Changes:  Our emotions alert us about inner problems and experiences. For example, your jealousy may indicate where you have unresolved pain or something you greatly desire. Reflecting on what jealousy is trying to tell you may help you heal the issues behind these feelings, make improvements, and find self-acceptance.

3. Practice Self-Love & Compassion:  Struggling with jealousy is easy when you cannot see the good things about yourself. Lack of self-love and grace means you will always feel unworthy, which sets the stage for jealousy. Learning to love yourself will help you challenge and balance jealousy when you feel overwhelmed by envy.

4. Identify Your Triggers:  Experiencing jealousy without recognizing the cause means missing opportunities to manage jealousy in the future. Reflecting on the events that preceded these feelings can help you work backward through the situations to build awareness. When you know your triggers, you can address the underlying issue and respond differently in the future.

5. Build Emotional Intimacy: Focus on building emotional intimacy in a relationship to reduce your feelings of insecurity. Your sense of safety and stability increases when you feel more connected with a person. You can communicate more directly and clearly about your needs and hopes for the relationship. All of these things can reduce your feelings of jealousy.2

6. Revisit Your Expectations: Sometimes, we get jealous because we set unrealistic expectations for ourselves and our relationships. When we do this, we subconsciously compare the current moment to the ideal expectations we have created within our minds. Revise your standards if you constantly and consistently feel jealous about a specific person or situation. No individual is perfect, and setting yourself up for failure will only exacerbate your envy.

7. Recognize the Impacts of Jealousy: Unchecked jealousy rages and wreaks havoc on our relationships and self-esteem. We have little motivation to tackle uncomfortable emotions and situations if we cannot recognize the impacts of jealousy. When you identify what you may lose if you do not address your jealousy directly, you are much more likely to take active steps toward managing and working through the causes of your envy.

8. Forgive & Let Go: Holding on to past events and insecurities contributing to jealousy will only erode your relationships. Permit yourself to forgive someone and move forward if they have taken the necessary steps to apologize and work on themselves.* Doing so can be invaluable when letting go of jealousy."  (Source).


121 Jealousy Quotes to Inspire People in Life and Relationship

Deep Jealousy Quotes in Relationships and Love

“He that is not jealous is not in love.” — Saint Augustine

“Jealousy is the worst enemy of a happy relationship.” — Unknown

“Jealousy is the sister of love, as the devil is the brother of angels.” — Saint Augustine

“Jealousy is always born with love but does not always die with it.” — Francois de La Rochefoucauld

“Jealousy springs more from love of self than from love of another.” — François de La Rochefoucauld

“Jealousy is not so much the love of another as it is the love of ourselves.” — Francois de La Rochefoucauld

“Jealousy, that dragon which slays love under the pretense of keeping it alive.” — Havelock Ellis

“Jealousy is a disease, love is a healthy condition. The immature mind often mistakes one for the other.” — Robert A. Heinlein

“Jealousy in romance is like salt in food. A little can enhance the savor, but too much can spoil the pleasure and, under certain circumstances, can be life-threatening.” — Maya Angelou

Jealousy is a powerful emotion that can cloud our judgment and strain our relationships, but it also offers valuable insights into our desires and insecurities.

By confronting and understanding jealousy, we can turn it into a force for personal growth and self-reflection.

In this post, we have gathered 121 inspiring quotes about jealousy in life and relationship – some offering wisdom on overcoming it, others shedding light on its complexities.

Let these words encourage you to rise above envy and cultivate a mindset focused on gratitude, self-love, and empowerment.


Inspiring Quotes of Jealousy in Life

“Jealousy is a dog’s bark which attracts thieves.” — Karl Kraus

“Jealousy is the tribute mediocrity pays to genius.” — Fulton J. Sheen

“Jealousy injures us with the dagger of self-doubt.” — Terri Guillemets

“Jealousy is the tie that binds, and binds, and binds.” — Helen Rowland

“Jealousy is the fear of losing something that you value.” — Nurudeen Ushawu

“Jealousy is invariably a symptom of neurotic insecurity.” — Robert A. Heinlein

“Jealousy, that jumble of secret worship and ostensible aversion.” — Emile M. Cioran

“Jealousy is an awkward homage which inferiority renders to merit.” — Madame de Puysieux

“To cure jealousy is to see it for what it is, a dissatisfaction with self.” — Joan Didion

“The jealous are troublesome to others, but a torment to themselves.” — William Penn

“Jealousy is, I think, the worst of all faults because it makes a victim of both parties.” — Gene Tierney


 Jealousy Bitterness Quotes for Haters

“Let your haters be your motivators.”

“Jealousy is a form of hatred built upon insecurity.”

“The only time I’m not jealous is when I’m winning.”

“Jealousy is a crutch that weak men use to prop themselves up.”

“Jealousy is just someone realizing they want to be you, but it’s too late.”

“It is not that I’m jealous of your success. It’s that I’m annoyed it wasn’t mine first.”

“Don’t hate me because I am fabulous. Hate me because I’m winning and you’re not.”

“Jealousy is just love and hate at the same time… but mostly hate when you’re losing.”

“People only rain on your parade because they’re jealous of your sun and tired of their shade.”

“I don’t get jealous. I just aggressively compare myself to everyone and feel slightly bitter about it.”

“It’s sad how some people are so jealous and intimidated by you that they only have negative things to say when they know absolutely nothing about you.”

“Jealousy is just love and hate at the same time.” — Drake

“Jealousy is a mixture of love, hatred, and insecurity.” — Salvador Dali

“The jealous bring down the curse they fear upon their own heads.” — Dorothy Dix

“Never hate jealous people. They are jealous because they think you are better than them.” — Paulo Coelho

“Jealousy is never satisfied with anything short of an omniscience that would detect the subtlest fold of the heart.” — George Eliot

“Jealousy sees things always with magnifying glasses which make little things large, of dwarfs giants, of suspicions truths.” — Miguel de Cervantes    (SOURCE.)