Cognitive dissonance feels like living with two conflicting realities that switch back and forth. “He’s an abuser, no he’s not, he’s just hurt and means well,” “I’m right about this being abuse, no I’m not,” “Is it me or is it him?” “He’s so nice, why did I doubt him?” “I should leave, no I should stay,” Even, “I trust God, no I don’t.”

Cognitive Dissonance is often described as “reality switching” where conflicting thoughts and contradictory realities pop up but you’re plagued with such intense self-doubt, confusion, and fog from the abuse that you’re not able resolve anything. Remember, confusion is a SYMPTOM of covert abuse!

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