On this episode of Narcissist Apocalypse Q&A, everyone.

I am Brandon Chadwick.

And today we are going to discuss the many different reasons why people stay in

abusive relationships. And this is really like an anti-shame episode when it comes down to it.

And before we get to our episode, if you want to be a guest

on our Survivor Story episodes, please do go to our website at Narcissistapocalypse.com. Top of the page,

there's a button that says guest form. And when you click on that button, it takes you to our

guest form page. There you can read all of our instructions and either send us an email at Narcissist Apocalypse

at gmail.com or fill out our guest form and press the submit button and please do send it

in the format that we ask for. So today we're going to be talking about why people stay in abusive

relationships and there are a myriad of different reasons why people stay in these relationships. And there are a myriad of different reasons why people

stay in these relationships. But I just first want to kind of center on one thing that is common

for everyone. And that is routine. And we are creatures of habit and routine. And we have healthy routines, and we can have unhealthy

routines, regular routines. And sometimes we want to break those routines, but those routines

are habits. And it's very difficult to break a routine once you are in it for a very long time.

So when it comes to the abuse cycle, a cycle can become routine.

And as this routine or cycle continues, it's harder to break it.

And you'll feel more stuck than ever before.

And when it comes to the abuse cycle and the trauma bond, what happens is you're getting

this emotional attachment between yourself and the abuser.

And you have this very complex situation because abusive behaviors are happening, control and power are happening,

but then there are these feelings of love that you have for this person. You might admire

...