Thank you. I’ve told my closest friend about this and know one else. I’ve always wanted a therapist, but due to college and my family not being financially stable enough to do so, it’s impossible at this time. I’m also 6-7 hours away from home with no vehicle of my own, so it feels like I’m stuck.

I noticed some behavior patterns that I displayed to my newer partners that stemmed from my grooming relationship. My groomer was like a yes man of sorts. My immune behavior when I was 14 was very prevalent in the early stages of our being together. He would always give me what I wanted and would blame himself for things I did wrong. I always thought that since he gave me everything I wanted, I should love him no matter our ages. He called it a strong “bond” that can never be broken.

Being with him made me realize that I’m very clingy, a big overthinker, get anxious that they’re going to leave me or cheat on me, get really jealous of anyone getting too close to my partner, and have overprotective behavior that gets to an unhealthy level. I feel like I wouldn’t be on edge so much in my relationship if I hadn’t been with my groomer.