03/21/2025
Punishment doesn't have to be big or bold; it can be super subtle and something only you pick up on.
Emotionally immature, narcissistic, and/or abusive people are often petty, passive-aggressive, and very tit-for-tat. A **perceived** injury is all that is required for a person to get "punished."
Punishment in the form of "conditioning" is when an abusive person **teaches** you through blame, deflection, twisting of words, smear campaigns, the silent treatment, adult temper tantrums, name-calling, threatened abandonment, mocking, or something else they know will hurt you.
After a few negative experiences, a victim learns what to say/not say to keep the peace; what to do/not do to keep the peace.
Victims who have been conditioned mentally weigh out everything they say and do to avoid a negative reaction and make sure they are functioning within the abusers designated comfort zone.