Abandonment Quote by David Richo
““What scares us ultimately may not be closeness itself but the feelings it evokes. For someone with a fear of engulfment, closeness may set in motion an old, familiar cycle in which closeness led to abandonment or abuse. Now we believe, cellularly though not necessarily intellectually, that if someone gets close, he will abandon or abuse us.””
About This Quote
Source Book: “The Shadow Side of Love” by David Richo, 1998
Fear of closeness stems from past abandonment, leading to avoidance despite desire for intimacy.
In simple terms: Past hurts cause intimacy fear.
Key Takeaway
Address past wounds to embrace closeness.
Themes
psychology
relationships
trauma
Mood
reflective
cautious
Type
therapeutic
insightful
When to use this quote
- therapy
- dating
- family dynamics
Key Concepts
attachment theory
emotional cycles
Questions to Reflect On
- What patterns repeat in your relationships?
- How can you safely explore closeness?
A Different Perspective
Healing may be slow and painful.
