see where W learned the behavior. Might this have something to do with W's inability to accept a compliment, like "you really look great in that skirt"?
WHOA! You hit it on the head there! To a person with low or no self esteem, a compliment always seems backhanded. Example:
What you said: "W, you look fabulous in that skirt." (very sincere and with a smile on your face)
What your wife heard: "W, you usually look like you rolled out of bed and didn't think about what you were going to wear. You don't look pulled together and your clothes reflect your scattered brain. Why can't you just get it together?" (Her mind turns everything you say into a criticism because she wasn't complimented growing up. That sort of language isn't in her vocab!
Why do I know this? Because I have the same problem! Working it out in therapy though. Overcoming childhood issues when you don't even realize you have them is nearly impossible without therapy. Has she ever expressed an interest or need for C of any sort for anything?
T19 M15 S19 XH47 M43 bomb12/4/07 PA5/07 S12/26/07 D final 11/17/08 Back together with no defined R 05/2010 confused....to say the least!!!
