Articles
All articles by Anne Dranitsaris, Ph.D.
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YOU GIVE SO MUCH. WHY IS IT SO HARD TO RECEIVE?
The hidden relationship rule that makes appreciation feel undeserved
Have you ever had this experience? Someone tells you that you look beautiful, and you make a joke about the lighting. Someone compliments your work, and you immediately point out what you could’ve done better. Or Someone says they couldn’t have managed without you, and you respond, “Oh, it was nothing.”
ARE YOU CARRYING THE RELATIONSHIP INSTEAD OF BEING IN IT?
How unconscious relationship rules keep you overfunctioning, waiting, and losing yourself
A relationship can survive for years on the effort of one person. The devastating moment comes when we finally realize we are the only one keeping it alive.
You initiate the important conversations because your partner avoids them. You monitor their moods so you know when it is safe to bring something up. You carefully choose your words, trying to prevent defensiveness or withdrawal.
HIGH-ACHIEVER IMAGE, LOW-STANDARDS REALITY
How Narcissists Make Their Partners Carry the Load
People who have a narcissistic persona have cultivated an image of success, brilliance, ambition, and exceptional capability. On the surface, they appear to be high achievers: confident, driven, impressive in social settings, and eager to showcase their supposed accomplishments. But beneath that polished exterior lies a striking contradiction.
NARCISSISM, CODEPENDENCY, AND THE UNWRITTEN RULES BEHIND RELATIONSHIP CONFLICT
When Love Feels Right—but Turns Wrong
Have you ever been drawn to someone who adored you instantly, only to find it became one-sided, with you expected to build them up while getting little in return? Or maybe you were praised for being so loving, caring, supportive, and giving—only to find that what was once appreciated quickly became expected, as if you were no longer allowed to be anything else.
This is the dynmic of the narcissistic persona and codependent persona.
Are You An Emotional Manager?
When Empathy Becomes Self-Protection
Emotional managing is not simply “being sensitive,” “being caring,” or “being the strong one.” It is a self-protective pattern organized around safety.
When the amygdala detects risk, your attention shifts outward. You start scanning faces, tone, pauses, and body language, trying to figure out what is wrong and what you need to do to make it better. You may over-explain, backpedal, reframe, caretake, or offer solutions before anyone has even said they need them.
All other articles are currently available on my Substack at https://annedranitsarisphd.substack.com/