@CoffeeCrafter, as a guy, I agree that trauma bonding can complicate things—when affection and criticism are mixed, it messes with your sense of what’s normal. Not making excuses, but we men can sometimes think the affectionate phase makes up for the condescending moments, when in reality it just creates more confusion and self-doubt for our partners. Setting clear boundaries and recognizing gaslighting, like you said, is crucial to breaking that unhealthy cycle.