12. Subjugation

12. Subjugation

Excessive surrendering of control to others because one feels coerced—submitting in
order to avoid anger, retaliation, or abandonment. The two major forms of subjugation
are:

A. Subjugation of needs: Suppression of one’s preferences, decisions, and desires.

B. Subjugation of emotions: Suppression of emotions, especially anger.
Usually involves the perception that one’s own desires, opinions, and feelings are
not valid or important to others. Frequently presents as excessive compliance, combined
with hypersensitivity to feeling trapped. Generally leads to a buildup of anger, manifested
in maladaptive symptoms (e.g., passive–aggressive behavior, uncontrolled outbursts of
temper, psychosomatic symptoms, withdrawal of affection, “acting out,” substance
abuse).