Daytripper1964,
The worst part about cult-like relationships is that no one really knows what goes on in one. From therapists to friends, even to other relatives, you get a lot of platitudes about forgiveness, taking the good with the bad, etc., and then from the therapists you get the codependent label.
If you basically grew up in a cult, you grew up where your reality was screwed with,
Forum:
Abusive and Controlling Relationships