Dynamic of an Abusive Relationship

Excellent analysis by JCS, YouTube's Top Criminal Psychology Channel

You Can’t Pick Reality

The public face and the private reality of an abusive relationship often intertwine in a way that allows a victim of domestic violence to live in a fantasy through how others see the couple. It is not real. The bruises are. The broken teeth are.

The public face of the couple

Christy Mack was the girlfriend of MMA fighter War Machine. Yes, he legally changed his name. The pair were an up-and-coming couple in 2013 who made appearances at awards shows and other public events. There were talks of a reality tv show with Bravo. “They both seemed to elevate each other’s profiles simultaneously.” - JCS

During this intense romantic affair, War Machine beat up and threatened to kill Christy Mack repeatedly. He flew into jealous rages and broke her teeth with his punches. She never fought back. How could she? He was a professional fighter.

"He became abusive about four to five months in, but by that time I was totally in love with him," Mack says. "So, so in love. T…