The Mask: From Victim to Victor. How to Recognize an Abuser, Regain Control, and Start a New Life

Learn to identify signs of abuse at early stages. Knowing the mechanisms of codependency will help you regain control of your life and get rid of moral pressure. It’s not by chance that this book ended up in your hands. Perhaps you’ve told yourself more than once that everything is fine, that the situation is normal, that it’s simply character traits— and maybe you want too much. This book is not about criticism or hostility; it’s about the truth. It examines the following key topics:

- The essence of abuse: studying the psychology of the aggressor, the dynamics of violence, and the behavior of the victim.
- A detailed description of common forms of violence, including gaslighting, withholding (withholding communication or affection), neglect, hoovering, love bombing, victim-blaming, future faking, bullying, physical and “decree” abuse.
- The mechanism of codependent relationships: their signs, consequences, causes, and—most importantly—ways out of them.

The book includes exercises and tests to recognize signs of abuse and make a decision in favor of yourself. Let reading become your journey toward self-knowledge, freedom, and strength. Don’t rush, don’t pressure yourself, and don’t be afraid. Just move forward, and I’ll be right here with you, supporting you.

Sincerely,
Mark Barton.
AST Publishing House LLC, 2021.