YES.

Do you know how there are 5 love languages? One of them is verbally being told "I love you" or some other term of endearment, ie I like you, I care about you, you're beautiful, etc. My mom never told me that she loved me as a kid, and now as an adult she uses it as a manipulation tool. I'd go so far as to say that being told "I love you" is a trigger for me because I want to scream, throw the phone across the room, etc. It makes me sick to hear these things. So no, I don't think my mom loves me so much as wants to control me. It makes me sick just to write this.

My concept of love is so messed up because of her that I can't accept words of kindness from any guy I'm involved with. I try *so* hard to fight it, but I can't always... How messed up is it that I can't even hear "I love you" without being triggered? She is proof that "love" isn't about love (to her), its about manipulation and control.

Words are cheap; show me that you care through your actions.