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Johanna Rozenblum (clinical psychologist)
Have you heard of “prowling”? This tendency observed in certain romantic relationships is very toxic and has many consequences. A psychologist shares with us the risks of this situation!
Among all the toxic practices prevalent in romantic relationships, a new one has been identified. It is “prowling”, a behavior that must be avoided at the risk of losing self-confidence. Psychologist Johanna Rozenblum tells us more about the consequences of this toxic phenomenon!
What is this toxic practice?
THE “prowling” comes from English and means “to prowl”. In psychology, this word refers to the act of jumping into and investing oneself in a romantic relationship quickly, then walking away without giving any further news or explanations. The person who practices “prowling” plays with the other’s emotions by coming back into their lives from time to time. But what exactly does the “prowler”” ? Although he disappears quite suddenly, he will still continue to monitor his victim from afar, always giving her hope. When he thinks she is going to move on, he suddenly reappears in her life, before being absent again. Thus, “prowling” is a mixture of “orbiting”, which consists of spying on your ex on social networks, and “ghosting”, or in other words, completely cutting ties with someone overnight.
Feel good in your body, feel good in your head!
Why should we be wary of it?
“This practice is extremely intrusive, unhealthy and toxic” assures psychologist Johanna Rozenblum. “It generates a relationship of control in which the manipulator creates strong sensations through mechanisms of ultra-presence then disappears for a period of time to finally return some time later.” explains the expert. “The goal is to create attachment and dependency to reinforce the need”. A situation in which the victim often feels immense disappointment but also a lot of incomprehension when the person returns. In the long term, this practice can completely affect the victim’s self-confidence.
How to get rid of it? Often, when you are faced with a toxic relationship, the hardest part is realizing it. Once you have become aware of how harmful the relationship is to yourself, you absolutely have to flee from it. Furthermore, as with narcissistic perverts, you should neither try to understand those who apply the method of “prowling”or make excuses for them. Stop responding to that person and focus on those who are there for you!
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