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Adults may choose estrangement from an abusive sibling and other family members to heal and feel safe.

Adults abused by a sibling may feel pressure to reconcile.

Reconciliation with an abusive sibling is sometimes possible, but not a safe or good option for everyone.

For now, I’ve chosen to practice distance with love. That’s different from cutting someone off in anger. It’s a more grounded approach to my healing, one that aligns with grace and honors both the pain and the growth. The best I can do is acknowledge the complexity of our shared history and continue choosing my own healing… Healing doesn’t happen overnight, and it’s rarely a straight path.

For now, I’ve chosen to practice distance with love. That’s different from cutting someone off in anger. It’s a more grounded approach to my healing, one that aligns with grace and honors both the pain and the growth. The best I can do is acknowledge the complexity of our shared history and continue choosing my own healing… Healing doesn’t happen overnight, and it’s rarely a straight path.

– Testimonial submitted to the SAARA Story Archive

– Testimonial submitted to the SAARA Story Archive

Estrangement as a Path to Healing

Stories of parental estrangement and low involvement are not uncommon, but similar dynamics also occur for adult siblings with a history of previous or ongoing abuse. A recent study of German adults indicated that almost 30 percent experienced sibling estrangement, and the risk of estrangement increased with age.

Sibling estrangements can occur because of a specific event........

© Psychology Today