Written By Dr. Nima

On December 9, 2024
Thumbnail for loop of doom blog
We get into relationships  because we want to connect.
Life is about love after all.
 
But after the initial honeymoon phase,
sh*t begins to get real.
Imagine being caught in a pattern where
no matter how hard you try to connect,
you end up feeling more disconnected.
 
This is the “power struggle” phase
where things get stuck in what I call “the loop of doom”.
 

See if you can relate:

You’re stuck in a relational pattern that feeds on itself,
leaving both partners feeling unseen, unheard, and unloved.
 
Every interaction seems to deepen the disconnection rather than repair it.
 
Here’s how it unfolds:

Step 1: A Trigger Sets Off the Cycle

One partner feels emotionally unmet—

they feel either ignored, criticized, or dismissed.
 
This pain activates attachment wounds,

rooted in fears of abandonment or rejection.

 
  • The Pursuer reacts by criticizing,
    demanding, or pushing for connection.
  • The Withdrawer feels overwhelmed and retreats,
    avoiding conflict.
 

Step 2: Reactivity Builds

The pursuer’s heightened anxiety and demands

trigger the withdrawer’s defensiveness or stonewalling,
which feeds back into the pursuer’s fear of disconnection.
 

The cycle spirals:

  • The Anxious Pursuer: “Why don’t you care about me?”
    → Gets louder, angrier, more desperate.
  • The Avoidant Withdrawer: “I can’t deal with this.”
    → Pulls away further.
 

This loop of doom is INFINITE

—a relentless cycle of blame,
defensiveness, and unmet needs,
 
where both partners stay stuck in survival mode.
 
This is what I believe is responsible for the majority
of anxiety and depression in our society.
Add in auto-immune issues and addictions.
 
They can all be traced back to this exhausting loop.
 

If nothing shifts, you’ll go to step 3.

Step 3: Both Partners Stay in the Loop

Here’s the kicker:

  • The Pursuer feels increasingly rejected and alone.
  • The Withdrawer feels suffocated and unworthy,
    “not good enough” is all they hear and see.
 

Underneath the surface,

both are desperate for the same thing:
 
Safety, love, and connection.
 

(Pretty crazy isn’t it).

But their unresolved triggers

and emotional illiteracy keep them locked in this cycle,
 
unable to break free.
 
TALK THERAPY VENTING YOUR SIDE OF THE STORY
DOESN’T CHANGE ANYTHING.
 
Watching youtube videos, listening to podcasts,
even reading this message that warns you of what’s happening

is helpful— but doesn’t shift it in real time.

Without addressing this pattern at it’s ROOT:

• For the Pursuer:
You feel like you’re shouting into a void.

  • You’re constantly overthinking and overgiving,
    trying to fix the relationship.
    You constantly feel alone.
  • Your emotional needs feel like a burden,
    so you suppress them or demand them, leading to rejection.
  • You’re exhausted, bitter, and resentful from always chasing.
 
 
• For the Withdrawer:
You feel like you can never get it right. NOTHING is good enough.
Nothing counts— because "they’re always complaining.”
“I can never win!”
  • You avoid conflict because it feels like walking into a trap.
  • You pull away to protect yourself, but it only deepens the disconnection.
  • You’re stuck in shame and inadequacy, believing you’ll never measure up.
 

Both partners feel trapped, powerless, and hopeless.

Here’s the hard truth:

You can’t escape the infinite loop of doom by staying in blame

or waiting for your partner to change.

To break the cycle, you must:

• Understand Your Triggers:
Learn to identify the deeper fears driving your reactions

(e.g., fear of abandonment or failure).

• Develop Emotional Literacy:
Gain the ability to feel, process, and communicate your emotions effectively,

instead of reacting or shutting down.

• Practice Ownership of becoming Trigger-Proof:
Shift from blaming your partner to taking responsibility

for your own unresolved wounding and contributions to the cycle.

• Create New Patterns Together:
Move from blame-defend or pursue-withdraw to understanding,
empathy, and connection. Instead of feeling like two siblings arguing

all the time, you CAN ease into mature and connected relationships.

LUCKILY, there’s an off ramp to this infinite loop.

Imagine a relationship where:

  • Arguments don’t spiral out of control—
    they turn into moments of repair and connection.
  • You no longer chase or avoid each other—
    you meet each other in the middle.
  • You feel calm, grounded, and secure in your own skin,
    regardless of your partner’s moods.
  • Your home becomes a sanctuary, not a battlefield.
 

Breaking free from the infinite loop of doom

doesn’t just improve your relationships—
it transforms your life.
 
Your health shifts, auto-immune symptoms go into remission,
anxiety calms,
and you begin to trust yourself and feel like you’re alive, confident,
and not so concerned with
what others think of you.
 
If you’ve been caught in the infinite loop, just know you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be.
You’re not at fault, there’s no blame involved.
Most couples stay stuck in the loop for decades
until they get sick or break up.
 
You CAN break free from this power struggle,
and feel the safety of secure, mature love.
 
It’s your birthright, even though you may have been conditioned for insecurity.
 
You deserve it.
 
Your wingman on the adventure,
Nima
P.S.
If you’re ready to uncover the blind spots keeping you stuck in this cycle, 

I’m offering a free Blind Spot Session (normally $497).

In just 30 minutes, I’ll help you:

• Uncover the energy you’re unconsciously putting out.
• Identify the triggers and patterns keeping you stuck.
• Learn the shifts needed to step into secure, authentic relationships.

This isn’t about blame—it’s about clarity.

Real change doesn’t happen by venting or waiting for your partner to change. 

It happens when you’re willing to see the truth and take ownership of your side of the dynamic.

Reply with your back story, 

the kind of work you’ve done to address it, 
what you do for work now, and what you want to accomplish. 
 

Finish with, “Nima, can I get your private calendar link?”

If you’re ready to face your blind spots, I’d love to help you break free.

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