Possible Symptoms

Relationship problems are endemic amongst covert incest survivors. They often fall for the
wrong type of partner—someone who is a replica of their invasive parent. Thus, their
emotional needs remain unfulfilled which leads to unhappy relationships.

Because of the conflicting emotions that result from growing up with an invasive parent,
survivors usually find themselves both attracted and repulsed by members of the opposite
sex (or same sex, depending on their sexual orientation and gender of the invasive
parent).

In addition, since the atmosphere in which they were raised was sexually charged, it is
common for survivors of covert incest to use sex as a means to intimacy. This can result in
sexual addiction or other types of dysfunctional behaviors as an adult.