Michael “Robby” Robinavitch victim of child abuse theory
Robby experienced forced parentification—forced to take on adult roles, providing instrumental and/or emotional support as a child.
Some signs of forced parentification that Robby displays (although we must keep in mind that these could also be symptoms of related or unrelated depression, PTSD, and other disorders):
Feelings of guilt, anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. We’ve seen all of these play out in the two seasons.
Like to feel in control. Robby likes to be in control to the point of being insubordinate (towards Gloria); reacts combatively when Al-Hashimi seemed to challenge his control; and he berates himself when he loses control (as evidenced by S1 Pittfest).
Difficulty expressing personal needs or desires. We saw that even in Season 2, at the verge of breaking down and increasingly painful and disruptive mental crisis, he could not ask for or accept help, even from the people closest to him (Dana and Jack).
Feelings of guilt or shame if they are unable to meet the needs of their parents or siblings. And as they displace and projects their childhood relationship with their family to adult relationship between themselves and the ppl they care for, this can lead to guilt or shame whenever they cannot meet the needs (no matter how absurd objectively) of anyone they deemed to be in their care. Robby’s breakdown in S1E13 is a very good example of this—his heightened and somewhat unjustified guilt towards Nick (fentanyl overdose), Amber (drowning victim), and then Leah, as well as his continued guilt towards Adamson.
Often find themselves becoming a caregiver for others. He became a doctor.
Heightened sense of empathy and an ability to more closely connect with others. This needs no elaboration.
Struggles to form healthy relationships or set boundaries. We’ve seen failures of Robby’s relationships: with Janet, with Collins, and his fling with Noelle. While he preaches setting boundaries between hospital and home, between doing their best for patients and letting them go, he himself cannot not manage it.
Isolation from others. No one else knew about Robby’s mother (leaving him), not even Dana, throughout all the time they had known him. Because he sincerely believes that “it doesn’t matter” and “no one cares”.
Perfectionism. Again, very evident. I really want to give him a quote from East of Eden: “now that you don’t have to be perfect, you can be good.”
I could elaborate more if anyone is interested.
