When a partner takes credit for everything you do, it feels like a constant erasure of your contributions, achievements, and even your identity. It’s a betrayal of trust and partnership. Instead of a relationship built on mutual support and acknowledgment, it becomes one where you’re continually giving, only for your efforts to be attributed to someone else or even to simply vanish in the background. That can be deeply demoralizing, making you feel unappreciated and invisible, even though you’re the one holding so much of the relationship’s weight.

This pattern often signals a lack of empathy or respect from the other person, as they prioritize their own image or ego over the partnership’s authenticity and balance. Over time, this dynamic can lead to real psychological wear—causing you to question your worth or feel a sense of resentment and exhaustion. When someone constantly absorbs your efforts and pretends they’re their own, they’re not just taking credit; they’re diminishing your agency and self-worth in the process.

It takes strength to keep contributing in a dynamic like this, especially when you’re not getting the acknowledgment or appreciation you deserve. If you’re looking for ways to manage this, reclaiming your own narrative—by openly discussing your contributions, affirming your worth to yourself, or setting boundaries—can be a powerful step. Whether or not the other person acknowledges it, you can reinforce for yourself and others that your efforts are valid, valuable, and real. Surrounding yourself with people who see and respect your worth can be incredibly affirming as well. Remember, you deserve to be in relationships where your contributions are respected, your efforts celebrated, and your presence truly valued.