Each of us reacts differently to the events and situations we experience. Even though our reactions, behaviors and thoughts are approved by some people, they may surprise or be deemed incorrect by others. Even if different individuals experience the exact same event, their feelings, thoughts, behaviors and body sensations will never be the same.
Positive or negative events experienced since childhood form mental patterns called schemas. Our self-perception, other perception and perception of success are shaped by the impressions we have acquired since our childhood and become stereotyped over time.
Three basic factors play a role in the formation of schemas;
-
Failure to meet basic needs
-
Failure to meet basic needs during childhood and adolescence - which will later lead to basic needs not being met during adulthood-
-
Good things are presented to the person at an exaggerated rate.
A person may have many schemas towards the people and situations he is in. While some of the schemas affect our lives positively, some affect our lives negatively, and the schemas that we need to take control of are the ones that negatively affect our lives.
Schema therapy was developed by Jeffrey Young as a unique school within the Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy approach.
The definition of schema therapy can be made as follows, according to Young:
“It is a cognitive, behavioral, interpersonal therapy designed for psychological disorders that are difficult to change and have clear origins in childhood and adolescence (such as borderline personality disorder). An integrative theory and treatment approach that combines and experiential techniques.”
There are 18 basic schemas, and Young named them Early Maladaptive Schemas. These are;
1- Abandonment Schema
2- Skepticism Schema
3- Emotional Deprivation Schema
4- Defectiveness Schema
5- Social Isolation Schema
6- Dependency Diagram
7- Durable Failure Diagram
8- Adhesion Diagram
9- Failure Diagram
10- Approval Seeking Schema
11- Submission Schema
12- Self-Sacrifice Schema
13- Entitlement Schema
14- Insufficient Self-Control Schema
15- High Standards Schema
16- Pessimism Schema
17- Emotion Suppression Schema
18- Punitiveness Schema
While explaining the subject of schema, it is necessary to mention the concept of Schema chemistry. Schema chemistry means that you determine the people you bring into your life in your relationships according to your existing schemas. For example, individuals with a defective schema feel worthless and may allow others' behavior to devalue them. They may stay away from social environments so that people do not notice their flaws. But these individuals may also turn to people who abuse them emotionally or sexually when choosing a partner. They may choose a partner who humiliates them or acts aggressively.
Or individuals with abandonment schema are more likely to enter into relationships with individuals who are likely to abandon them or who will make them feel abandoned.
Each of us can have schemas, what is important is to what extent and in what direction these schemas affect our lives. Schema therapy aims to identify dysfunctional schemas that have been stereotyped since childhood and are not easy to change, and to make them more positive and functional. We can also use schema therapy to treat almost all mental health problems.
Now is the time to take control of your life and make a positive change.
Read: 0
