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The bond between a mother and son can be one of the most profound and influential relationships in a child‘s life. However, when the son becomes a man and this bond doesn’t lessen, it can become enmeshed. Enmeshment can lead to substantial emotional and psychological challenges for a mother, son, and any romantic relationship he wishes to pursue. What is Enmeshment Enmeshment is a concept in family therapy where personal boundaries are blurred, and family members are…
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“Maybe I should see a therapist…” – we’ve all had that thought. Whether it’s following a bad break-up, handling years of unhealthy family relationships and interactions, or even after realizing that you hate your job and may need someone to talk to about it. But when is the line crossed from “I can handle this on my own” to “I really need to talk to someone about this”? Unmanageable vs. Uncomfortable Everyone endures anxiety at some point.…
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I think one of the most painful parts of being a human is experiencing heartbreak. Grieving the living is complicated and emotional, and when you break up with a partner; you are often breaking up with a life you had planned as well. It is incredibly normal to have your ex on your mind after breaking up. This person took up a lot of space in your life and without them; your mind doesn’t always know what…
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To know if you are engaging in maladaptive behavior, first, you must have a good understanding of what maladaptive behavior is. There can be a few different types that can affect your life in various ways. Signs of maladaptive behavior include the following: Avoidance of situations Struggling with assertiveness, not being open with feelings Outbursts of anger Noticing yourself not engaging in social activities Using self-harm Misusing substances to cope Types of maladaptive behaviors: Avoidance (typically as…
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What is Breakup Grief? There is no blueprint for how long, what steps are required, or how you should feel when a relationship ends. Breakup grief is the deep-seated pain and sense of loss felt after the end of a relationship. When you are grieving a relationship, you are not just mourning the loss of your significant other, but also the hopes, dreams, goals, and plans you had with that significant other. Following a breakup, you have…
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Five questions to consider if your ex is living rent-free in your mind Despite the fact that there is no official timeline when it comes to moving on from an ex, it is less than ideal when we can’t seem to shake the memory of this person. Thinking about a past partner or the relationship itself is expected and healthy, but can be exhausting when those memories or thoughts seem to be increasingly prevalent. To address this…
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Have you ever wondered if your coping strategies are helping you grow or if they’re doing more harm long-term? Sometimes, despite immediate gratification or relief, our choices for coping are actually causing more of a negative outcome in our lives. We call these: Maladaptive Behaviors. Maladaptive behaviors can start due to a major life change, illness, stress, anxiety, or traumatic event. Our daily lives can bring a lot of happiness and success, but there can also be…
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As we age and life becomes more complex to navigate, our tendency to engage in maladaptive behaviors to cope with such changes can occasionally increase. We are inclined to utilize our most comfortable skills and habits that help us in getting through the day in the easiest way possible using the least amount of effort and resources. But how do we know if these coping behaviors are maladaptive? The American Psychological Association has an excellent definition of…
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In Parts 1 and 2, I introduced coping skills and cognitive restructuring techniques. Hopefully, you had a chance to try them out. Now, I will tie this blog series together through a discussion of core beliefs and acceptance. What are Core Beliefs? In Part 1, I briefly touched upon core beliefs. To recap, core beliefs about a situation can lead to anxiety, and processing these core beliefs can be beneficial. Now, let’s delve deeper into the concept…
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In Part 1, I introduced various coping skills for managing anxiety. I hope you had a chance to try out those techniques. Now, I will discuss strategies to understand, challenge and reframe maladaptive thoughts. This approach is rooted in the principles of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) At its core, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), is about changing the way we think and behave in order to reduce anxiety. It operates on the premise that…
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