Coping Styles

Question 1

Over-compensation

Answer 1

Behaviour: Show behaviour that is opposite (and often exaggerated) to the schema.

Thoughts: Opposite to the content of the schema as well. the patient denies that he has the schema.

Feelings: Masks uncomfortable feelings belonging to the schema with opposite feelings (eg Power cf powerlessness, pride cf shame or inferiority. However if overcompensation fails core schema feelings return.

Question 2

Avoidance

Answer 2

Behaviour: Active and passive avoidance of all kinds of situations that could trigger the schema

Thoughts: Denial of events or memories, depersonalisation or dissociation.

Feelings: Smoothing over feelings or feeling nothing at all.

Question 3

Surrender

Answer 3

Behaviour: Repeating behvioural patterns from childhood by looking for people and situations that are similar to the circumstances that led to the forming of the schema.

Thoughts: Selective processing of information such as seeing only the information that corresponds with the schema and not the information that diminishes the schema.

Feelings: The emotional pain of the schema is felt directly