Schemas

Question 1

• The feeling that one is defective, unwanted, invalid, or bad in an important way, or that one would be unlovable if exposed
• Involves hypersensitivity to criticism, rejection, and blame, self-consciousness, comparisons, and insecurity
• Sense of shame around perceived flaws, which may be private (e.g. anger or sexual desires) or public (e.g. appearance or social awkwardness)

Answer 1

disconnection & rejection

Question 2

• belief that people should be harshly punished for mistakes
• tendency to be impatient, punitive, and intolerant of people who do not meet one’s standards
• difficulty forgiving self or others for mistakes
• struggles to allow for imperfections or extenuating circumstances, and to empathize with feelings

Answer 2

over vigilance and inhibition

Question 3

• the expectation that others will hurt, abuse, humiliate, cheat, or manipulate you
• usually interprets harm as intentional or the result of negligence

Answer 3

disconnection and rejection

Question 4

• belief that one is unable to manage everyday responsibilities (including caring for oneself, making decisions, solving problems, and trying new things) without significant help from others
• often presents as helplessness

Answer 4

impaired autonomy and peformance

Question 5

• the belief that one is inadequate, has failed, or will inevitably fail
• often believes self to be less successful than others, inept, stupid, or untalented

Answer 5

impaired autonomy and performance

Question 6

• an exaggerated fear of imminent catastrophe that one cannot prevent
• fears may revolve around:
• medical catastrophes (e.g. heart attacks or cancer)
• emotional catastrophes (e.g. “losing it” or “going crazy”)
• external catastrophes (e.g. being mugged, earthquakes, or a bridge collapse)

Answer 6

impaired autonomy and performance

Question 7

• excessive emotional involvement and closeness with one or more others (often parents) at the expense of individuation and normal social development
• often involves a sense that one cannot be happy or survive without the constant support of the other
• may feel fused with or even smothered by others
• may struggle with a sense of one’s own identity and desired direction and (in extreme cases) may question one’s own existence when separated

Answer 7

impaired autonomy and performance

Question 8

• excessive surrendering of control to others, usually because one feels coerced and is trying to avoid abandonment, anger, or relatiation
• usually involves a sense that one’s own views and feelings are not important, and a sense of being trapped in excessive compliance
• might include subjugation of needs: suppression of preferences, desires, and decisions and’or subjugation of emotions
• suppression of emotional expression, especially anger
• may result in passive-aggression, sudden outbursts, substance abuse, or psychosomatic symptoms

Answer 8

other-directedness

Question 9

• excessive focus on prioritizing and meeting the needs of others at one’s own cost
• sometimes leads to a sense of one’s own needs being unmet or neglected

Answer 9

other-directedness

Question 10

• a lifelong focus on the negative aspects of life, whilst ignoring or minimizing the positives
• includes an exaggerated expectation that things will go seriously wrong in the end
• can include an overwhelming fear of making mistakes which might result in financial problems or humiliation
• characterized by frequent complaints, indecision, or worry

Answer 10

over-vigilance and inhibition

Question 11

• excessive inhibition of spontaneous feeling, action, or communication with the intention of avoiding shame or losing control. May include:
• inhibition of positive impulses, e.g. joy, affection, play, or sexual excitement
• difficulty expressing vulnerability or communicating one’s feelings
• excessive emphasis on rationality without emotion

Answer 11

over-vigilance and inhibition

Question 12

• an overwhelming belief that one must strive to meet extremely high standards of behavior and performance, usually to avoid criticism
• may result in difficulty slowing down or relaxing, an ongiong sense of pressure, poor self-esteem, difficulties taking pleasure from accomplishments, and unsatisfying relationships
• may be hypercritical of oneself or others
• typically presents as perfectionism and excessive focus on detail, rigid rules and “shoulds,” or a preoccupation with efficiency

Answer 12

over-vigilance and inhibition

Question 13

• a pervasive difficulty or refusal to tolerate frustration or exercise sufficient self-control to achieve goals or avoid excessive demonstrations of emotions and impulses
• in milder forms this can involve a significant focus on avoiding discomfort
• may avoid conflict, exertion, pain, or responsibility at the expense of fulfillment, commitment, or integrity

Answer 13

impaired limits

Question 14

• the sense that one does not fit in anywhere or belong to any group or community
• feeling isolated from the world
• feeling different from others

Answer 14

disconnection and rejection

Question 15

• belief that one’s basic emotional needs will not be adequately met by others
• expectation of being deprived of nurturance (affection, attention, companionship, and warmth)
• expectation that one will be deprived of empathy, understanding, sharing, and listening
• expectation that one will be deprived of protection, guidance, and direction

Answer 15

disconnection and rejection

Question 16

• the perceived unreliability or instability of others who could offer support and connection
• often believes others will not be able to continue providing emotional support, protection, or connection because they are emotionally unpredictable or unstable, erratically present, will die suddenly, or because they will choose to abandon them for someone better

Answer 16

disconnection and rejection

Question 17

• excessive focus on gaining approval, attention, or recognition, or fitting in at the expense of developing a sense of self
• self-esteem is dependent on the reactions of others
• can include an emphasis on achievements, money, appearance, or social status as a means of gaining admiration, approval, or attention
• often results in unsatisfactory or inauthentic life decisions
• hypersensitive to rejection

Answer 17

other-directedness

Question 18

• belief that one is superior to others and entitled to special rights and privileges
• feels entitled to do whatever they want, regardless of the cost to others
• may involve an exaggerated focus on being superiod, wealthy, successful, or famous
• may include domination of others, extreme competitiveness, or forceful or controlling behavior

Answer 18

impaired limits