How Childhood Trauma Shapes Core Beliefs (18 Schemas Explained).

Schemas

The 18 Original Early Maladaptive Schemas (according to Jeffrey Young):

1. Abandonment/Instability – The belief that close relationships are unstable and unreliable, leading to fears of abandonment.

2. Mistrust/Abuse – The expectation that others will hurt, abuse, or betray you.

3. Emotional Deprivation – The belief that emotional needs will not be met by others.

4. Defectiveness/Shame – The feeling that one is fundamentally flawed, unworthy, or not good enough.

5. Social Isolation/Alienation – The feeling of being isolated or different from others, not part of any group.

6. Dependence/Incompetence – The belief that you are unable to handle everyday responsibilities without significant help from others.

7. Vulnerability to Harm or Illness – The fear that catastrophe (e.g., illness, accidents, or natural disasters) is imminent and you are unable to cope with it.

8. Enmeshment/Undeveloped Self – A lack of boundaries and an over-reliance on others, especially family, for self-definition and emotional support.

9. Failure – The belief that you are inherently inadequate or destined to fail, particularly in comparison to others.

10. Entitlement/Grandiosity – The belief that you are superior to others and deserve special treatment, often leading to selfishness and lack of empathy.

11. Insufficient Self-Control/Self-Discipline – Difficulty in exercising self-discipline, leading to impulsive behavior and an inability to regulate emotions.

12. Subjugation – The tendency to suppress one's own needs or emotions in order to avoid conflict or gain approval, often feeling controlled or oppressed by others.

13. Self-Sacrifice – A tendency to excessively focus on others’ needs at the expense of one's own well-being, often leading to feelings of neglect or burnout.

14. Approval-Seeking/Recognition-Seeking – The need for constant approval or recognition from others, often leading to behaviors that are overly people-pleasing or self-sacrificial.

15. Negativity/Pessimism – A tendency to focus on the negative aspects of life, often expecting the worst and having difficulty enjoying the present or imagining a positive future.

16. Emotional Inhibition – The tendency to suppress or avoid emotions, especially vulnerable feelings like sadness, anger, or fear.

17. Unrelenting Standards/Hypercriticalness – The belief that you must meet very high standards, often accompanied by harsh self-criticism or perfectionism.

18. Punitiveness – The tendency to believe that people (including oneself) should be harshly punished for mistakes or wrongdoings.

Summary of Key Aspects of Schema Therapy:

• Schemas: These are long-standing negative patterns formed in childhood or adolescence that influence thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.

• Origins: They are thought to stem from early life experiences, often involving unmet emotional needs or dysfunctional interactions with caregivers.

• Therapeutic Goal: The primary aim of Schema Therapy is to help individuals identify and challenge these maladaptive schemas, ultimately leading to healthier ways of thinking, feeling, and behaving.

How Schema Therapy Works:

• Awareness: Identifying which schemas are operating in a person’s life.

• Reframing: Challenging and changing the maladaptive beliefs associated with these schemas.

• Healing: Addressing unmet emotional needs and promoting healthier, adaptive coping mechanisms.