Schemas

Schema's - Hidden Beliefs

What is a Schema?
Running in the back of your mind, hidden from your general awareness, are beliefs that control anything from how you interpret your life experiences to your behaviour.   They are called a schema.

Who developed Schema Therapy?
Schema Therapy was developed by Jeffrey E. Young and represents a type of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) used to help treat people.  It is a very effective therapy after someone has suffered narcissistic abuse.

Why is it important to understand your Schemas?
Because these, deep-rooted, unconscious beliefs can drive your thoughts and behaviour, they can also hinder or prevent your recovery after traumatic experiences - such as narcissistic abuse.

Perception of Information - The Schema Filters
Each of us perceives experiences and information in unique ways, depending on our beliefs about ourselves. These unconscious beliefs (schemas), work like a filter which only sees, hears or experiences life according to these unconscious beliefs.  We have an automatic bias in our perception - that can either help us, or hinder us in life.

For example,  if you win £5.00 on a scratch card, you might think 'It's my lucky day';  or you might think 'That's not enough'.  The underlying schema of 'I am lucky' or 'I never have enough' will have triggered different responses to the same win.

 Awareness  = Empowerment to Change
As you become aware of your hidden schemas, you have the opportunity to decide if they serve you or not in your day to day life.   This is particularly important after extremely traumatic experiences, such as narcissistic abuse, because limiting beliefs (schemas) can hinder a speedy recovery.

Self-Sacrifice Schema

If you have a self-sacrificing schema, you may have hidden beliefs such as:
‘I don’t like asking for what I need’
‘I feel guilty when I ask for what I need’
‘I try to prevent causing pain to others’
‘I feel guilty when I am selfish’
When you put other people first, you may not take care of your own needs and ask for what you want.
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Emotional Deprivation Schema

If you have an emotional deprivation schema, you may unconsciously think:
‘I am not sure that anyone really understands me’
‘I don’t get the affection and attention I need’
‘I don’t know if there is anyone out there that can meet my emotional needs’
‘I don’t believe there is anyone who can protect me’
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Shame Schema

If you have shame schemas, you may have hidden beliefs such as:
‘I am not good enough’
‘I buy into criticism’
‘I have many flaws’
‘I am inferior to others’
‘I am very self-conscious’

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Weekly Motivation

We all have schema's running around in the back of our minds.  Part of the intensive recovery programme looks at your unconscious beliefs to help you recover faster.
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