If you\u2019re new to Schema Therapy<\/a>, we\u2019d advise you to get a quick introduction into the topic before you dive into the specifics of each Early Maladaptive Schema. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n After reading this article, you will be able to answer the following questions:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Schemas (in general) incorporate our beliefs about ourselves, the world around us, and the world of others. <\/p>\n\n\n\n These beliefs operate in the background of our awareness. However, they have great influence over our sense of self, our expectations about life, and the quality of our relationships. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You can think of schemas as frameworks through the lens of which we organize and make sense of our life experiences. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Schemas are not always negative, or maladaptive. Still, Dr Jeffrey Young<\/a> places the focus of his model on Early Maladaptive Schemas. From this point on, we are going to use the words schema and Early Maladaptive Schemas interchangeably.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Let\u2019s start with the original definition from the book \u201cSchema Therapy: A Practitioner\u2019s Guide.\u201d<\/a><\/em> According to Young, Klosko, and Weishaar (2003):<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s important to note that, according to Young, schemas do not i<\/strong>nclude specific behaviors. That’s because behaviors are thought of as a response to and not as a part of schemas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It might seem like maladaptive beliefs are created due to traumatic experiences. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Indeed, this is often the case. Still, it\u2019s not always true. Schemas are believed to form when one (or more) of our core human needs are not met. Young differentiates five core emotional needs (Young, Klosko, Weishaar, 2003; p. 10).<\/p>\n\n\n\n For instance, as a child grows up, they are largely dependent on their caregivers to meet these emotional needs. Toxic relationships with the caregivers can thus have a strong impact on the way children develop as individuals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s important to note, however, that schemas form as a result of repeated<\/strong><\/em> toxic experiences in childhood or adolescence. <\/p>\n\n\n\n So, if parents fail to meet their child\u2019s needs in a certain situation, this is not<\/strong> an indicator that the child will develop specific maladaptive schemas. Besides, the child\u2019s temperament also plays an important role in his or her development. <\/p>\n\n\n\n On one hand, every child perceives and reacts to the environment in a unique way. On the other hand, the child\u2019s personality traits could make him or her more susceptible to triggering specific behaviors (of others) in social contexts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Disconnection & Rejection<\/em><\/strong> is the first of the five schema domains in Dr. Jeffrey Young\u2019s<\/a> Schema Therapy<\/em> model.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This domain is closely related to the concept of insecure attachment, mostly because people who have this type of schema lack the ability to form secure bonds with others. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Namely, the needs of love, support, guidance, and belonging were not met by the attachment figures (the caregivers) during early childhood. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Throughout their lives, they continue to believe that these needs will not be met by others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The schemas in this domain are associated with traumatic childhood experiences. Thus, people who develop these schemas usually come from unpredictable, cold, rejecting, isolated, or abusive families. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Later as adults, they tend to recreate their past traumatic experiences. Specifically in relationships, they usually choose partners that resemble their early childhood relationships with their parents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The first schema is defined by perceived unpredictability and instability of close relationships. <\/p>\n\n\n\n People who have developed the abandonment schema <\/a>exhibit chronic anxiety about losing their loved ones<\/strong>. They have exaggerated expectations that their significant others will eventually leave them (i.e. for someone better or because they will die).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Besides the fear of abandonment, people with this schema might exhibit strong negative reactions \u2013 such as anger or depression \u2013 to actual or perceived loss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In order to prevent any possible rejection, instability, and disconnection, individuals who have this schema tend to act clingy, needy, jealous, and controlling in relationships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They might have a hard time tolerating being alone. Alternatively, others with this schema might try to avoid intimate relationships<\/a> in general \u2013 in order to avoid the possibility of being hurt by the ending of these relationships. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Despite the strong attempts to avoid being left by their loved ones, people with the abandonment schema often choose to enter relationships with someone who cannot provide them with security, commitment, and availability. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Paradoxically, they fear abandonment but choose partners that are likely to leave them. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The abandonment schema is typically seen in people with Borderline Personality Disorder<\/a><\/em>, and it\u2019s often combined with the Subjugation schema<\/a>, Dependence \/ Incompetence schema<\/a>, or Defectiveness schema (see below).<\/p>\n\n\n\n This schema is characterized by the persistent belief that one will be, in some way, mistreated by others. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n A person with the mistrust schema<\/a> tends to see others as untrustworthy and thus expects the worst from them. For instance, that others will lie, take advantage of, cheat, manipulate, and in more extreme cases, abuse them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Such individuals often come across as suspicious or even paranoid. They are hypervigilant to abuse and believe that others will hurt them, intentionally or unintentionally \u2013 due to selfishness or carelessness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For this reason, they tend to avoid intimacy altogether or remain distant in relationships. People with the mistrust schema typically don\u2019t share their inner world with others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Consistent with their early experiences with an abusive family, these individuals often continue the cycle of abuse in their adult relationships: they either enter relationships with abusers (victim behavior) or mistreat and abuse their partners (abuser behavior).<\/p>\n\n\n Adults who developed the emotional deprivation schema<\/a> earlier in life tend to ignore their emotional needs. They also believe that these are not important, or that strong and independent people do not have such needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They typically exhibit psychological symptoms \u2013 such as depression, sadness, and loneliness \u2013 and even physical symptoms. <\/p>\n\n\n\n However, they often do not realize that there is an issue behind these symptoms, or they cannot figure out why they feel that way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The emotional deprivation schema develops when one\u2019s needs of love, understanding, and guidance are not met by significant others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n People with this schema often feel alone or empty. <\/strong>They expect that no one can meet their emotional needs and also that they will not be supported or understood in relationships. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It feels natural to them to not get these needs met. Therefore, they might often act as if they don\u2019t have such emotional needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A key behavior of people with this schema is to divert communicating their needs<\/strong> and emotions.<\/strong> They avoid talking about themselves or act as tougher than they actually are. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Paradoxically, they often choose partners who are distant and aloof and who have other characteristics that recreate the early childhood environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The defectiveness schema<\/a> correlates with the perception that something is seriously wrong with or defective about the self. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, the defects can be related to the personality, physical appearance, or social behavior.<\/p>\n\n\n\n People with this schema feel deep shame about their perceived flaws. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Furthermore, they typically feel unworthy of love and respect and exhibit strong fear that their defects could be exposed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Such individuals are also self-conscious, lack self-esteem, and feel ashamed of who they are and how they are. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n They feel insecure and often compare themselves to other people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As a result of the persistent feelings of shame and anxiety related to one\u2019s defectiveness, social and intimate relationships might be perceived as a threat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Adults with this schema worry that, when they get close to someone, their flaws will be uncovered, which will lead to extreme feelings of shame. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For this reason, such individuals might avoid close intimate relationships or social contacts in general.<\/p>\n\n\n\n People who have developed this schema have typically suffered from rejection and strong criticism, which they have become extremely sensitive to. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Moreover, they tend to allow others to devalue them. If they have intimate relationships<\/a>, they often choose partners who do not respect and treat them well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Psychologists consider the defectiveness schema very difficult to heal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n People who have the social isolation schema<\/a> feel like they don\u2019t belong anywhere. They feel different. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This typically happens when a child grows up in a socially isolated family or is, in one way or another, different from the mainstream \u2013 because of <\/p>\n\n\n\n Even though some individuals who have developed this schema have intimate relationships, many end up alone in their lives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n People with this schema feel disconnected and alienated from the rest of the world.<\/strong> As a result, they avoid social contacts and social situations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Unfortunately, the social isolation schema is difficult to change. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Since the goal of therapy would be to focus on the patient\u2019s social connections, this might require the patient to go through strong discomfort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Impaired autonomy and performance<\/em><\/strong> is the second of the five schema domains in Dr. Jeffrey Young\u2019s Schema Therapy model.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The maladaptive schemas in this domain relate with a lack of sense of self and self-agency. That is to say, people who develop this type of schema have not formed a stable perception of who they are and how they are as independent individuals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This typically happens when one grows up in a family where the parents were overprotective, too involved in the child\u2019s life, or careless about the child\u2019s development. For instance, such parents might have undermined the child\u2019s confidence and not facilitated the child\u2019s ability to function independently or perform successfully.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The dependence \/ incompetence<\/em> schema incorporates the belief that one is not able to form adequate judgments, make decisions and handle everyday situations on their own. Individuals with this schema feel like they need to consult with others before they act. Even more, they need someone to assist them and tell them what to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n People who have this schema perceive that they need others to survive and are therefore highly dependent on them. Consequently, such individuals usually seek someone who will take care of them or do everything for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Occasionally, they are incapable of organizing their lives and performing basic <\/em>tasks without the help of their caregivers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n People who have this schema tend to avoid change and responsibility. They don\u2019t feel like they have an individual voice and intuition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A child typically develops this schema when the parents \u2013 even if they had good intentions \u2013 did all the decisions or tasks for him or her. Consequently, the child never learns how to exercise judgment and develop the necessary skills to function independently in the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n People who have the vulnerability schema<\/a> live in constant fear that something awful will happen to them at any moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Specifically, their anxiety could be related to events like becoming diseased or mentally ill, or becoming a victim of a crime or an environmental catastrophe. That is to say, people with this schema have an exaggerated perception of the likelihood of such terrible things happening to them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This schema is also associated with the perception that one is unable to protect oneself from anticipated disasters: one will not be able to prevent bad things from happening, and once the catastrophe occurs, one will not be able to handle it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The undeveloped self schema<\/a> typically develops when children grow up \u201cmerged with\u201d their parents: the parents are way too close (emotionally) to the child and way too involved in everything the child does.<\/p>\n\n\n\n People who have this schema don\u2019t have a strong and stable sense of who they are. Rather, they feel like they are not whole without the \u201cenmeshed figure\u201d \u2013 that could be a friend, sibling, a parental figure, or someone else.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Individuals with this schema are so strongly connected to the \u201cenmeshed figure\u201d that it\u2019s as if their world revolves around this person. They typically think a lot about, talk about, and depend on the \u201cenmeshed figure\u201d and feel guilty when they don\u2019t do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Such enmeshment<\/a> often causes deficiencies in one\u2019s social development as well as strong feelings of emptiness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n People with this schema feel like they are failing in life. For instance, that they are not as smart, efficient, skilled, or talented as the people around them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Generally, failure is related to academic, athletic or professional performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These individuals believe that they will continue to fail in whatever it is that they\u2019d like to achieve. So as a form of self-fulfilling prophecy, they often engage in self-sabotaging behaviors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, some people who have this schema might try to put extra effort into their education, jobs, or other activities to overcome the perceived lack of skills, intelligence, or talents. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Oftentimes, people with this schema do exhibit lower achievement (compared to their peers). In some cases, this is due to lack of discipline, focus, or dedication. Although in other cases, the failure schema<\/a> might reflect real deficiencies that prevent one from being as successful as their peers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Impaired limits<\/em> is the third of the five schema domains characterized by Dr. Jeffrey Young<\/a>. It can be linked to issues with setting both personal and interpersonal limits. <\/p>\n\n\n\n On a personal level, people with schemas from this domain usually have difficulties controlling their impulses, engaging in goal-directed behavior, taking responsibility, and following rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n On an interpersonal level, these adults might disregard the needs and rights of others and thus have insufficient capacity to cooperate in social contexts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Schemas from this domain usually develop in children whose parents did not set enough limits. For example, they spoiled the child, did not provide enough guidance, and did not encourage the child to exercise self-discipline.<\/p>\n\n\n People who have this the grandiosity schema<\/a> feel superior to others. And so they tend to focus on their strengths and minimize their flaws. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Moreover, they also perceive themselves as special and disregard the fact that they \u2013 like everyone else \u2013 have limitations and weaknesses. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Such individuals don\u2019t believe they need to follow the rules that apply to others. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n They need to get what they want in life (regardless of whether it\u2019s realistic and reasonable), and so they tend to walk over people who get in the way of that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n This schema is characterized by impaired emotional tolerance and self-discipline. <\/p>\n\n\n\n People who have this schema come across as impulsive, unreliable, and disorganized. <\/strong>They typically can\u2019t resist their impulses and endure discomfort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When adults lack self-control<\/a>, they usually focus on short-term gratification and don\u2019t consider the consequences of their actions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As a result, they exhibit issues in various areas of their lives. They might want to change their behavior, but they often feel like they don\u2019t have any control of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Children usually develop this schema when their parents didn\u2019t set any limits or didn\u2019t encourage them to tolerate emotional discomfort to achieve long-term goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Other-directedness is the fourth domain of the early maladaptive schemas in the Schema Therapy<\/em> model. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Generally, people who have this type of schema typically grew up believing that love is conditional. They became too focused on the reactions, opinions, and approval of others. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In contrast, they didn\u2019t pay much attention to their own desires and inclinations. Such individuals think that others will love and accept them if they satisfy others\u2019 needs and act in a way that others approve of. Therefore, they suppress their own emotions and needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The subjugation schema includes the belief that one\u2019s emotions, needs, preferences, and opinions are not important. What’s more, if emotions are not suppressed, they will cause rejection or punishment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n One\u2019s feelings and desires are not<\/em> suppressed because of moral values or standards, but because of fear that something bad will happen if these are not suppressed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Adults with this schema usually allow others to dominate them and often enter relationships with controlling partners. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Then, they feel weak and powerless. In some cases, they might become rebellious, to counteract their fears and negative beliefs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On the bright side, this schema is not as difficult to heal.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Similarly to the subjugation schema, the self-sacrifice<\/a> schema is associated with giving up one\u2019s own needs and focusing on the needs of others. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The two schemas, however, are very different. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Firstly, people who have the subjugation schema feel powerless and controlled by others; they suppress their needs in order to avoid the anticipated negative consequences. <\/p>\n\n\n\n On the contrary, people who have the self-sacrifice schema choose<\/em> to put others and their needs first, because they believe this is the right thing to do.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Even if people with the self-sacrifice schema have good intentions \u2013 to prevent others\u2019 pain \u2013 and are highly empathic, they often end up stressed and exhausted from giving so much to others. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Oftentimes, they also have the emotional deprivation schema: they care much about others but receive little in return, so their own needs are never adequately met. This might also result in negative feelings<\/a> towards the ones who they sacrifice for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For people who have this schema, the sense of self-worth is based on the opinions, reactions, and approval of others. <\/strong>These adults believe that, if others look up to them, they will fit in and be valued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Consequently, people who have this schema place a huge emphasis on how they and their lives look on the outside. To illustrate, they focus on money, success, status, appearance and possessions. <\/p>\n\n\n Generally, this is a reflection of the attitude of one\u2019s parents, whose values were based on what\u2019s socially desirable, and not what is good for them or their child. <\/p>\n\n\n\n People with this schema generally don\u2019t have an authentic sense of self \u2013 of who they are and what they truly want in life. What’s more, they don\u2019t act upon their own judgments and inclinations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Still, their pursuit of admiration, approval, and attention is NOT based on:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Overvigilance and Inhibition<\/em> is the last of the five maladaptive schema domains in Dr. Young\u2019s Schema Therapy<\/em> model. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Characteristic of the schemas in this domain is the emphasis on internalized strict rules and moral values as well as the minimization of feelings and emotional expression, often at the cost of one\u2019s well-being or interpersonal relationships. <\/p>\n\n\n\n People who develop these schemas were typically brought up in demanding, strict, punitive, or perfectionistic families.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
What is an Early Maladaptive Schema<\/strong>?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
An Early Maladaptive Schema is:<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
\n
![\"18](\"https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/the-18-maladaptive-schemas-1024x836.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nHow do maladaptive schema<\/strong>s develop <\/strong>in childhood?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The five core emotional needs<\/strong> are:<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n\n\n\nDomain I: Disconnection and Rejection<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
There are five maladaptive schemas in the first domain.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
1. Abandonment<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n
![\"Early](\"https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/pexels-pixabay-487941-edited.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n2. Mistrust \/ Abuse<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n
![\"Early](\"https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/pexels-cottonbro-41004201-edited-scaled.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n![\"Woman](\"https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/motoki-tonn-saR2bq1JzzE-unsplash-1-edited.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n3. Emotional Deprivation<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Dr. Young differentiates three types of emotional deprivation:<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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4. Defectiveness \/ Shame<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
5. Social Isolation<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n\n\n\nDomain II: Impaired Autonomy and Performance<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
There are four maladaptive schemas in the second domain.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
6. Dependence \/ Incompetence<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
7. Vulnerability to Harm or Illness<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
8. Enmeshment \/ Undeveloped Self<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n
![\"Two](\"https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/artem-maltsev-sVFcKZDzBDg-unsplash1-683x1024-1-200x300.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n9. Failure<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n
![\"Woman](\"https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/pexels-andrea-piacquadio-37557551-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nDomain III: Impaired Limits<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Maladaptive](\"https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/pexels-labskiii-61357851-edited-scaled.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nThere are two maladaptive schemas in the third domain<\/strong>.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
10. Entitlement \/ Grandiosity<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Dr. Young distinguished between three subtypes of this schema:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\n
11. Insufficient Self-Control \/ Self-Discipline<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n
![\"Two](\"https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/mikail-duran-siM_YaIGrzU-unsplash1-edited-scaled.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nDomain IV: Other-Directedness<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
There are three maladaptive schemas in the fourth domain.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n
![\"beautiful](\"https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/david-suarez-5tuhnbLv4NQ-unsplash-1-edited.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n12. Subjugation<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
13. Self-Sacrifice<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n
![\"Maladaptive](\"https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/pexels-samantha-garrote-24673961-edited-scaled.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n14. Approval-Seeking \/ Recognition-Seeking<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
![\"Maladaptive](\"https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/pexels-jj-jordan-22024421-edited-scaled.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nDomain V: Over-vigilance and Inhibition<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
There are four maladaptive schemas in this domain.<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n
![\"man](\"https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/pexels-alex-green-57001921-edited-scaled.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n