That's an important one too AG, thanks!
I started reading "reinventing your life" today which is a less technical book about schema therapy. Mistrust/abuse is the schema i am most bothered with at the moment. And it lists ways it can show in relationships. I found it quite eye-opening so thought I might share:
quote:
1/ You often feel people are taking advantage of you, even when there is little concrete proof.
2/ You allow other people to mistreat you because you are afraid of them or because you feel it is all you deserve.
3/ You are quick to attack other people because you expect them to hurt you or put you down.
4/ You have a very hard time enjoying sex - it feels like an obligation or you cannot derive pleasure.
5/ You are reluctant to reveal personal information because you worry that people will use it against you.
6/ You are reluctant to show your weaknesses because you expect people to take advantage of them.
7/ You feel nervous around people because you worry that they will humiliate you.
8/ You give in too easily to other people because you are afraid of them.
9/ You feel that other people seem to enjoy your suffering.
10/ You have a definite sadistic or cruel side, even though you may not show it.
11/ You allow other people to take advantage of you because "it is better than being alone".
12/ You feel that men/women cannot be trusted.
13/ You do not remember large portions of your childhood.
14/ When you are frightened of someone, you "tune out", as if part of you is not really there.
15/ You often feel people have hidden motives or bad intentions, even when you have little proof.
16/ You often have sado-masochistic fantasies.
17/ You avoid getting close to men/women because you cannot trust them.
18/ You feel frightened around men/women and you do not understand why.
19/ You have sometimes been abusive or cruel to other people, especially the ones to whom you are closest.
20/ You often feel helpless in relation to other people.
I can see many of these things in my life and this makes me more aware of them so i can try to tackle them one by one.
LTF