Tag: psychology

A permanent state of transition

Donald Winnicott, a prominent psychoanalyst, introduced the concept of transitional objects as a crucial aspect of early childhood development. These objects, often a teddy bear or a comforting blanket, serve as a bridge between a child’s self and the external world, providing a sense of security during the transitional phase of gaining independence. The transitional object acts as a tangible representation of the caregiver, aiding in the child’s exploration of autonomy.

In the realm of technology, our devices have become modern transitional objects. Smartphones, laptops, and other gadgets seamlessly blend virtual and real worlds, acting as bridges between our personal spaces and the vast digital landscape. Similar to a child’s teddy bear, these devices offer a sense of comfort and connection, becoming integral in our daily lives.

However, the parallel doesn’t end there. Winnicott emphasized the importance of the transitional object being an item of the child’s choosing. In the digital age, our relationship with technology mirrors this autonomy. We select and personalize our devices, apps, and online spaces, creating a digital environment that reflects our individuality.

Just as transitional objects assist in navigating the challenges of childhood, technology aids us in navigating the complexities of the modern world. It serves as a tool for communication, learning, and entertainment, becoming an extension of ourselves in the process. Yet, like any transitional object, the use of technology requires a healthy balance to prevent dependency and promote genuine human connections.

In essence, Winnicott’s concept of transitional objects sheds light on the psychological underpinnings of our relationship with technology. Acknowledging the parallels allows us to appreciate the significance of these digital tools in our lives while being mindful of maintaining a balanced and healthy integration of technology into our sense of self and society.

The Addicts Shame

Addiction is a disease that not only affects the physical body, but also crushes the soul. Feeding the disease requires a preoccupation with obtaining and consuming substances. This is often accompanied by deceitful and irresponsible behavior, taking a toll on relationships, family commitments and careers. It is easy to blame the individual for bad behavior – lying, cheating and stealing, as well as angry outbursts – rather than putting the focus on the disease that creates those behaviors. The addicted person is generally not proud of those behaviors. Being shunned by family, friends and society only contributes to greater shame and self-blame.

It is difficult to have compassion for people when presumed poor character is confused with the disease characteristics that undermine it. Compounding this is the common belief that people choose to become addicted, based on weakness, lack of will power and poor judgment. Again, looking beyond myth, science informs us that there is a genetic predisposition for addiction, as well as a range of environmental factors, especially those that occur in early childhood.

Feelings of shame that are become normal to the addict have shown to have a detrimental effect to chances of recovery. Research has consistently demonstrated that whilst guilt can have a positive association with self-forgiveness, shame negatively associated the capacity for self-forgiveness.

Overpowering negative emotions can derail efforts at achieving sobriety. A few therapy-informed techniques can help you stay on course. Many of our feelings are simple reactions to specific events that we perceive as pleasant or unpleasant. After the event is over, the related feeling usually fades away. We can easily see that our emotions are fleeting and impermanent.

Shame does not work this way. The hallmark of shame is a constant awareness of our defects. Without realising it, we become continual victims of shame-based thinking. Every day, we focus on our failures. Every day, we re-convince ourselves that we are defective. Our thoughts become riddled with judgment, regret, and images of impending failure.

There are many thoughts that therapy can bring up to help challenge our internal feelings of shame, judgement and abandonment. When working through specific areas of our lives we may be asked to question our negative thoughts and replace them with more accurate reflections of the self.

Is this thought really true?
How do I know it’s true?
What is the evidence for this thought?
What is the evidence against this thought?
Can I think of any times when this thought has not been true?
Is this thought helping me or hurting me?
What could I do if I let go of this thought?
What’s the worst that could happen if I let go of this thought? Can I live with that?

Working with a therapist who is committed to understanding and promoting recovery can create shifts in the way we regard addiction. Understanding that we need to take fault out of an addicts life and replace it with responsibility can mark a positive step in this direction.

If only….

The word envy comes from the Latin invidere: to look upon maliciously. It is to look at another’s good fortune grudgingly, the feeling of horror when we contemplate a colleagues advantages or the need to spitefully denigrate when we fear that others are getting more than their fair share and certainly more than us.

Melanie Klein’s view of envy highlights its destructive assault on anything that is admirable. ‘Envy is the angry feeling that another person possesses and enjoys something desirable – the envious impulse being to take it away or to spoil it’ (Klein, 1957: 181).

In psychological terms envy is a feeling or impulse, which in its destructive and spoiling qualities can be disastrous to the personality. Envy can inhibit development when deeply entrenched in the psyche and exerts a powerful influence on the whole personality.
The more we examine our own envy, the more we understand it, the less likely will be our need to use it against others. In therapy we might find a way to transform our envy into a vehicle that allows us to look deeper into ourselves. When we feel the raw force of envy we know that we are not settled in our minds and bodies and not fully accepting of who we are in both our beautiful and flawed ways.