I latched onto a couple of quotes from two articles that I found on Monday and, when I read them to Ming yesterday, he was blown away. The first comes from this source: http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/healthy-connections/201007/help-my-controlling-behavior-is-ruining-relationships
“How does a person become controlling? It is basically a method of coping with the anxiety they feel beginning very early in life. Some had parents who couldn’t quite fulfill their role as strong caregivers and seemed to be weak or incapable.
A child in this situation, as early as age 3, may begin to prop up their parents and become a little adult very early on. If the stress continues, fear increases and the use of attempts to control what they can, becomes compulsive and unconscious. It is more likely to happen with children who are helpers, and/or leaders by nature, often first born boys or girls feel proud of themselves for helping and it is encouraged or reinforced by parents and other influential adults. They may also have a tendency toward anxiety, worry and perfectionism which will only make it worse.”
The second quote comes from this source: http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/emotional-freedom/201010/how-deal-control-freak
“Controllers are often perfectionists. They may feel, ‘If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself.’ …. Controllers are also controlling with themselves. They may fanatically count carbs, become clean freaks or workaholics. Conventional psychiatry classifies extreme cases as Obsessive Compulsive Disorder–people are rigidly preoccupied with details, rules, lists, and dominating others at the expense of flexibility and openness.
QUIZ: AM I IN A RELATIONSHIP WITH A CONTROLLER? (from Emotional Freedom)
- Does this person keep claiming to know what’s best for you?
- Do you typically have to do things his way?
- Is he or she so domineering you feel suffocated?
- Do you feel like you’re held prisoner to this person’s rigid sense of order?
- Is this relationship no fun because it lacks spontaneity?
If you answer “yes” to 1-2 questions, it’s likely you’re dealing with a controller. Responding “yes” to 3 or more questions suggests that a controller is violating our emotional freedom.”
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I read these quoted excerpts to Ming so it was rather lovely when he listened without angst and it was very interesting to see his jaw drop in recognition of himself and me. I guess you could call it an epiphany.
It was during our first session with the counsellor last week that she suggested we might have control issues, so it was the word ‘control’ that stuck in my head and is why, after things went haywire on Sunday, I googled ‘control issues’ and found the above two articles. What would we do without google – ha!
“So I’m a control freak,” Ming said with a certain amount of relief and a tinge of pride.
“Yes.”
“And it’s because I couldn’t control Dad’s sickness and your misery, and my back and all the shit?”
“Possibly.”
“So what do we do now?” Ming asked.
“Well, we’ve already taken the first step, kid.”
“What do you mean?”
“I am the one in control now so you can just freak off!”
His pealing laughter filled the house and my heart had a lovely little nap.
Sometimes I just want to go back in time!
jmgoyder 