We've all heard of attachment theory as it has blown up on the internet in the past few years.

But have you ever heard of early Maladaptive schemas or EMS?

An Early Maladaptive schema is a deeply ingrained, pervasive pattern or theme and thinking,

feeling, and behaving that develops during childhood or adolescence

and is maladaptive, meaning it is dysfunctional or unhelpful.

These schemas are believed to be the result of unmet emotional needs

and or negative experiences in early life.

If you think you might have one or two unresolved issues, this is likely the episode for you.

Welcome back to savvy psychologist. I'm your host Dr. Monica Johnson. Every week on this show I'll help you face life challenges with evidence-based approaches, a sympathetic ear, and zero judgment.

Early maladaptive schemas or EMSs are self-defeating and can lead to significant emotional distress and difficulties in personal

relationships, work, or other important areas of life. They represent broad

generalized beliefs about oneself, others, and the world that are often viewed as absolute truths by the individual, despite evidence to the contrary.

These schemas are stable and enduring over time,

influencing the way individuals interpret

and react to their environment and themselves.

EMS can be triggered by specific situations that resemble the conditions

under which they were formed.

When activated, they can lead to intense emotional responses

and coping behaviors that may be overcompensatory, so trying to avoid or counteract the schema,

Avoidant, which is trying to escape the schema,

or surrendering, acting in ways that the schema psychologist Jeffrey Young identifies 18 early

maladaptive schemas that are categorized into five broad

...