Question

definition of a wounded self

Answer 1

DEFINITION OF A WOUNDED SELF

self-wounds, which in the most general sense can be defined as difficulties and dysfunc- tions in the experiencing of one's self or identity. Self-wounds result from the interaction. between damaging life experiences and the cognitive and emotional strategies designed. to protect oneself from feared catastrophes

wounded self” in the understanding and psychological

treatment of anxiety disorders. The focal point of this concept is the notion of self-wounds or early

unresolved emotional injuries. According to this conceptualization, anxiety represents an unconscious

fear of unbearable insult to the wounded self, which is protected by maladaptive conscious strate-

gies such as avoidance, cognitive distortions, or emotional constriction. This perspective provides

a theoretical basis for blending elements of psychodynamic, behavioral, cognitive, and experiential

therapies in the psychological management of anxiety disorders. As cognitive hypnotherapy embod-

ies all of these therapeutic elements, its application to anxiety disorders is described in this article.

Various hypnotherapeutic techniques for symptomatic relief and for eliciting and healing the wounded

self are discussed and exemplified by a case. This case illustrates that symptom-focused treatment is

necessary, but not sufficient. A more durable treatment requires resolution of underlying conflicts that

drive the anxiety

American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 56: 368–388, 2014

Copyright © American Society of Clinical Hypnosis

ISSN: 0002-9157 print / 2160-0562 online

DOI: 10.1080/00029157.2014.880045

The Wounded Self: New Approach to Understanding

and Treating Anxiety Disorders

Assen Alladin

University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

This article synthesizes the concept of “wounded self” in the understanding and psychological

treatment of anxiety disorders. The focal point of this concept is the notion of self-wounds or early

unresolved emotional injuries. According to this conceptualization, anxiety represents an unconscious

fear of unbearable insult to the wounded self, which is protected by maladaptive conscious strate-

gies such as avoidance, cognitive distortions, or emotional constriction. This perspective provides

a theoretical basis for blending elements of psychodynamic, behavioral, cognitive, and experiential

therapies in the psychological management of anxiety disorders. As cognitive hypnotherapy embod-

ies all of these therapeutic elements, its application to anxiety disorders is described in this article.

Various hypnotherapeutic techniques for symptomatic relief and for eliciting and healing the wounded

self are discussed and exemplified by a case. This case illustrates that symptom-focused treatment is

necessary, but not sufficient. A more durable treatment requires resolution of underlying conflicts that

drive the anxiet

American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 56: 368–388, 2014

Copyright © American Society of Clinical Hypnosis

ISSN: 0002-9157 print / 2160-0562 online

DOI: 10.1080/00029157.2014.880045

The Wounded Self: New Approach to Understanding

and Treating Anxiety Disorders

Assen Alladin

University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

This article synthesizes the concept of “wounded self” in the understanding and psychological

treatment of anxiety disorders. The focal point of this concept is the notion of self-wounds or early

unresolved emotional injuries. According to this conceptualization, anxiety represents an unconscious

fear of unbearable insult to the wounded self, which is protected by maladaptive conscious strate-

gies such as avoidance, cognitive distortions, or emotional constriction. This perspective provides

a theoretical basis for blending elements of psychodynamic, behavioral, cognitive, and experiential

therapies in the psychological management of anxiety disorders. As cognitive hypnotherapy embod-

ies all of these therapeutic elements, its application to anxiety disorders is described in this article.

Various hypnotherapeutic techniques for symptomatic relief and for eliciting and healing the wounded

self are discussed and exemplified by a case. This case illustrates that symptom-focused treatment is

necessary, but not sufficient. A more durable treatment requires resolution of underlying conflicts that

drive the anxiunded self” in the understanding and psychological

treatment of anxiety disorders. The focal point of this concept is the notion of self-wounds or early

unresolved emotional injuries. According to this conceptualization, anxiety represents an unconscious

fear of unbearable insult to the wounded self, which is protected by maladaptive conscious strate-

gies such as avoidance, cognitive distortions, or emotional constriction. This perspective provides

a theoretical basis for blending elements of psychodynamic, behavioral, cognitive, and experiential

therapies in the psychological management of anxiety disorders. As cognitive hypnotherapy embod-

ies all of these therapeutic elements, its application to anxiety disorders is described in this article.

Various hypnotherapeutic techniques for symptomatic relief and for eliciting and healing the wounded

self are discussed and exemplified by a case. This case illustrates that symptom-focused treatment is

necessary, but not sufficient. A more durable treatment requires resolution of underlying conflicts that

drive the anxiety

“wounded self” in the understanding and psychological treatment of anxiety disorders. The focal point of this concept is the notion of self-wounds or early unresolved emotional injuries. According to this conceptualization, anxiety represents an unconscious fear of unbearable insult to the wounded self, which is protected by maladaptive conscious strategies such as avoidance, cognitive distortions, or emotional constriction. This perspective provides a theoretical basis for blending elements of psychodynamic, behavioral, cognitive, and experiential therapies in the psychological management of anxiety disorders. As cognitive hypnotherapy embodies all of these therapeutic elements, its application to anxiety disorders is described in this article. Various hypnotherapeutic techniques for symptomatic relief and for eliciting and healing the wounded self are discussed and exemplified by a case. This case illustrates that symptom-focused treatment is necessary, but not sufficient. A more durable treatment requires resolution of underlying conflicts that drive the anxiety

Self-Wound Model of Anxiety Disorders

Wolfe’s (2005,2006) integrated perspective on anxiety disorders consists of two inter-

related theories: (a) the integrative etiological theory of anxiety disorders, and (b) the

integrative psychotherapy for anxiety disorders. Both theories represent a synthesis

of the major extant perspectives of anxiety disorders and their treatment. The guid-

ing premise of Wolfe’s (2005,2006) etiological model is that anxiety disorders are

related to patients’ chronic struggles with their subjective experiences. Wolfe believes

the experience of severe anxiety in selected situations gives rise to conscious anticipa-

tions of impending calamity, which at an unconscious level represents a fear of exposing

unbearable painful views of the self. Anxious patients believe that the exposure of their

self-wounds would produce overwhelming painful affects such as humiliation, rage,

despair, and loss of control, which they desperately want to suppress. This etiological

theory of anxiety disorders thus consists of both a conscious layer and an implicit or

unconscious layer in terms of what the anxiety symptoms mean to the patient

Self-Wound Model of Anxiety Disorders Wolfe’s (2005,2006) integrated perspective on anxiety disorders consists of two inter-related theories:

(a) the integrative etiological theory of anxiety disorders, and

(b) the integrative psychotherapy for anxiety disorders. Both theories represent a synthesis of the major extant perspectives of anxiety disorders and their treatment. The guiding premise of Wolfe’s (2005,2006) etiological model is that anxiety disorders are related to patients’ chronic struggles with their subjective experiences. Wolfe believes the experience of severe anxiety in selected situations gives rise to conscious anticipa-tions of impending calamity, which at an unconscious level represents a fear of exposing unbearable painful views of the self. Anxious patients believe that the exposure of their self-wounds would produce overwhelming painful affects such as humiliation, rage, despair, and loss of control, which they desperately want to suppress. This etiological theory of anxiety disorders thus consists of both a conscious layer and an implicit or unconscious layer in terms of what the anxiety symptoms mean to the patient