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Independence refers to beingself-sufficientor taking care of yourself.
However, like any trait, independence can be dangerous when taken to an extreme.
What Does Hyper-Independence Look Like?
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When someones need to be independent goes to an unhealthy extreme, this is hyper-independence.
An individual who is hyper-independent will avoidasking for helpor support even when this is detrimental.
Hyper-independence can be atraumaresponse.
ACEs are linked to physical illness, depression, anxiety, and even early death in adulthood.
Hyper-independence is one trauma response that can bemaladaptive.
Why Is Hyper-Independence a Trauma Response?
Hyper-independence can develop in response to trauma for various reasons.
Not everyone who experiences a trauma will have the same trauma responses.
Theneglectthey experienced taught them that they could only rely on themselves.
Mistrust of Others
Hyper-independence can also emerge from reluctance to trust others.
The trauma survivor might have experiencedabuse by their caregivers.
Coping Mechanism
Sometimes, hyper-independence can be a way ofcoping with uncertainty.
They also often struggle with interpersonal relationships due to their mistrust of others.
Although hyper-independence is not a formal diagnosis, it is a trauma andstress response.
People withposttraumatic stress disorderor another mental health issue triggered by a trauma history might experience hyper-independence.
A person experiencing hyper-independence can work on healthy relationships, trust, and honoring their own limitations in therapy.
Because hyper-independence is a trauma response, trauma-informed care is an important component of this treatment.
While hyper-independence can cause problems, it likely helped you survive a traumatic situation if you developed this response.
Be gentle with yourself, and leave space for difficult times.
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