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Originally Posted by MRT6211
How does one work on abandonment and attachment issues? Has anyone done specific therapy work on this?
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I don't think I labeled them as such, as I think I characterized them as "interpersonal issues," but at some point I was able to identify the things I was doing in relationships that were causing me pain. The first was placing too much pressure on friendships/romantic relationships where I felt I really "clicked" with someone (so probably about attachment) and the other was kicking people to the curb, particularly romantic interests, when they weren't perfect for me (probably a fear of abandonment).
So part of my therapy dealt with going back to significant relationships and/or discussing current relationships that are reminiscent of old ones, and talking about how they went, what I could see in the hindsight mirror and how I could do things differently. Then I would try to do things differently and would see how I felt about that. Kind of rinse and repeat.
I have also talked a lot about loss in my therapy, which I think is interconnected. From the early deaths of my grandparents to choosing to walk away from a friendship that isn't right for me.
I don't think there is any magic in technique or tools except cultivating a better sense of awareness of self and others. Reflecting back on people and relationships with a specific lens has been helpful.