EMS and Vulnerability schema

Why do we worry about bad things happening?

Vulnerability Schema: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments

We may all worry that something bad is going to happen to us from time to time. A small, controlled amount of this type of worry can help keep us and our loved ones safe. But some people always feel a sense of impending danger and threat, and are afraid that something bad will happen to them or their loved ones. In this case, they are said to have a vulnerability schema. For these people, the world is a dangerous and unsafe place, and they must always expect something unpleasant to happen at any moment. This sense of danger does not leave them even in relatively safe environments. You can certainly imagine how difficult and bitter it can be to live with such fear and anxiety. In this article from the Snapdoctor blog, we will examine what really makes us vulnerable and what are our real strengths and abilities to control this feeling?

What is a vulnerability schema?

The vulnerability to harm schema is one of the 18 primary maladaptive schemas (EMS). People with a vulnerability schema constantly worry that something terrible is going to happen and that they cannot prevent it or cope with its aftereffects. That is, a person with this schema lives in constant fear. These fears are usually intense and disproportionate to the actual level of risk.

In general, fears associated with the vulnerability schema are divided into three categories:

Medical issues and serious illnesses, such as fear of heart attacks, cancer, AIDS, etc.

Emotional issues, such as panic attacks, hospitalization for psychiatric help, fear of memory loss, etc.

External issues, such as fear of natural disasters, war, plane crashes, being a victim of crime, and even fear of poverty and financial problems

What factors cause a vulnerability schema?

 The vulnerability/illness schema is often developed when a person grows up with overprotective and anxious caregivers. Caregivers who constantly warn a child about danger use exaggerated language. For example, instead of simply warning, “You might fall and hurt yourself,” they say, “You’re going to hit your head and die.” This type of behavior can lead a person to believe that the world is a dangerous place and that they need to be constantly on guard. Of course, these caregivers themselves may also be acting this way because of mental illness, past experiences, or maladaptive schemas of their own.

Sudden life changes or long-term experiences of vulnerability, such as the illness or death of a loved one, poverty, disaster, or structural violence, can also lead people to believe that the world is an unsafe and dangerous place.

In fact, having overly cautious parents or experiencing trauma in childhood causes an area of the brain called the amygdala to be on constant alert, making the person overly sensitive and reactive to danger.

What are the signs of a vulnerability schema?

A person with a vulnerability schema usually avoids putting themselves in danger, in public settings, and even in work meetings and performances in front of others, where they might be humiliated or make a mistake.  In general, the following signs indicate that a person may have a vulnerability schema:

Excessively worried that bad things will happen to them or their family

Constantly feels unsafe when interacting with the environment

Sees their surroundings as unpredictable and dangerous

Tends to see the potential consequences of the challenges they face as catastrophic

Basically, if a person agrees with 5 or more of the following statements, they are most likely engaged in a vulnerability schema:

I am constantly afraid that something bad will happen

I have a strong tendency to have thoughts of “what if...”

My dominant feelings are anxiety and tension

I feel that the world is a dangerous place

I often worry that I might have a panic attack

Sometimes I think I might go crazy

My thoughts sometimes run at a speed of 100 kilometers per hour and I can't concentrate

I worry that I have an incurable disease or  That I am going to have a heart attack

I feel like the world is a dangerous place and I worry about bad things happening in the world

I am constantly stressed about money and worry about losing my income and becoming poor

Of course, if the person is dealing with active trauma, such as abuse, war, health issues, or environmental disasters such as fires or floods, fears and concerns about the safety of themselves and their loved ones are perfectly valid. That is, this schema is related to environments that are relatively safe and where the fear of imminent danger is disproportionate.