Social Isolation and Alienation Schema

What is the Social Isolation Schema?

Do you always feel that you are different from the rest of the people around you and therefore limit your contact with others? Do you usually insist on your differences with others rather than seeing the similarities? Perhaps you focus on personal and family flaws and are prone to negativity?

These are signs of the Social Isolation and Alienation Schema, which is generally seen in people who are members of religious minorities, famous families, very beautiful, very ugly, or very intelligent. This schema is also seen in some people who have suffered from certain diseases.

The social isolation trap can be identified by the following signs:

These people believe that they are different from others and feel left out of the world; as the saying goes, they are isolated.

They prefer to stay in their solitude and are afraid of being judged by others.

The signs of this trap are a tendency to be negative and the person usually focuses on their own shortcomings.

They make every effort to reduce their social relationships with others. Even when choosing a job, they look for solo jobs.

They are not sociable and prefer to be with their family and not meet new people as much as possible.

Characteristics of people with social isolation and alienation schema

When a person is involved in the social isolation and alienation schema, they do not feel good about themselves because they see differences between themselves and other people that cause them pain and suffering.  Usually, such a person is constantly worried about what others think of him; even in some cases, he may seem friendly and intimate on the outside, but inside, he feels lonely.

They do not feel comfortable in public. They think a lot about every sentence and word they say and are anxious about expressing themselves. They think they have nothing to say in public. In academic and work environments, they are focused on their own work and do not seek progress and promotion; they walk their path with the lights off, so to speak. They generally feel inferior and have low self-esteem.

What factors aggravate the social isolation schema?

 If you think you have a social isolation schema, it is best to identify the factors that exacerbate this schema so that you can avoid further entanglement. Here are a few of these factors:

The more you feel different and worthless, and you magnify your differences and minimize your similarities, the more you will reinforce this schema.

If you are preoccupied with your own work at work and do not seek promotion, you do not participate in important decisions at work, and do not feel like you belong to a group.

Refuse to join friendship or work groups and only socialize with old friends, acquaintances, or family.

You may overcompensate for your social isolation schema by putting in a lot of effort into social skills, proving your popularity, or belonging to a group.

You feel embarrassed if others meet your family or know about them.  That's why you try to hide your family from others.

You avoid situations and circumstances in which you might appear clumsy, slow-witted, or stupid.

If you are overly sensitive about your appearance, think you are unattractive, and feel ashamed of your physical weakness, your schema will become stronger.