A Radically Open DBT therapist in Austin Explains Maladaptive Overcontrol

There is an optimal level of how tightly you control your life. Radically Open DBT in Austin helps you find that right balance.

In our culture, self-control is generally praised and associated with success. The thinking is that you can’t have too much self-control. Further, deficits in self-control, like substance abuse, binge eating, or financial difficulties, are often what bring people into therapy. So…more self-control is always better, right? Not so fast, acording to a Radically Open DBT therapist in Austin. 

Not so fast. Recently, researchers have been exploring the the question of whether a person can have too much self-control. In his Radially Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy: Theory and Practice, Thomas Lynch states that excessive self-control can be just as problematic as not enough self-control. This surplus of self-control is linked to its own set of problems, things like chronic and protracted depression, anorexia nervosa, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Turns out you can have too much of a good thing.

In contrast with their undercontrolled counterparts, these overcontrolled individuals are more likely to appear "fine", state they are "fine," yet be in high distress internally. Often, no one around them is aware of their suffering. These people tend to be serious about life, have high standards for themselves and others, and sacrifice to meet goals. Now, you might be thinking “nothing wrong with that” and you’d be right…up to a point. Overcontrolled people do keep the world humming along and are responsible for some of humanity’s greatest achievements. However, they struggle to connect to others and form intimate relationships. Emotional loneliness is another way to describe maladaptive overcontrol. What sets Radically Open Dialectical Behavioral Therapy apart from other forms of therapy is a focus on how people show up in social situations.

Lynch outlines four struggle points contained in maladaptive overcontrol. You may resonate with all of these or only some of these.

1) Low receptivity and openness

• poor response to disconfirming feedback

• avoidance of unplanned situations

• high suspiciousness

• tendency to perceive threats easily

2) Low flexibility

• a compulsive need for structure and order

• hyperperfectionism

• rigidity about following rules

• high certainty that there is a "right" way to do everything

3) Perceived inhibited emotional expression and low emotional awareness

• remaining flat in response to a compliment or a joke

• smiling even when in extreme distress

• low awareness of bodily sensations

• hard to impress

4) Low social connectedness

• relationships that tend to be distant and aloof

• frequent bitterness

• high social comparisons

Radically Open DBT in Austin helps the lonely and isolated feel a part of a community.

If any part of this describes you, Radically Open DBT might be a useful option! I offer Radically Open DBT in Austin. Go here to learn more.

I want to emphasize that Radically Open DBT does not seek to remove all overcontrol from your life. We want to figure out where it is serving you and where it isn’t serving you, keeps what’s working, and discard what isn’t.