Mistrust/Abuse Schema

This schema involves the belief that others will intentionally harm, manipulate, or take advantage of you. It often develops from experiences of betrayal, abuse, or manipulation in childhood.

You might have this schema if you frequently experience:

• Difficulty trusting others, even close friends or family
• Hypervigilance for signs of deception or harm
• Expecting betrayal or manipulation
• Difficulty being vulnerable or opening up
• Assuming negative intentions in others' actions
• Constant guardedness in relationships

Here are some common ways mistrust/abuse schema shows up in daily life:

• •Assuming people have ulterior motives for being nice
• •Difficulty delegating or relying on others
• •Testing people's loyalty or trustworthiness
• •Keeping emotional walls up to protect yourself
• •Finding it hard to believe people genuinely care

Mistrust/Abuse Schema often co-occurs with these other schemas: