Finding Strength in Surrender
 

Babies are dependent on their primary caretakers for strength. Through
repeated experiences of having infantile frustrations met, they bond with
parents when they are between 2 and 36 weeks old. If this bond does not
happen because needs were not met or anticipated before any frustration
could happen, young ones never internalize a caregiver or authority figure.
They cannot soothe or govern themselves. Instead, they act out rage from
unmet needs by trying to rule everyone around them. They become
masters at minimizing their behavior and denying risks.

Four or more items marked below suggests that the self has become
deprived of nurture causing a willfulness that runs over everything in its
path. For a defiant personality to be fully present, serious conduct
problems are generally evident before the age of 15 and solidified into a
consistent pattern (not just when high) after 18.

Defiant Personalities

• Act unlawfully by repeatedly performing acts that are grounds for
  arrest.

• Are deceitful and repeatedly lie, use false names, con others, or act
  unfaithfully.

• Act impulsively by failing to plan ahead, abusing drugs or alcohol,
  and moving a lot.

• Are irritable and aggressive with repeated physical fights or assaults.

• Are reckless and disregard the safety of self or others.

• Are consistently irresponsible with financial obligations, children, or
  steady employment.

• Lack remorse and show indifference or make excuses for hurting,
  mistreating, or stealing.

• Can appear competitive but are poor losers, distrustful, shallow,
  stubborn, and charming.

These characteristics cannot be explained wholly by care given in the first 9
months of life. These personalities may be predisposed to overeact to
stimuli and handle that stress by striking out. Inhibitory centers of the
nervous system may be underenergized. Difficulties in infancy may have
interfered with normal attachment and increased the likelihood of abuse or
neglect. Some people may have attached as infants but later lost a bond
with a primary trust figure and then rejected authority.

THE CHALLENGE OF CHANGE

Because people who defy society rarely feel depressed, anxious, or guilty,
they have little desire to change until their rampage of self-will is (externally)
stopped. Even then, they will have difficulty “surrendering” to another
without a hidden agenda. This bond of trust is needed to:

    (1) accept feedback about exploitive behavior,
    (2) explore advantages of self-control and delay of gratification,
    (3) identify excuses for willful behavior,
    (4) learn to understand others and negotiate, and
    (5) manage self-discipline and anger.

If impulses can be controlled and consequences anticipated, defiant people
can focus on changing beliefs that trigger many of their behaviors.

Directions: Mark any of the thoughts you get in your worst moments. Then
Identify beliefs you would like to have and affirm these new ideas regularly.
 

Turn Defeating Thoughts into       . . .    Beliefs That Promote Change