Archive for July 29th, 2011

THE SELF-POISONER: PATTERNS OF SELF-INDUCED TOXICITY – CONTROLITIS

Friday, July 29th, 2011

People who insist on controlling their environment poison themselves with their “control madness.” They are unwilling to express themselves, reach out, or experiment with new ways of being. When in a position of power, they use the power to inhibit others. This pattern is observable in some “old maid” schoolteachers (of both sexes) who, in their need to control, choose to teach the lower grades. Their primary interest is to control and manipulate, and this is easier with younger children.Another form of controlitis occurs in the person who continually interrupts himself with trivial matters that must be taken care of immediately. Everything must be under control or he can’t relax. When someone else is doing something, he typically observes with a scrutinous eye as to whether the person is doing it right (according to him). The bolder poisoners of this type are full of unsolicited helpful suggestions. Those who are more timid squirm with irritation and restlessness as they observe someone doing something differently from their way. They insist on calling the shots, and they torture themselves when they can’t.*63\350\8*