Control issues refer to an overarching theme in a person’s character rather than a specific disorder.  People with control issues feel the need to maintain power over nearly every aspect of their life, including personal and romantic relationships, family dynamics, and events in the workplace.

Signs

  • Being depressed or upset when not in control
  • Attention seeking behavior
  • Throwing a tantrum to manipulate others
  • Becoming upset when asked basic questions
  • Inability to accept the word “no”
  • Expecting everyone to bend to their will
  • Abuse of power

Causes

A potential cause of control issues is a failure to set or maintain boundaries.  Controlling people expect others to do what they want and never express interest in another person’s needs.  Other theories hold that a controlling person had some sort of childhood experiences that cause them to irrationally fear instability or unpredictability.  To compensate, they attempt to control all variables and remove uncertainty.

Treatment

It will be extremely difficult to confront a person with long term control issues and show them this side of their personality.  A first step might be helping the person to relieve stress and reach a place where they can relax.  It is more likely that the issues are rooted in past experiences that need to be discussed and reconciled.  This is best done through psychotherapy with a trained therapist who can be sensitive to the client’s needs while also challenging them to confront their issues.

We Can Help

Open Path’s therapists offer beneficial services that encourage insight, self-reflection, and healthy coping mechanisms. Our therapists furnish a supportive environment, providing healthy outlooks and understanding.

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