In a number of experiments spanning two decades, he has found that, as adults, anxious people have low self-esteem and are easily overwhelmed by negative emotions. •••Eventually, the co-regulation of emotions between mother and infant, or therapist and client, paves the way to self-mastery and self-regulation. Another way to be weaned off emotional dependence in childhood is to grow your own inner resources by tackling and learning from challenges. In this way, kids increase their tolerance of negative emotions, and master valuable skills to deal with problems on their own. A new, compassionate voice flickers into life, silencing that of the inner critic – itself an echo of insensitive earlier attachment figures.

Source: The Guardian January 10, 2020 10:30 UTC