If your sense of who you are is defined by judgments or actions of others, then you are experiencing enmeshment. Over investment in others and less investment in yourself. Enmeshing can feel controlling and over bearing, which contributes to more cut-off and abandonment experiences as the other person tries to pull away. The purpose of enmeshing eventually comes to the surface over and over again if the original issue is not addressed.
What is enmeshment anyway? This word is used to describe behaviors that appear between couples or family members who risk losing their own identity by overly investing in another person. The struggle isn’t obvious or have negative connotations. Enmeshment can occur for years, beginning in childhood and last into adulthood. It is the opposite of self-differentiation. My parents taught me that going to college was the only option after high school. This enmeshment was okay with me as a child who needed guidance. I didn’t have negative experiences with my parents’ educational choices. But, I didn’t entertain possibly not going to college. A small price, in my opinion. Enmeshment can be negative and positive, depending on the relationship. But it can cause an inability to self-differentiate. The experience of losing oneself in personal relationships has negative effects. The gift of attempting to not enmesh and remain interdependent is gaining an understanding of your self, fully. To remain at the mercy of another person’s definition is a personal loss. Learning from your enmeshment helps you know who you are and gain trust in your own identity.
Enmeshment is the projection of oneself onto another. Another’s personal fears and insecurities. Over developed sense of worth through another person. There are so many ways that people overly identify with a spouse or family member. Enmeshment in parenting can look like “helicopter” parents. Or parents who wish to be “friends” with children. Enmeshment is the desire to avoid self-shame or a perception of being rejected or abandoned by a loved one. Enmeshment begins with childhood fears of rejection or abandonment. The response to this fear is the “enmeshing” choice. In negative enmeshment, there is the exchange of critical words, defensiveness, and a deep involvement and investment in
continuing to fight and argue. If you feel that you have to defend yourself constantly or provide reassurances to your spouse regularly then you are enmeshed. In a more positive or affirming experience, you may be rewarded for rescuing someone in an emotional struggle. The person may feel grateful for the relief, but actually experience limited personal growth. In the moment, this feels positive. Either way, it is the choice to be overly involved with another, losing your sense of self. This is unhealthy for both people. It is merely a defense to control the other person’s behaviors. This is not based in a healthy need, but might fit the dynamics of an enmeshed relationship. This decision is made instantly if there is a sense of impending abandonment or shame. Abandonment that might be emotional or physical. This dependency is normal in childhood. In adult relationships, it is our personal responsibility to notice when we betray our voice and trade-in our ability to choose other options. Enmeshment can kick into high gear, allowing fears to gain dominance in decision making during parenting or in intimate relationships. Enmeshing feels comforting at first, but in the long run leads to frustration and abandonment. Why? Because the choice was not based in what you or another person truly needed. It isn’t gaining a real resolution to an issue. It is a mistake in judgment that is fear based instead of healthy need based. Enmeshing can lead to more strife, anger, mistrust, and blaming. The emotional distress eventually does cause break downs in the relationship.
In the honey moon phase of dating or marriage, enmeshment allows blinders, so that people remain oblivious to emotional issues in order to stay together. Being a human being means being flawed and imperfect. Once enmeshment wears off, both people reveal a more true self to one another. It is during this time that enmeshment occurs for both parties because the desire to remain in the fantasy phase of the relationship feels better than the real person they find next to them. This helps to maintain a false sense of security. Learning a healthy tolerance for flawed intimacy and brokenness helps discourage enmeshing. Self-differentiation feels much better and allows a more solid relationship for the long haul. Why? Because self-differentiation can allow for real resolution through truth. Maintaining an understanding of your needs and reactions, separate from others, and having appropriate boundaries can help you maintain a steady and healthy relationship with yourself and then others.
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