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communicate with other people, and be identify problematic overcontrol. This will
more flexible in the midst of changing make it easier for researchers to continue
situations. studying overcontrol, too.
Importantly, this therapy is High self-control is typically admired and
transdiagonistic, which means it can be highly overcontrolled people are rarely
helpful regardless of what mental health open about their struggles. That’s why
condition a person might have been problematic overcontrol can go unnoticed
diagnosed with before. Research shows for a long time. Continued work in this field
that it may be useful for people who will hopefully make it easier for people to
struggle with a range of mental health get the help they need.
conditions – such as treatment-resistant Importantly, overcontrol and
depression, anorexia nervosa and autism undercontrol are complex concepts and
spectrum disorders. cannot be self-diagnosed. If you suspect
But, to receive suitable help, a person you may be highly overcontrolled or
must first be correctly identified as highly undercontrolled – and especially if it’s
overcontrolled. affecting your health and wellbeing – it’s
The current assessment of overcontrol important to reach out to a doctor or a
is quite long and complex. It involves a therapist.
few questionnaires and an interview that
must be conducted by a specially trained This article is published with permission
clinician. This can limit access to support from theconversation.com Alex Lambert is
and slow down research. a PhD Candidate, Psychology (Personality
I am working on developing a simplified Psychopathology), Nottingham Trent
assessment method that will help promptly University
SENIORS TODAY | ISSUE #54 | DECEMBER 2023 21
