A short reference for one schema. Compare all 18 schemas and five domains.
What Is Mistrust/Abuse Schema?
This schema involves the belief that others will intentionally harm, manipulate, or take advantage of you. It often develops from experiences of betrayal, abuse, or manipulation in childhood.
Common Signs
You might have this schema if you frequently experience:
- Difficulty trusting others, even close friends or family
- Hypervigilance for signs of deception or harm
- Expecting betrayal or manipulation
- Difficulty being vulnerable or opening up
- Assuming negative intentions in others' actions
- Constant guardedness in relationships
Fictional Everyday Examples
Here are some common ways mistrust/abuse schema shows up in daily life:
- •Assuming people have ulterior motives for being nice
- •Difficulty delegating or relying on others
- •Testing people's loyalty or trustworthiness
- •Keeping emotional walls up to protect yourself
- •Finding it hard to believe people genuinely care
Related Schemas
Compare this pattern with other possible explanations:
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Source and scope
Definitions are paraphrased and examples are fictional, for educational use. Consult the International Society of Schema Therapy’s central concepts.
These signs are not diagnostic criteria. How we prepare our content.
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