self protection

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Playing the Victim? A Deeper Look at Victim Mentality

by Counseling and Wellness Center of PittsburghMay 16, 2025 choice theory, emotional invalidation, external locus of control, helpless, helplessness, invalidation, learned helplessness, maladaptive assumptions, maladaptive coping mechanisms, personal power, playing the victim, powerlessness, self protection, victim blaming, victim complex, victim mentality, victimhood0 comments
Playing the Victim? A Deeper Look at Victim Mentality If you’ve been accused of playing the victim, or if you’re trying to understand why someone you know seems stuck in a cycle of helplessness, you’re not alone. The term “victim mentality” often stirs up strong emotions and assumptions. It’s frequently associated with manipulation or avoidance of responsibility,...
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Why Am I So Defensive? Defensiveness as Self Advocacy?

by Counseling and Wellness Center of PittsburghMarch 17, 2025 defend, defensive, defensiveness, gottman method, invalidating, invalidation, self advocacy, self efficacy, self empowerment, self protection, why am i so defensive0 comments
Why Am I So Defensive? Exploring Defensiveness as Self Advocacy You sit down to dinner with your partner and they make a comment about having pasta again this week. You feel a rush of heat, and before you know it, you’re becoming defensive, overexplaining yourself about how busy your week has been, how you didn’t have time, and so what if it’s pasta again....
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