How Controlling Are You?
I often feel compelled to take charge in various circumstances.
At my job, I sometimes oversee every detail or manage others too closely.
I limit how family and friends allocate their time and choose their companions.
I often steer circumstances to achieve the results I prefer.
I'm content to let others take the lead during collective choices.
I strive to maintain full command over my emotional responses.
In a partnership, I usually handle the money matters.
I persuade people to act in ways they might not choose themselves.
I occasionally criticize others when they seem overly confident.
I have faith in my partner and don't interrogate their actions or locations.
Illness makes me nervous because I lose command over my physical state.
I frequently supervise others' tasks with excessive attention.
Personal discipline matters a great deal to me.
I struggle to approve of others' choices without raising concerns.
I believe I'm accountable for how others feel.
I adapt easily to unfamiliar settings, even with uncertainty ahead.
Facing health issues, I'm eager to grasp every detail about them.
I nag individuals when they don't meet my expectations.
I anticipate that people will adhere to my directions.
Keeping command during tense moments is crucial to me.
20 questions remaining
What You Should Know
- Fear and anxiety inside a person often cause them to act in controlling ways. Instead of dealing with those worries, people might project them onto other people. The desire to control may thus act as a safeguard against sensations of vulnerability.
- People who are controlling often want things to be perfect. Perfectionists want things to be predictable, under their control, and successful, and they may act in strict ways to get what they want.
- People who like to be in charge often do well at work. They might be very driven by their goals, work hard, and hire people or coworkers who do what they want.
- Being able to be flexible, open-minded, and accept different situations is good for your happiness, health, relationships, and mental health.
- Studies indicate that psychological flexibility, which contrasts with controlling behavior, is the principal factor contributing to the efficacy of psychotherapy. People can learn about their problems and fix them in a way that fits with their values.
Change
Improve your flexibility: You can keep working on your mental flexibility. Try looking at opportunities as challenges, looking at an issue from different angles, and letting your mind wander.
Face your fear: Ask yourself what you might be afraid of by giving up control and whether the outcome you fear will really happen.
Find a therapist. A mental health professional can help you deal with your need for control and learn how to make better choices in your life and with other people.
