Why Do People Remain Stuck in the Dysfunctional Patterns?

When triggered, we revert to the coping skills or defense mechanisms that we learned in the past. Coping skills refer to healthy practices to solve problems. Defense mechanisms are unconscious reactions to problems, pain, or suffering. The subconscious brings information to the surface when it feels we are ready to heal it. However, if a person is used to ignoring, suppressing, or engaging in self-sabotaging, healing gets delayed.

For negative patterns to be healed, a person must own their healing process and be proactive towards solving problems. Self-regulation becomes possible when we recognize pain of any kind as an opportunity to heal. Addressing the pain with therapy, recovery, or other healing modalities proves to the subconscious part of the brain that you are consciously choosing to be healthy.

When your subconscious recognizes that you are choosing to be self-regulated, healed, and responsible, it will work with you in beautiful ways. What once was a continuous cycle of pain becomes a journey of healing, the moment a person decides to diligently pull the weeds out of their own garden. Sometimes, we can do the work on our own. However, often, pain creates blinders, preventing the ability to see how to heal the negative patterns. Working with a clinician or practitioner can often be the missing key to a new healthier way of being.