The Special It: Part II Treatment of the Passive-Aggressive Personality

Abstract

The second part of this two-part article describes the treatment associated with the passive-aggressive personality structure. Two features which distinguish passiveaggressives are “itness” and “specialness.” Passive-Aggressives are seen as locked into a helpless and frustrating unit with mother. This unit circles around father who deals with outside realities. The script motto is identified as, “I'm pretending I'm a prince/princess, but I don't really believe it.” A treatment plan of four stages-relationship building, contract setting, permission giving and redecision–is suggested.

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