2025.01.07ブログ
自我機能の回復には非常に時間がかかる
自我機能の回復には非常に時間がかかる
今回は、自我機能の回復には非常に時間がかかる、について解説します。
どんな主訴で来院したとしても、病名とその人の病態の重さは比例しません。
うつ病でも病態が軽い人もいれば、不安障害でも病態が重たい人もいます。
それはASDやADHDでも同様です。
生育歴が悪いと、基本的に病態水準は重たくなる傾向にあります。
特に０歳から５歳くらいまでの生育歴が非常に重要です。
そして病態が重たいと、自我機能の低下を認めます。
この自我機能が低い状態だと、自己評価もかなり低いですし、基本的信頼感を獲得することができる、他人との関係もうまくいかないことが多いでしょう。
漠然とした不安も認めてしまうかもしれません。
こういう状態から、自我機能の改善をはかっていくわけですが、ほんとうに長い時間がかかります。
まさに育てなおしに近い、と思います。
１０年くらいたって、だいぶ元気になったかなと、思うことが多いです。
生育歴が悪かったぶんだけ、育てなおしにも時間がかかります。
だからよくならないことをあせらないでほしい。
その不安をキープすることも自分にとって意味があります。
The Complexity of Psychological Conditions
Regardless of the presenting complaint, there is no direct correlation between a diagnosed condition and the severity of a person’s psychological state. For example:
Some individuals with depression may have mild symptoms, while others with anxiety disorders may experience extremely severe conditions.
The same applies to developmental disorders such as ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) and ADHD.
The Role of Early Life Development
A person’s developmental history plays a crucial role in determining the severity of their condition. Particularly, experiences during the critical period of ages 0 to 5 are highly influential.
Poor Developmental Environment: Those who experience adverse circumstances during early childhood tend to have a more severe clinical presentation.
Ego Function Decline: In cases of severe pathology, a significant decline in ego function is often observed.
What Happens When Ego Function Declines?
Low Self-Esteem: Individuals often have a poor self-concept, which makes it challenging to build confidence or feel competent in their abilities.
Difficulty Forming Relationships: The lack of basic trust, a foundational element for healthy interpersonal connections, often leads to struggles in relationships.
Persistent Anxiety: People may feel a vague, pervasive sense of unease, stemming from underdeveloped ego defenses and coping mechanisms.
Recovery Takes Time
Improving ego function in these circumstances is a long-term process. In many cases, it resembles "re-parenting" or "rebuilding" foundational emotional and psychological structures.
A Decade-Long Journey: It often takes around 10 years to see significant progress and observe a substantial increase in psychological resilience.
Proportional Effort: The greater the adversity in early life, the more time and effort are required to rebuild ego function.
Patience Is Crucial
For individuals on this journey, and for those supporting them:
Avoid Rushing the Process: Recovery cannot be expedited; it requires consistent effort and a supportive environment.
Find Meaning in the Struggle: Even the persistent challenges, such as enduring feelings of anxiety, may hold personal significance and contribute to growth over time.
Conclusion
The recovery of ego function is a long and gradual process, deeply influenced by early life experiences. For those who struggle with low self-esteem, trust issues, and pervasive anxiety, improvement requires patience, consistent support, and a focus on rebuilding the foundations of psychological resilience.
If you or someone you know is on this journey, remember that progress is possible—even if it takes years. The time invested in recovery is a meaningful step toward greater emotional and relational stability.
