Hyper-Independence: When “I Don’t Need Anyone” Is More Than Just Independence Introduction A few days ago, I came across a reel in which a young Pakistani actress Mashal Khan was asked, “What is a quiet symptom of grief?” Her answer was “hyper-independence.” It caught my attention—not because her answer was wrong, but because it was incomplete. Hyper-independence can certainly develop following grief and significant loss. When people lose someone important, they may become more self-reliant as a way of protecting themselves from further emotional pain. But grief is not the only experience that can lead to this pattern. A person may become hyper-independent because of anxiety, depression, childhood emotional neglect, trauma, insecure attachment, repeated disappointment, or experiences that have taught them that depending on others is unsafe. Social media has made psychological concepts much more accessible to the general public, which is a wonderful thing. At the same t...
In our diverse world, there's much to address. Sometimes, we're victims of others' games, yet at times, we only reveal part of our story. Each of us is shaped by our experiences, whether saintly, wicked, or somewhere in between. To earn respect for our own stories, we must also respect others' journeys. This requires empathy and self-compassion. My blogs will explore psychological insights and social issues, often influenced by my religious beliefs.