Unlayer Your Problem Like A Psychologist

                                         

Understanding Layers of a Problems Like a Psychologist

Problems are natural to occur in everyone’s life and successfully solving them can give us a sense of accomplishment thus building our self-esteem. Although at times we might feel stuck in a situation which gives rise to frustration and increased stress level impacting our physiology, behavior as well as emotions and thoughts. 

Encountering such stubborn problems, it’s important to systematically move forward in order to resolve the issue by understanding it’s deeper construct, thus, providing us a path to work upon in order to achieve our goals.

In a 6-layer problem mechanism it is hypothesized that any problem constitutes of 6 layers where layer 1 is a surface layer and layer 6 being the deepest layer. 

Now, let us dig deeper into the 6-layer mechanism of problem.

Layer 1 The current understanding of problem as well as desired state.

The very first layer talks about the individual’s current understanding of “what the problem is” along with an understanding of “how will the situation be if the problem is resolved”. 

For example, my current problem is, “I feel I’m not utilizing my time in a productive manner” and the problem will be resolved when, “I am better able to manage my time and perform more productive activities”. 

Layer 2 Understanding of current problematic behavior, desired behavior, pathway to reach desired behavior and hindrances in achieving the goal.

The second layer talks about the individual’s current understanding of “what are the behaviors contributing towards the problem” along with “what are the correct behavior patterns that needs to be replace the problematic behaviors”. It also talks about the individual’s understanding of “how the correct behavior pattern should be applied in order to reach the desired outcome.” 

For example, perhaps the problem lies in disturbed sleeping patter and if I am able to wake up early, I will have more time to perform productive tasks therefore, I need to sleep early. 

Hindrances are various obstacles that might stop us from reaching to the desired goal. They can be clubbed together into four categories: 

a. lack of resources: they comprise of various resources like financial, time, knowledge, etc.

b. lack of clarity: they comprise of lack of knowledge about steps to follow. 

c. lack of skills: they comprise of specific skill set like emotional regulation skills, time management skills, interpersonal skills, etc.

d. lack of right mental state: it comprises of the real time thoughts, emotions and feelings which comes in the time of performing the desired behavior. 

For example, I might not have the necessary skills of time management and sleep hygiene routine to improve my sleep pattern and utilize my time in a more productive manner.

Layer 3 Mental state or specific thoughts, emotions or feelings in the real time which might create hindrance in performing the desired behavior. 

At times even when we know our goals and have an action plan the problem might arise in implementation. At, this layer we talk about certain moment to moment thoughts and feelings which might stop us from performing the task. 

Perhaps you might have encountered the phrase, “I know what is supposed to be done but I just don’t feel like doing it”. This is the example of real time thoughts and feelings. 

Layer 4 Believes, values, positive intentions, secondary gains or defense mechanism. 

The fourth layer talks about certain important values and beliefs that we might hold along with secondary gains which holds us back from performing the task. Therefore, they empower our real time thoughts, emotions and feelings. 

For example, most of my time is wasted in helping a friend who is going through breakup and constantly needs to talk after every few hours. Although, I am a good friend and helping person so I can’t say no to her even when it’s taking most of my time. Now my personal value of “being a good friend and helpful” is creating a hindrance in achieving my desired goal of “utilizing my time in productive activities”.

Layer 5 Past experiences 

The fifth layer talks about certain past experience which might range from being difficult to traumatic and depending upon their intensity might have occurred once or on multiple occasions which shaped our core beliefs and value system thus impacting on our capacity to perform the desired behavior. 

Layer 6 Repressed memory 

Certain past traumatic experiences are so difficult to handle that they might be unconsciously pushed out of our conscious awareness but might impact our behavior, thoughts, emotions and feelings.

Please note that it’s not necessary that all the layers are to be worked upon it differs from individual to individual. The important landmark is the point where the individual is able to naturally change their thoughts and feelings in real time situation in order to perform the desired behavior and accomplish goals.

If you face difficulty unlayering your problems, feel free to reach out to us by dropping a comment below.