Get ready to unravel the mysteries of the masochistic character trait during menopause! Discover how this trait can influence women’s lives and learn strategies to promote a balanced and fulfilling journey. Face the challenges with confidence and resilience!
How Does the Predominant Masochistic Character Trait Develop?
The masochistic character trait forms when a child is between 2.5 and 3.5 years old. In this same phase, the child also learns to control the muscles responsible for the sphincters.
Demanding parents or caregivers can contribute to the development of this character trait. For example, reprimanding a child for not being able to control the sphincters and urinating without warning, even in the presence of others, may humiliate the child.
An unresolved common issue in parenting is the need to exert total control over the child or to regulate the child’s behaviour according to preconceived ideals of values or results.
This constant pressure can stifle the child’s socialisation capacity and also influence behaviours related to eating, drinking, and bodily elimination.
Ultimately, the masochistic character trait emerges when the child feels constant intrusion, control, and humiliating subjugation, leading them to relinquish their autonomy and freedom.
How to Recognise Masochistic Character Traits
Physically, individuals with masochistic character traits tend to have a robust trunk, with muscular and developed arms and legs, as if they were ready to “carry the world on their backs”. In many cases, they tend to be shorter, which may be linked to the sensation of being “crushed” in childhood.
Wilhelm Reich observed that masochists have a characteristic of immobility, which is essentially a passive-aggressive posture towards others and life itself. This stems from a lack of trust in people, as those who should have loved them ended up invading and abusing them. This lack of trust in the world around them promotes a feeling of helplessness.
These individuals are often seen as “available” as they fear losing the affection of others. Despite their great strength and energy, the stagnation of this energy often leads them to complain of lack of energy and tiredness.
What Are the Challenges of the Masochistic Character Trait?
The masochistic character trait presents challenges that can significantly affect the daily lives of those who possess it. These difficulties often arise from a combination of past experiences and ingrained behavioural patterns.
Let’s explore some of these difficulties and how they manifest in daily life.
Fear of Making Mistakes
Masochists often face intense fear of making mistakes, resisting change and finding a certain negative pleasure in their own stagnation. They prefer to remain where they are than to risk changes that may result in error and humiliation.
Excessive Giving
Another challenge faced by masochistic character trait is the habit of excessively giving to others, often at the expense of their own dreams and needs. They forget themselves while dedicating themselves entirely to the care and concerns of others.
Excessive Work and Personal Neglect
Masochists tend to engage in a pattern of excessive work, dedicating themselves intensely to professional or personal tasks while neglecting their own health and well-being. This imbalance can lead to long-term physical and mental health problems.
Difficulty in Expressing Repressed Anger
Finally, masochists struggle to find a healthy balance between expressing repressed anger and controlling it when necessary. This internal struggle can result in unexpected emotional outbursts or continuous suppression of emotions, harming emotional well-being and interpersonal relationships.
How to Caring Masochist Character Trait
Just as women in menopause face a series of emotional and physical challenges, masochistic traits can intensify these difficulties, affecting overall well-being. However, there are ways to care for this character trait and promote a more balanced and fulfilling life.
Allowing Yourself to Express Emotions
The first step in caring for the masochistic trait is to allow yourself to express emotions freely. Often, people with this trait tend to suppress their feelings, which can lead to the accumulation of stress and anxiety.
Learning to recognise and express emotions healthily is essential for promoting emotional well-being.
Learning to Wait for Good Things in Life
Another important aspect is learning to wait for good things, even after difficult life experiences. Often, masochistic individuals have a negative view of the world and themselves, which can hinder the enjoyment of life’s good things.
Cultivating a positive mindset and valuing one’s feelings is essential to overcome this thinking pattern.
Allowing Yourself to Trust the Right People
A crucial aspect of caring for the masochistic trait is trusting the right people. Often, individuals with this trait struggle to trust due to past experiences of disappointment or abuse.
However, allowing oneself to open up to healthy and genuine relationships is essential for building a support network and promoting emotional well-being.
Building Self-Confidence
Another critical step is working on self-confidence. Masochistic individuals often have a negative view of themselves and doubt their own capabilities.
Developing higher self-esteem and recognising one’s abilities and achievements can help break this negative thinking pattern and promote greater self-confidence.
What Is the Impact of the Masochistic Trait on Women During Menopause?
The masochistic trait can have a significant impact on women’s lives during menopause.
Negative Aspects
Firstly, women with masochistic character trait may need to pay more attention to their health and well-being, taking care of themselves properly and overburdening themselves with work and responsibilities.
Moreover, they may find themselves in a position where they overextend themselves to help others, fearing abandonment or humiliation. This can result in a reluctance to seek help, as they may internalise the idea that they need to be strong and not show weakness.
As a result, they may not seek medical or emotional support when needed, which can negatively impact their physical and mental health during menopause.
Additionally, due to low self-esteem and feeling undeserving, women with the masochistic trait may accept negative changes in this phase of life as “normal”, not seeking ways to improve their quality of life or seek treatment for uncomfortable symptoms associated with menopause.
Positive Aspects
On the other hand, women with a predominantly masochistic character trait have valuable resources to face the challenges of this stage of life.
Their organisational and planning skills can help them effectively manage changes in this phase of life, ensuring they do not neglect their health and well-being.
Furthermore, their resilience allows them to cope with stress and overcome adversities, strengthening their ability to face the emotional and physical changes associated with menopause.
With their empathy and ability to support others, they can seek and share emotional support during this transition period. At the same time, their work ethic can be directed towards self-care, helping them set realistic goals to improve their physical and mental health.
By harnessing these characteristics, women can face menopause with more confidence, resilience, and focus on personal well-being.
In Summary
The masochistic character trait can pose a significant challenge for women during menopause, affecting their physical, mental, and emotional health.
However, by recognising these challenges and adopting strategies to care for this trait, women can promote a more balanced and fulfilling life, embracing their positive characteristics and seeking support when needed.
With a proactive approach and a focus on self-care, women can face menopause with more confidence, resilience, and well-being.