‘You're Obviously Not Trying Hard Enough’: A Qualitative Exploration of the Construct of Overcontrol.
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Authors
O'Sullivan, C.
Booth, R.
Egan, R.
Guerin, S.
Issue Date
2025-07-16
Type
Article
Language
en
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
Background
The concept of overcontrol is gaining increasing attention in clinical settings. However, research on the lived experience of overcontrol is limited. This study explores what constitutes overcontrol and how it interacts with mental health difficulties.
Method
Twelve participants took part in two interviews each—one at the start of and one after an intervention targeting overcontrol, resulting in 24 interviews, paired as 12 dyads. While this was not an intervention study, this design was used to capture the depth and breadth of individuals' understanding of overcontrol, which was hypothesised to deepen over the course of engagement with supports, including this intervention. An interpretative phenomenological analysis approach was used to explore data sets.
Results
Analysis identified three superordinate themes regarding how overcontrol is conceptualised. These were ‘Fallacy of control,’ ‘Lone outsider to common humanity’ and ‘Environmental learning.’ Three superordinate themes in relation to the interaction between overcontrol and mental health difficulties were also identified. These were ‘Isolation,’ ‘Safety and masking’ and ‘Reluctance to seek help.’
Conclusion
Overcontrol is a complex concept that participants described as a response style often perceived initially as fixed and driven by a need for safety. It was linked to feelings of isolation and being different from others. Participants commonly associated overcontrol with responses to challenging early life experiences or trauma. Themes such as reluctance to seek help, masking inner emotions and isolation were identified as factors affecting mental health. This research highlights the importance of increasing clinician awareness of overcontrol to develop appropriate interventions and to avoid underestimating the distress experienced by overcontrolled individuals.
Description
Citation
O'Sullivan, C., Booth, R., Egan, R., & Guerin, S. (2025). ‘You're Obviously Not Trying Hard Enough’: A Qualitative Exploration of the Construct of Overcontrol. Counselling and Psychotherapy Research, 25(3), e70032.