Enmeshment happens in a relationship when the boundary between the self and the other is unclear or non-existent. TV soapies (all?) demonstrate enmeshment – when characters get into each other’s business every which way, harbour unreasonable/unhealthy expectations, and become deeply, “passionately” vested in every situation.

Health psychological boundaries are important to our wellbeing. In every relationship, we need to balance our connectedness with others with our inner sense of the differentiate self. Otherwise we literally lose our sense of self. Consequently every issue becomes personal, and drama ensues.

Enmeshment can hinder our ability to solve problems. When we are enmeshed, we become emotionally caught up in the problem. This stops us from practising sangfroid. Without professional detachment, we cannot see or think clearly through the emotional upheavals we are experiencing.