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Showing posts from September, 2026

Understanding Boundaries: Porous, Rigid, and Healthy Limits for Mental Health

Boundaries are the invisible lines we draw around ourselves to protect our mental, emotional, and physical well-being. They dictate how we interact with the world and how we allow others to interact with us. According to Tawwab (2021), boundaries are essential for maintaining a sense of self and fostering mutual respect in relationships. Mental health professionals generally categorize boundaries into three main types: porous, rigid, and healthy. Understanding these categories is crucial because the boundaries we set profoundly impact our relationships, our emotional stability, and our susceptibility to conditions like depression. Porous Boundaries Porous boundaries, sometimes referred to as weak or diffuse boundaries, are characterized by over-involvement with others and a lack of separation between one's own feelings and the feelings of someone else (Cloud & Townsend, 1992). People with porous boundaries often struggle to say "no" and tend to overshare personal info...