AMBIVALENT FEELINGS AS A SIGN OF EMOTIONAL INSTABILITY
AMBIVALENT FEELINGS AS A SIGN OF EMOTIONAL INSTABILITY

Summary/Abstract: Ambivalence is used in the meaning of a duality in a person. It is the same like two different individuals live in a person with their own characters. One of it loves and the other hates; first is brave and the other is afraid to reveal himself to the others. In many literature sources, ambivalence is considered to be a serious sign of emotional instability, which is sometimes a symptom of a disease, but not always. Many authors view this phenomenon as insecurity, as fear of showing one?s true feelings in order not to be mocked, hurt, rejected by others. Certainly, such feelings have a negative effect on communication between people, because it becomes false and can lead to conflicts between them. Moreover, possible conflicts would increase the ambivalent feelings of the individual, because he/she understands that the consequences of communication can be negative, so one wants to prevent, to protect them oneself. The more the individual seeks the approval of the people around him, the more in tune with them will be his behavior, which also leads to the concealment of true emotions. And their disapproval or conflict between desired and actual behavior in society can lead to internal contradictions, which further destabilize the inner world of the individual. In social work, ambivalence can seriously impede the interaction between a client and a specialist, because it does not allow to reveal the nature of the problem to be worked on. Even at the first meeting with the social worker, it is normal for the client to be insure and to have different emotions in him. He does not know the extent to which the specialist and the social institution can be trusted. He is not sure what to expect: whether the system will help him or will reject him; whether or not he would regret seeking help. These feelings are compounded if the client feels guilty of the situation he or she is in, ashamed or highly respected by the specialist. Here, the role of the social worker is quite important. He should establish a trusted relationship with the client and help him/her to overcome this emotional instability, because it will seriously complicate the process of resolving the case and achieving a change in the behavior, attitudes and life of the individual. It is important to emphasize that emotional instability in children is a characteristic phenomenon because they lack the social experience and ability to express their emotions as they get older. However, ambivalence shows insecurity in an individual, regardless of his age, so work must be done to counteract it. It is also characteristic of the concept that the person experiences absolutely contradictory feelings (for example, love and hate) at the same moment, in the same situation at the same time. This leads to a great deal of confusion in person?s inner world and behavior and communication would be affected.

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