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Enmeshment

Enmeshment affects individuals and family systems (often entire families). Enmeshment creates a type of interweaving along with a convoluted style of an overwhelming involvement with other family members and at times close friends. The emotional stability of one member of the group — whether happy or sad — produces that response in all members. When one member is distraught, everyone is dismayed. What one person wishes, everyone requests the same wish. The position of the unique person is lost in the emotional involvement of the group. People who are deeply enmeshed just cannot say no easily, if at all. Their desires, wants and needs are not considered important.
 
Closely related with enmeshment is the ability for members to emotionally differentiate themselves from the feelings and considerations of others in the family system. Undifferentiated people find it difficult to uncouple their emotions and thoughts from the family and when asked to do so become cognitively and emotionally overwhelmed and find it difficult to think rationally and logically. Murray Bowen conducted a large body of research on this topic and is well worth the effort to become acquainted with his work.