Behavior Is Information: What the Labels Never Explained

What if the labels we give people describe the behavior we see—but completely miss what is happening underneath it?
I've been called lazy, angry, manipulative, attention-seeking, self-sabotaging, noncompliant, and difficult. And here's the uncomfortable truth: at different points in my life, some of my behaviors gave people very good reasons to use those words.
I hurt people. I pushed healthy people away. I created chaos. I lied to avoid confrontation. I looked for validation in unhealthy ways. I missed appointments, questioned providers, struggled to follow through, and sometimes fought…