When Helping Hurts

Psychology Today | 13.11.2026 02:46
Can helping another person do more harm than good? That depends on how we define “help.” When we undermine another person’s autonomy, confidence, independence, freedom, growth, or power, we are not helping—we may be doing more harm than good. Real help implies doing what is best for another’s growth and development, not what is best for the person who wants to be helpful.