By Brian R. Johnson, Ph.D. Boundary and limit are words that people usually associate with real estate and merchandise. However, these words are also important when talking about human relationships. They delineate how much an individual has to give of something such as time, money, or energy.
Boundaries also separate one person's needs, wants, desires, thoughts and feelings from others'.
Limits are also used in relationships to make things safe both for the ones setting the limits and for others. This booklet is for anyone who has difficulty maintaining healthy limits in relationships. This publication increases the reader's understanding of boundaries, limits, and the common, appropriate ways people set limits. Special attention is paid to the issue of the way individuals who tend to violate boundaries become entwined with those who do not know how to set limits. The issue of relationships with blurred boundaries is also addressed.