Psychology Articles

Everyone experiences feelings of anger or irritability, but people with bipolar disorder are especially prone to these feelings and the adverse effects of anger. In fact, sudden feelings of anger or irritability are key symptoms of mania. Inappropriate anger attacks occur in up to 60 percent of ...

You exercise your cardio-vascular system with aerobics. You strengthen your muscular system with weight training. You watch your diet to avoid toxins and supply nutrients. All these good things promote health and vitality. But what have you done for your brain lately? It’s the most important ...

Divorce is often brutal both to the divorcing spouses and to their children. This discussion will appreciate the enormous stress and distress that divorce subjects upon families, including both the adults and children. A syndrome of divorce-related hostilities that affect children has been ... Divorce is often brutal both to the divorcing spouses and to their children. This discussion will appreciate the enormous stress and distress that divorce subjects upon families, including both the adults and children.r

Some patients hear “bipolar disorder” and immediately protest: “Oh, no Doc, I know what bipolar disorder is. That’s mania, right? I’ve never had that.”

Wow…the Winter Olympics are gone but the idea of how many good lessons we could learn from them keeps gravitating in my head. The most important is the idea of persistence and trying again vs the typical win or loose model, not only when pursuing an Olympic medal but in life. Stop for a second and think if you are one of those people for whom the word looser tends to come often into your mind? Or do you constantly deal with a feeling of winning or loosing in life even when things are small and maybe not so important? If so, this article is for you.

How to Shut Down My Brain So I Can Sleep

A great deal of what has been said about the Law of Attraction is only half the story. Attraction is one of two forces contained within magnetism. The other is ‘repulsion.’ Magnetism does not operate without both poles. In other words, if you can accept that you are currently attracting the elements of your life, then you are also repelling energies as well, simultaneously. In fact, you are probably repelling a lot more than you are attracting. Your entire field of experience, everything you have attracted to you, is small in comparison to all that is being repelled, all that is possible.

Ritual abuse exists all over the world. There have been reports, journal articles[1][2][3], web pages[4][5][6][7][8][9] and criminal convictions of crimes against children and adults [10][11][12]. Contents * 1 Definition * 2 Origins of the term * 3 Evidence * 4 References * 5 Bibliography * 6 Exte al Links Definition Ritual abuse has been defined as: a brutal form of abuse of children, adolescents, and adults, consisting of physical, sexual, and psychological abuse, and involving the use of rituals. Ritual does not necessarily mean satanic.

In Parental Alienation Syndrome, one parent brainwashes or programs the child to turn against and vilify the other parent. It is difficult for many people to understand how an alienating parent could implant information that may be directly at variance with what the child had previously believed and experienced with the now-targeted parent.

In my YouTube video, Parental Alienation Syndrome Excerpts from Gregory Mantell Show, I have excerpted segments from an excellent discussion of Parental Alienation. This episode is from a weekly half-hour progam, the most successful talk show on the internet. "The Gregory Mantell Show” also airs on cable TV in Los Angeles and NYC. The episode’s discussion is comprehensive and features Dr. Jayne Major and police officer Catherine MacWillie. I have excerpted approximately 6 min from this 26 min segment. The excerpts will speak for themselves with one comment that I reserve at the end.

As the New Year approaches, thousands of people make New Year resolutions, determined to change their lives or aspects of them. By the third or fourth of January, many have broken them and by the middle of the month, most have forgotten them completely, yet alone used them as the impetus to change their lives. What is this collective urge to usher in a New Year, determined to make it different from the previous one?

Mindfulness is spilling into areas beyond medicine, healthcare, psychology and neuroscience. It’s moving into programs in education with children and college students, parenting, athletics, the legal profession and business. Studies of Mindfulness in a business context have shown that increases in mindfulness are associated with increased creativity and decreased burnout and executive and corporate mindfulness leadership programs are emerging to meet the need.

Here is a simple meditation that will put a smile on your face….You can do it laying down in bed, sitting up in a chair or in the more traditional cross legged or lotus posture. The meditation of appreciation is basically giving thanks to the many parts of your body that are working. You can often tell when a part of the body is working well when you are NOT noticing it. It is only when things don’t work that we become focused upon them. If you’re NOT aware of your back, then it’s probably working fine. If you’re NOT aware of your toes, then they are likely working fine.

The Fear of Failure

How fit do you consider yourself? You can be fit in any number of arenas--financial, health, physical, etc. You consult doctors, financial planners, chiropractors, CPA's, tax analysts, bankers, stock brokers, nutritionists, tennis pros, golf pros, physical therapists, fitness trainers and anyone else who might be able to help you raise your particular fitness quotient. But have you ever thought about the level of your mental fitness?

We hear a lot about physical fitness. Every town has at least one, and probably several, gyms. You see people jogging around town and television infomercials are filled with the latest workout program or gadget to help you get into shape. There is no question that physical fitness is important. But, what about psychological fitness?

How to Understand Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder I had just completed my evaluation of 11 year-old Timmy. His parents had brought him to me because of behavior problems and the teacher's complaint that he was "underachieving" in school. Timmy, I explained, has attention deficit ...How to Understand Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

“Maybe if I have this client blink his eyes at an increased speed, while exposing him to his past, and add some cognitive behavioral therapy while sitting next to a waterfall, he may be able to function more effectively in his life!” Yes this is rather exaggerated, however it demonstrates ...

'60 Minutes' antidepressant report may be 'explosive,' but it's not conclusive. Studies linking the placebo effect to antidepressants have been around for more than a decade. There have, however, been far more studies showing antidepressants to be significantly more effective than placebos. The good in the 60 minutes program is that it will stimulate scientific inquiry into this question. If Dr. Kirsch is right, we want to know. If he has an agenda and/or is wrong, he and the media, which uncritically jump on sensational stories, are doing a disservice with potentially great harm.

“You can’t always get what you want . . .” The Rolling Stones will soon be singing this refrain at venues around the world, as they embark on a year-long concert tour in August. nnThis song, now decades old, addresses a universal truth. Here’s the rest of the refrain:nnYou can't always get what you want . . .nBut if you try sometimesnYou just might findnYou get what you need.nnnWhat is it that you really wanted and didn’t get? The affections of a person who was with

Despite years researching and treating this topic, I find it to be poorly understood but extremely destructive both to parents and to children of divorce. Parents who have lost their child through alienation have sometimes described it as worse than the death of their child because, for the parent, it is an unresolved loss.

The Parental Alienation Syndrome, introduced by forensic psychiatrist Richard Gardner, carries the connotation of the mother as the predominant alienator. I have seen both mothers and fathers alienate their children from the other parent. I have therefore introduced the term malicious divorce syndrome as a gender- neutral name for this disorder.

The era of personal development in which we exist, echoes the message 'You are here to find your purpose'. The implication is that once we find our true meaning and purpose for living, we unlock the key to health, abundance and happiness. Anyone responding to that call finds themselves on a path of self-discovery in search of the holy grail of one's unique purpose and meaning. There is no shortage of information, direction, processes or value systems beseeching us to heed their solutions. Nor is there any overriding system enabling us to evaluate the merit of their claims.

Some women’s groups have denounced and denied the existence of Parental Alienation Syndrome, claiming it is a ploy by men to use against women. The claim that PAS has not been accepted in U.S. courts of law is not true. Although there are judges who have not recognized Parental Alienation Syndrome, there is no question that some American and foreign courts are recognizing the condition.

This paper will delineate the etiological antecedents of Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) and enumerate upon the scientific evidence proving the existence of DID. (I will use the term DID for MPD to avoid confusion, even when the original author cited may have used the original term MPD.) ...

Mary Pearson, Financial Post Published: Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Neuropsychology is the study of the relationship between the structure and functioning of the brain and everyday behavior. Although we all share the same planet, each of us sees, hears, touches and smells our own individual universe of experience. Art, music, dance, and to some degree language, allow us to share our experiences, yet we often fail to 'connect' at an interpersonal level. Man is a social animal. This means that we each have a unique role within the tribe of mankind.

Parental Alienation Syndrome (PAS) has, to date, not been included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders and is not widely accepted in United States courts. Even after it might be included in the diagnostic manual, courtroom arguments will likely continue for decades – because it appears invisible. Unlike physical abuse where scars and wounds are exte al, PAS destroys internally and, thus, a denial that PAS has occurred is relatively easy.

In Parental Alienation Syndrome, courts, atto eys, police, social workers, therapists, and friends often assume that what the presumably frightened alienating parent is saying is true. People may believe fabrications by the alienator because the kinds of abuse the alienator claims DO and are known to happen. There are, indeed, ex-spouses who are abusers and sexual molesters. The alienating parent can be very convincing with detailed, vivid stories. The clincher is that the alienated child corroborates the alienating parent’s version of how terrible the targeted parent is.

"Learning that one's child has bipolar disorder can be traumatic. Diagnosis usually follows months or years of the child's mood instability, school difficulties, and damaged relationships with family and friends. However, diagnosis can and should be a turning point for everyone conce ed. Once ..."Learning that one's child has bipolar disorder can be traumatic. Diagnosis usually follows months or years of the child's mood instability, school difficulties, and damaged relationships with family and friends.

Dr. Linet has extensive experience and expertise in the problem of abuse in its various forms. Most people are more familiar with the concept of physical abuse than they are of nonphysical abuse. The terms, nonphysical abuse, relationship abuse, verbal abuse, emotional abuse, and ... Dr. Linet has extensive experience and expertise in the problem of abuse in its various forms. Most people are more familiar with the concept of physical abuse than they are of nonphysical abuse.

Change! Such a loaded word. What comes to your mind when you think of the word change? Stop for a minute and try to answer that question. What types of feelings does it bring up in you? Hope, excitement, joy, or on the other hand, fear, anxiety, loss, or to make things more complicated, a combination of both? I really like this anonymous quote “Life is change. Growth is optional. Choose wisely,” because I feel it very much encompasses the point I would like to make in this article.

Obsessions are persistent but unwanted ideas, thoughts, impulses, or images that cause marked anxiety or distress. The most common obsessions are about contamination or repeated doubts (e.g., whether one has performed some act such as having hurt someone in a traffic accident or having left ... Obsessions are persistent but unwanted ideas, thoughts, impulses, or images that cause marked anxiety or distress.

Not all teams are created equal. Some teams clearly ARE better than others. They get more done, and with less squabbling. Still, there are instances of teams performing heroically even though they may all dislike each other. Keeping in mind there are various definitions of teams and their purposes, we can paint a fairly clear picture of what we WANT in the ideal team. Here are 17 things we know that peak-performing teams have in common. 1. All teams experience conflict. The successful ones manage it and succeed in spite of it. 2. All teams have weaknesses.

What rating would you give yourself on personal productivity? Do you have a systematic plan for improving your effectiveness in your daily work? Superachieving business people and athletes know what it takes to motivate themselves, maintain focus in the face of obstacles and drive forward to the completion of their vision and dreams.

The things that can go wrong with your body when your thyroid function is low are so pervasive and extensive it’s startling. So many of the difficulties and indignities we learn to live with, thinking they’re an inevitable part of aging, are actually the result of low thyroid function and are ...

A strategic business plan provides the organization a sense of direction and a sense of purpose It answers the questions “Who are we?”, “What value are we creating for the stakeholders?” and “What does success look like?” Performance management is the process that ensures the implementation of the Strategic Business Plan by focusing on performance of the Company, the Division or Region, the Department or work group, and the individual employee.

One late-night talk-show host is famous for his top-ten lists. I hope he won’t mind, but I’m going to borrow his idea. Here’s my top-ten list of questions asked most often about genital herpes. They come from patients at my clinic and from the WebMD message board. And if your question isn’t in ...

Two types of seasonal affective disorder have been identified: winter SAD and summer SAD - winter SAD being far more common. Characteristic is a reduction in mood and/or energy during periods of reduced hours of sunshine and daylight (even during the summer). Common symptoms include ... Two types of seasonal affective disorder have been identified: winter SAD and summer SAD - winter SAD being far more common. Characteristic is a reduction in mood and/or energy during periods of reduced hours of sunshine and daylight (even during the summer).

Question: Do narcissists have friends? Answer: Not in the usual sense of the word and not that they know of. The narcissist is one track minded. He is interested in securing the provision of Narcissistic Supply emanating from Narcissistic Supply Sources. His world is as narrow as an ant's, to ...

A common narcissistic personality disorder trait is pathological lying. The narcissist presents to the world the creation of his false self. This false self is based on the image of who the narcissist would like to be rather than how he really feels about himself at a deep inner level. As a result, the narcissistic personality disorder trait of outrageous and vindictive lying is a faux shop front regarding the narcissist’ssupposed accomplishments and achievements, as well a

Are you working longer hours but getting less done? Are you being asked to do more in less time? Beginning to feel like a hostage at work? Productivity problems can make you feel incredibly stressed--and then you're just spinning your wheels. But there is help. You can use your mind. You can soon be winning the mental game of personal productivity. Peak-performing sales professionals work smarter, not harder. They want to achieve to the maximum in business and then go play. Here's how you can do that too. 1.

The terms “anxiety attack” and “panic attack” are used interchangeably in popular culture, but they have very specific and different meanings to psychiatrists, so I’d like you to know what the difference is too. It’s important to know whether you are having and anxiety attack or a panic attack because it will affect the type of treatment that you are likely to respond to (as I’ll discuss at the end of this article). nnAn anxiety attack is when something bad happ

To create our subtypes we reviewed numerous cases of rescuing behavior in intimate relationships. We examined and compared the personality styles, behavior in relationships, and early history. From this review, four basic subtypes of rescuers emerged: the overly empathic white knight, the ...

Brain development inside the womb, value of music- Baby Einstein….. The bond between parents and babies is one of the strongest forces in nature. Romances come and go, but once you've fallen for your baby, you're probably hooked for life. I have heard many mothers say that: having her in my ...

As human beings we have an innate need “to do”. We build, we repare, we create. We use tools, and if we don’t have the appropriate tool at hand, we create one. We use and manipulate all forms of media, including space. We occupy our environment and we change it as our needs require.

What Your Body Language Signals: Why we make the gestures that we do with our bodies, is directly caused by our state of mind at that particular point in time and place. The following is an alphabetized list of the traits we exhibit: Aggressive, Defensive Or Hostile: When one is feeling aggressive, defensive or hostile, eye contact is dramatically increased. Anger, Defensive, General Unhappiness: Knitted and downtu ed eyebrows, closed and defensive arms, squeezed foreheads

The third edition of this popular test, the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI-III), has been published in 1996. With 175 items, it is much shorter and simpler to administer and to interpret than the MMPI-II. The MCMI-III diagnoses personality disorders and Axis I disorders but not other mental health problems. The inventory is based on Millon's suggested multiaxial model in which long-term characteristics and traits interact with clinical symptoms. The questions in

Narcissistic Injury An occasional or circumstantial threat (real or imagined) to the narcissist's grandiose and fantastic self-perception (False Self) as perfect, omnipotent, omniscient, and entitled to special treatment and recognition, regardless of his actual accomplishments (or lack ...

"Everyone believes the world's greatest lie..." says the mysterious old man.n"What is the world's greatest lie?" the little boy asks.nThe old man replies, "It's this: that at a certain point in our lives, we lose control of what's happening to us, and our lives become controlled by fate. That's the world's greatest lie."n(An excerpt from The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. A fable about following your dreams.)nnDo you believe you have no control over your life? Are you who you are

Inevitably, the sexual fantasy life of narcissists and psychopaths reflects their psychodynamic landscape: their fear of intimacy, misogyny, control freakiness, auto-eroticism, latent sadism and masochism, problems of gender identity, and various sexual paraphilias. Fantasies which reflect a fear of intimacy involve the aggressive or violent objectification of a faceless, nameless, and sometimes sexless person, often in impersonal, alien or foreign settings (example: narrati

Question: Are narcissists mostly hyperactive or hypoactive sexually and to what extent are they likely to be unfaithful in marriage? Answer: Broadly speaking, there are two types of narcissists, loosely corresponding to the two categories mentioned in the question. Sex for the narcissist is ...

I had a conversation recently with an old friend from high school. He said that he would have never pegged me for an introvert. I was a cheerleader, in the band, and in all of the high school plays – it didn't make sense. Since that conversation, I've given a lot of thought to the way I was then and the way I am now (almost 30 years later). The truth is, I'm the same person. I've always had an introverts mind. I spent all of my younger years trying to fit in, not even realiz

Love a schizoidr How to sustain a relationship with a schizoidr THE SCHIZOIDS are people who do not make affective links, they are emotionally cold, avoiding social relations and have significant difficulties in their working lives and their relationships. Here is a sequence that is sometimes occurring: : 1- Falling in love If you're a woman you can find a man, who is respectful, cultured, shy ... You can fall in love with him because of some reason ... or simply for the sake of it.

An open mind is good thing - most of the time. New ideas, new experience, increased knowledge, personal and professional growth, better relationships and an overall positive approach to life are just a few of the benefits of having an open mind. However, there are some pitfalls. Like an open window or an open door in which bugs can enter the home, an open mind is susceptible to litter, junk, lies and deceptions, false information and misdirection. The open mind, like an open window, needs a screen to keep the bugs out.

Interview granted to Samantha Cleaver for YourTango.com Q. What are some common ways that a mother's narcissism can affect her daughter's relationships? A. Depends on how narcissistic the mother is. Narcissistic parents fail to recognize and accept the personal autonomy and boundaries of their offspring. They treat them as instruments of gratification or extensions of themselves.

Are you in a relationship with someone who drives you crazy? Are you in a relationship with someone who no matter how well you point out the facts of their irresponsibility or immaturity they find some way to justify and rationalize all they do? Do you leave conversations with these people feeling unheard, angry and exasperated? If so, you are in a relationship with a difficult person, one who I call an Adult-Child or a Crazy Maker.

Greetings Fellow Stumblers! My Name is David Riklan, and I’m a Stumbler. Here are my Top 10 Reasons that Stumbleupon Users (Stumblers) are Smarter tha Other People. 1) We make quick decisions Tens, hundreds or thousands of them instantly. (This website Sucks, sucks, good site, okay, okay, WOW!, sucks, really sucks, good site, Wow!) 2) We know everything that is going on We view massive amount of interesting knowledge on a daily basis including: news, video, arts, busines

The Sadistic Personality Disorder made its last appearance in the DSM III-TR and was removed from the DSM IV and from its text revision, the DSM IV-TR. Some scholars, notably Theodore Millon, regard its removal as a mistake and lobby for its reinstatement in future editions of the DSM. The ...

When we are in love, the world is golden and nothing gets us down. When we are out of love, we are desperate to regain those feelings we had while in love. The desperation can be so intense, we find ourselves thinking and doing things we would be ashamed to tell our best friend. The excitement of falling in love, being in love, is not just a thrilling psychological and emotional experience. It is as well a bio-chemical experience, what might be called a "high," and there are resemblances to a chemical addiction, and withdrawal, which become evident when we break-up.

It is not common knowledge that divorce is actually a social phenomenon in existence since the time of ancient Mesopotamia. This suggests that the roots of our collective disillusionment with the institution of marriage have some deep, and perhaps meaningful, roots. To understand the meaning of ...

Research indicates that a variety of factors can be associated with the onset of manic symptoms (Johnson 2005; Goodwin and Jamison 2007; Bauer 2008a). It is important to recognize such potential triggers because avoiding or reducing exposure to them can reduce the likelihood that manic symptoms ...

At times, everyone experiences emotions so intense that there’s no controlling them or talking ourselves out of them. When the emotions you feel are so overwhelming that you just need to stop what you’re doing and deal with them, here are some tips for what to do. Remember that feeling your emotions, especially the painful ones, is the way through them.

I would like to introduce you to all the manipulation possibilities of the word “not”. We use it every day dozens of times, but only a very small group of people is fully aware of the power residing in it. Before you too will discover it, I would like to offer you a very interesting experiment. Below are few commands I would like you to read them carefully, close your eyes, repeat them slowly one after another in your thoughts and see how your mind reacts to them.

The other day you were looking, totally innocently, for a telephone number in your partner’s phone, and what you found was much more than the number you were looking for! Now you don’t know what to do with the information. You have discovered your partner has been sexting with a coworker for a few weeks: How should you handle the situation?

Of course they do. All humans have emotions. It is how we choose to relate to our emotions that matters. The narcissist tends to repress them so deeply that, for all practical purposes, they play no conscious role in his life and conduct, though they play an extraordinarily large unconscious ...

People seem to go through two separate periods in their reactions to having herpes. The first obviously comes right away; it starts as you sit in your clinician’s office and hear the words, “I think you may have herpes,” and continues until you get your test results that confirm those ...

Billions of people around the world experience acne over their lifetimes. In fact, acne is the single most common skin disorder, and more common than all other skin disorders combined. nnWith this being the case, it is not surprising to see literally thousands of different acne treatments available on the market today. There are prescription medications, such as accutane, and Retin-A. These work well on severe cystic acne. There are also over the counter medications, such as

Dissociative identity disorder (formerly called Multiple Personality Disorder or MPD) is defined in the DSM-IV-TR as the presence of two or more personality states or distinct identities that repeatedly take control of one’s behavior. The patient has an inability to recall personal information. The extent of this lack of recall is too great to be explained by normal forgetfulness. The disorder cannot be due to the direct physical effects of a general medical condition or substance.[1] DID entails a failure to integrate certain aspects of memory, consciousness and identity.

There have been many rumors and speculations that famous songs actually contain subliminal messages. Subliminal messages used in songs are verbal or aural in natured, and are delivered either very quickly or backwards at such low volumes that the audience is unaware of receiving it. Such charges are made not just to rock music, but even Christian songs as well! nnA famous subliminal message in music would be the song Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin, that apparently when pl

After you’ve had herpes for a few weeks or months, the emotions surrounding it sometimes change. You might still have some of the initial ones we talked about, but they’ll tend to fade a bit as you get more information about herpes, in general, and your case, in particular. But now, some new ...

"Such a one (the narcissist – SV) is encased, is he not, in an armour – such an armour! The armour of the crusaders was nothing to it – an armour of arrogance, of pride, of complete self-esteem. This armour, it is in some ways a protection, the arrows, the everyday arrows of life glance off it. ...

Why would anyone want to sabotage their own efforts? It’s a reasonable question. But, a better-phrased question would be what is the motivation and logic underlying self-sabotage. There is little doubt that it occurs. What is often not recognized is that it serves a purpose. There is a positive intention, a need if you will, underlying the behavior of self-sabotage. There are a number of ways in which we sabotage ourselves and in every single case the self-sabotaging behavior can be viewed as serving some positive need.

Emotional affairs might begin as friendships, but they don’t stay that way. The friendship becomes transformed, sometimes slowly, sometimes almost immediately, into a fundamentally different relationship. There are distinct differences between friendships and emotional affairs. - An ...

Interview granted to Harmony (India) The first thing that occurs to me when thinking of aging is a gradual change in one’s physical structure that is apparent to others, and to oneself of course. Now what precisely do we mean by aging, or getting old or older, in terms of the mind or psyche? "Old" is commonly thought of as an adjective which bundles together objective physical and mental changes (for the worse); growing dysfunctions in a variety of areas of life; and cultur

The DSM V re-defines personality disorders thus: at "The essential features of a personality disorder are impairments in personality (self and interpersonal) functioning and the presence of pathological personality traits." According to the June 2011 text of the DSM V, the following criteria must be met to diagnose Narcissistic Personality Disorder (in parentheses my comments): Significant impairments in personality functioning in either identity, or self-direction (should

Whether you’re a new dad or a dad-to-be, you probably already realize something about fatherhood: it’s the highest of the highs—and the lowest of the lows. You’re on an emotional roller coaster unlike any you’ll ever experience. One moment, you’re beaming, the proud dad of a beautiful newborn. ...

An article by Jay Tow, M.S., Certified Sexologist “It’s just not fair.” “How can they do that to me?” “Don’t they care how this affects me?” “This always happens to me. Why can’t I catch a break?”

Question: Is the narcissist characterised by simultaneous instabilities in all the important aspects of his life? Answer: The narcissist is a person who derives his Ego (and Ego functions) from other people's reactions to an image he invents and projects, called the False Self (Narcissistic ...

The love of - nay, addiction to - competitive and solitary sports cuts across all social-economic strata and throughout all the demographics. Whether as a passive consumer (spectator), a fan, or as a participant and practitioner, everyone enjoys one form of sport or another. Wherefrom this universal propensity? Sports cater to multiple psychological and physiological deep-set needs. In this they are unique: no other activity responds as do sports to so many dimensions of one's person, both emotional, and physical.

Many of us mistakenly believe that it's wrong or conceited, to think we have any good qualities. We may spend a lot of time berating ourselves for our negative qualities, thinking that self criticism is the key to improving our performance. However, a constant focus on our supposed shortcomings can hinder our efforts to make friends with other people. How can we have the confidence to make new friends if we think we don’t have much to offer? How can we believe that others c

Do You Seem to Get Caught Up in the Same Old Reactions? Have you ever blown up at your spouse only to realize—after the smoke cleared—that you might have over-reacted just a tad? Maybe you learn that you haven’t been invited to your uncle’s friend’s sister’s birthday party and you behave as if ...

Black and white thinking is sometimes referred to as absolutist or dichotomous thinking. In this kind of thinking, something is all right, or all wrong, all good, or all bad. If you are not a total success, then you are a complete failure. There is no middle ground, regardless of situation or context. It is as if there is only hot water or cold water, no degrees of warm water. There are times when this kind of thinking is useful, even important. For example, for children who live in a home near busy streets, no playing in the street is an absolute rule. No middle ground there, no exceptions.

No man is an island, no woman either for that matter. We are all influenced by our surroundings. Our consciousness is really not our own, but belongs to the environment in which we exist. The appearance of an individual self is an illusion in much the same way empty space appears to be solid matter. And yet, we do experience ourselves as individual entities. But, that does not mean we should ignore the various spheres of influence that make us who we are.

Find a quiet place where you will be relatively free from distractions and unlikely to be bothered by anyone. Sit in a comfortable position. Write down how strong your urge is on a scale from 0 (no urge at all) to 10 (the strongest urge you’ve ever had). Then, write down how much you feel as if ...

Question: What kind of a spouse/mate/partner is likely to be attracted to a narcissist? Answer: The Victims On the face of it, there is no (emotional) partner or mate, who typically "binds" with a narcissist. They come in all shapes and sizes. The initial phases of attraction, infatuation ...

Some of the writing about Borderline Personality Disorder by therapists and health care professionals seems to almost disparage the emotional sensitivity of sufferers who are characterized as experiencing widely varying emotional responses that can swing from anger to delight in a moment. Some portray BPD sufferers a having multiple personalities. This is not strictly true. We do not imagine ourselves to be multiple personalities in the way schizophrenics were once perceived

Question: Am I to blame for my husband's/child's/parent's mental state and behaviour? Is there anything that I can or should do to help him or to reach him? Answer: Self-flagellation is a characteristic of those who choose to live with a narcissist (for a choice it is). Constant feelings of ...

People with homosexual or bisexual orientations have long been stigmatized. The same is the case for those who are gender non-conforming or who feel their assigned at birth sex or gender does not match their true selves. Heterosexism is a term used to describe the belief that heterosexuality ...

PASSIVE PEOPLE Some people think and analyze a lot and act little. Others, however, without so much thought, are more prone to action. The firsts tend to be passive, the seconds, active. The activity-passivity as a way of being, is very related with our hormonal map. THE PASSIVITY

The Stress Doc presents a four step, “Four 'R'” communicational guide for building successful “give and take” professional relationships. The Four “R”s are dramatically illustrated in his recent encounter with an ENT surgeon. Many of us “Boomers” grew up with an alliterative academic mantra as educational foundation, that is, the Four “R”s – Reading, Writing, Rithmetic and Religion. Let’s just say I focused more on the first two “R”s and sort of made a nominal wave at the latter.

Most people find their reactions to traumatic experiences to be confusing; they often feel that they are no longer themselves, but rather a bizarre and ‘crazy’ person . When you know what the common reactions to trauma are, you will be able to identify which of your behaviors are linked to your traumatic experience(s). This identification will allow the feelings of ‘craziness’, isolation and overwhelm to dissipate. In addition, you will gain some control over the behavior, wh

The narcissist presents to the world a facade of invincibility, equanimity, superiority, skilfulness, cool-headedness, invulnerability, and, in short: indifference. This front is penetrated in times of great crises that threaten the narcissist's ability to obtai Narcissistic Supply, or when the Narcissistic Supply is spurious (fake or low-grade), negative, or static. In the majority of cases, narcissists react to deficient narcissistic supply by resorting to several adaptiv

THE STYLES OF AFFECTIVE ATTACHMENT "As your mother loved you and enjoyed you, so you will love and will enjoy life" (Mario Marrone) Most of us have some knowledge of psychological concepts. We use these in everyday life to help us in social interactions, and also to understand ourselves. Most of us are familiar with the terms: introversion, narcissism, self-esteem, trauma, paranoia ... However, this list excludes the concept affective attachment ... Below is a definition for affective attachment, as well as definitions for the various types of attachment …..

There are thousands of articles about the physical preparation that a healthy pregnancy requires and very few about the psychological aspects of it. I titled this article “How to emotionally prepare for motherhood” because the psychological changes that start before your become pregnant do not ...

• Calcium. This mineral is vital for skeletal mineralization, blood clotting, conduction of nerve impulses, buffering of acidic blood, enzyme activity, and muscle contractions.nnn • Phosphorus. This mineral is important for energy, enzyme activity, muscle contraction, and nerve ...

Dealing with divorce is never easy. In fact it is probably amongst the most stressful and grueling experiences one can go through. When we get married we start off with a tremendous amount of hope and expectation. Intellectually we know it will take work but it is truly impossible to really know what kind of work it will take until we are already down the path of the marriage. I believe the reason it is difficult to get an idea of what the work of marriage will look like is because I believe it is individual to each marriage and the specific issues which exist between the partners.

If you’re like most people, you probably said to yourself at least once during your childhood or teens: “I’m never going to behave like my mother (or father) when I grow up.” Such thoughts would enter your mind especially when your parent treated you in a harsh manner, embarrassed you, or ignored you. nnAnd now you may find yourself behaving in the same bratty way toward others. How could this happen? Much to our chagrin, it's quite common to have some of the same neg

Typology of Codependents Codependence is a complex, multi-faceted, and multi-dimensional defence against the codependent's fears and needs. There are four categories of codependence, stemming from their respective aetiologies: (i) Codependence that aims to fend of anxieties related to abandonment. These codependents are clingy, smothering, prone to panic, are plagued with ideas of reference, and display self-negating submissiveness.

Anxiety disorders are a group of psychological disorders characterized by debilitating anxiety that interferes with a person’s functioning. The following explores the connection between starvation eating disorders, core anxiety, weight obsessions, and compulsions. Beyond the relationship between ...

One of the biggest problems my clients complain about everyday is not that the person they love hurt them or did something wrong. It is the fact that the person didn’t apologize or the apology did not feel sincere. Let’s face it. We don’t really know how to apologize and the problem is that it ...

An article by: Jay Tow, M.S. During the many years I have worked as a counselor and coach, I have found that one thing holds people back from living the lives they want more than anything else. Fear is the one common emotion that inhibits us from making the changes that would improve our situations, our standard of living, the quality of our relationships, and our feeling of self-worth. Fear can keep us safe when our safety is truly threatened. On the other hand, fear can keep us from taking actions that could change our lives for the better.

Are You in a Dead End Job That Makes You Feel Dead Inside? 10 Ways to Help You Move On! Being in a job like this is like being in a cage with the gate open. You know you can leave but fear (perhaps of loss of income, benefits, something new or different) keeps you from walking out. Being in a job like this drains you of your energy, preventing you from doing things to allow you to move on. When these jobs leave you with no autonomy or ability to be creative and learn new skills, to basically grow personally and professionally, it might be time to leave.r

Cleansing, detoxifying diets, exercising… what else do we do to purify or clean our bodies? It is somewhat common to hear people say that they are engaged in one of these practices to clean themselves from toxins and other harmful elements. They usually express to feel more energized and thinking clearer after one of these periods. Our bodies naturally let go of toxicity when we exhale and when we go to the bathroom. My question is what do we do with the emotional toxins that negative emotions, stress and pain accumulate day after day?

Some narcissists are obviously obnoxious, offensive and obstinate. Others, however, present as attractive, appealing, easy-going people. It’s not until a direct confrontation occurs that their narcissism becomes obvious. Summon up the courage to tell him (or her) that he’s being self-centered and he’ll either continue doing whatever he was doing as if you hadn’t said anything at all or he will become irate. “Me? Me? Self-centered? How do you think that makes ME feel?”

Question: How does the narcissist react when he fails to obtain enough Narcissistic Supply? Answer: Very much as a drug addict would react to the absence of his particular drug. The narcissist constantly consumes (really, preys upon) adoration, admiration, approval, applause, attention and ...

We all have a scenario of our life. We invent, adopt, are led by and measure ourselves against our personal narratives. These are, normally, commensurate with our personal histories, our predilections, our abilities, limitations, and our skills. We are not likely to invent a narrative which is ...

Have you ever noticed that in many of your relationships that one person seems to have all the power while the other one is in the hunt to stay in the game? If you find yourself in relationships like this you will continue to attract them until you change your patterns. Many of us are desperate for love. Many of us are desperate for attention. Many of us are desperate for affection. Many of us are desperate for validation. In being this desperate we often set ourselves up to get into relationships with all the wrong people.

Question: I met many narcissists who are modest – even self-effacing. This seems to conflict with your observations. How do you reconcile the two? Answer: The "modesty" displayed by narcissists is false. It is mostly and merely verbal. It is couched in flourishing phrases, emphasised to ...

Therapy, in most cases, cannot cure the Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD), only mitigate and ameliorate the condition by modifying some of the narcissist's behaviours. Only narcissists, who go through a severe life crisis, tend to consider the possibility of therapy at all. When they ...

You are what you eat—especially during menopausal years. As people—especially women—get older, the digestive tract becomes less and less efficient leading to a longer digestion process. This is why knowing the proper and balanced diet is quite significant so you will know how to select foods that your body needs. nnNutritionists advise women nearing menopausal years to do everything possible to ensure that they eat a diet that is balanced and can provide the nutrients t

As psychologist William James said, “The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another.” To gain mastery over your anxiety, it’s very important that you learn how to challenge automatic thinking, such as catstrophizing and overestimating the ...

After what was hopefully at least a 2-year courtship, you now find yourself engaged. You're excited and nervous as the big day approaches. You think you've got all the important questions asked and answered. Are the guests seated properly? Did we give the florist a deposit? Are all the relatives ...

Sports Hypnosis for athletes? Hypnosis for athletes was something that was unheard of some years ago, but is now considered an important tool in the elite athlete's arsenal. This applies to all activities from football to poker! Did you know that hypnosis and self-hypnosis are actually commonplace occurrences that most of us engage in on a regular basis without realizing it?

Guidelines for a Good Wife "1. A good wife always knows her place. 2. Don’t ask your husband questions about his actions or question his judgment or integrity. He is the master of the house and as such will always exercise his will with fai ess and truthfulness. You have no right to question ...

Large percentage of males gains round about six inches of length and two or more inches of girth when their male organ is erect. About 15% of males gain more than 7 inches and only 3% more than 8 inches of length. Males are obsessed with size of their erection, they feel that bigger male member will draw woman again and again in bed which is a big relief to a male’s ego. But surveys have stated that women desires males in bed again and again who can take their excitement at

Since my area of specialty is working with trauma of all kinds, I am often asked this question about EMDR because it was originally developed as a method of treating post traumatic stress syndrome. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing is considered a mind-body approach that focuses on ...

Question: Are female narcissists any different? You seem to talk only about male narcissists! Answer: I keep using the male third person singular because most narcissists (75%) are males and more so because there is little difference between the male and female narcissists. In the ...

Does your day begin with stress? Do you have a mad dash to get the kids to school and yourself to work? Does your stress level only increase from this point? What is this stress doing to you? The first stress of the day gets the muscles tense, the heart racing, and the blood pressure up. Your ...

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, fourth edition, text revision [American Psychiatric Association. DSM-IV-TR, Washington, 2000] - or the DSM-IV-TR for short - describes Axis II personality disorders as "deeply ingrained, maladaptive, lifelong behavior patterns". But the classificatory model ...

There are thousands of articles about the physical preparation that a healthy pregnancy requires and very few about the psychological aspects of it. I titled this article “How to emotionally prepare for motherhood” because the psychological changes that start before your become pregnant do not ...

The Thematic Appreciation Test (TAT) is similar to the Rorschach inkblot test. Subjects are shown pictures and asked to tell a story based on what they see. Both these projective assessment tools elicit important information about underlying psychological fears and needs. The TAT was developed in 1935 by Morgan and Murray. Ironically, it was initially used in a study of normal personalities done at Harvard Psychological Clinic. The test comprises 31 cards. One card is blank

It is not easy to tell whether or not someone has a Narcissistic Personality Disorder. rnHowever, you may find many telling signs of a Narcissistic Personality Disorder when reading about its symptoms and behaviors. One of the first indicators of a person with Narcissistic Personality Disorder is that they have a larger-than-life personality or a grandiose sense of themselves. They often are braggarts who are always holding onto the belief of others being jealous of them. But

Are you in a bad situation that you wish would just go away? Maybe it is a relationship that is not working out or a boring dead-end job. Perhaps, it is your small, cramped apartment. You are unhappy and frustrated and complain about how terrible it is, but you don’t take action. You ...

The difficulty with quirks in a partner is that, by definition, they are peculiar and idiosyncratic and not commonly shared. This means you are dealing with a behavior, belief, or other trait you may not understand or relate to in any way, which tends to make acceptance of your partner all the ...

In 1932, Dr. Carl Gustav Jung gave a series of lectures attempting to bridge the gap between Jungian psychoanalysis and the Indian philosophical practice of Kundalini Yoga. While Jung seemed unsure of a practical application for Kundalini yoga in the West, he nevertheless expressed a sincere belief in its efficacy as a means of “psychic hygiene” (Shamdasani, 1996). This essay will draw parallels between Jung’s analytic theories and Kundalini yoga with a part

Affective relationships give us a sense of purpose and provide added meanings to our lives, actions, and choices, as they create powerful motivations to set and pursue goals which aim is that of maintaining them. They affect us deeply, offering us opportunities to feel and express emotions that come from our universal need to be in intimate relationships where we love and are loved. Sharing our experiences and emotions enriches us and helps us manage our uncomfortable emotions, better adapting to life’s challenges and partaking of the joys of life in deeper and fuller ways.

Remember the old nursery rhyme?nnHumpty Dumpty sat on a wall.nHumpty Dumpty had a great fall.nAll the King’s horses and all the King’s mennCouldn’t put Humpty together again.nn If you are old enough to recall this childhood rhyme, you are old enough to have had a few great falls of your own. Many people in our society today feel fractured and torn, pressured by the strains of everyday living, overwhelmed by the amount of pressure and speed of change in our modern world.

nWealth is all about success, but not many of us have the kind of luck necessary to be born extremely rich or come across millions by chance. Most of us have to work to that goal, weed out opportunities, make the right friends and find that X factor. The adage ‘work smart’ has more use in the day and age where technology is the third arm of everyone, we can’t live without it and if we use it wisely, we just might make a tidy sum. But what is holding us back?

Here are some tips for developing self-compassion:nnn+ Start with mindful breathing. Breathe slowly and deeply. Breathe into your body, wherever it hurts most. Imagine your breath flowing into and around the pain; feel yourself opening up around it. nnn+ Place a hand on the area that is most ...

This is a delicious and easy way to prepare squash. If you have any leftovers, they make a great soup. Just puree them in a blender with enough stock or water to reach the consistency of a creamy soup, then heat and season to taste with salt and pepper. 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil 1 ...

The Masochistic personality disorder made its last appearance in the DSM III-TR and was removed from the DSM IV and from its text revision, the DSM IV-TR. Some scholars, notably Theodore Millon, regard its removal as a mistake and lobby for its reinstatement in future editions of the DSM. The ...

Someone with Asperger Syndrome (AS) is characterized by their lack of communication skills, social skills and reciprocity of feelings. A person with AS, also known as an Aspie, knows what they think and feel but are often unaware of what others think or feel. With a deficiency in these critical areas, some have wondered how someone with Asperger's develops an intimate relationship or even gets married.

The MMPI (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory), composed by Hathaway (a psychologist) and McKinley (a physician) is the outcome of decades of research into personality disorders. The revised version, the MMPI-II (also known as MMPI-2), was published in 1989 but was received cautiously. MMPI-II changed the scoring method and some of the normative data. It was, therefore, hard to compare it to its much hallowed (and oft validated) predecessor. The MMPI-II is made of 56

The key to making your subconscious mind work for you is in your attitude. Having a positive self-esteem and confidence in yourself can go a long way towards achieving the goals that you have set out for your mind. Whilst many people believe that confidence and esteem comes with your personality, which is determined at birth, it is not true. It is never too late to start cultivating and improving your inner image and resources, primarily that of your subconscious mind.n nnThe

Stalking is a crime and stalkers are criminals. This simple truth is often ignored by mental health practitioners, by law enforcement agencies, and by the media. The horrid consequences of stalking are typically underestimated and stalkers are mocked as eccentric and lonely weirdoes. Yet, ...

Join Us For A Queen Adventures Signature Ladies Night ! Topic: A Date With Danger Are you single and dating? Do you think you could be in a relationship with a narcissist or married to one? Do you have a daughter or young woman in your life that you want to love and protect? If the answer to any of the above questions is yes, this interview is for you..

People who are hurt, specifically in an emotional or psychological sense, tend to hurt other people. Hurt people can hurt people with harsh words, biting comments, derogatory statements, ridicule, condescension, sarcasm, yelling and screaming, cussing and innuendo about family members or friends. It doesn’t really matter how a person came to be hurt, for there are hundreds of ways it can happen: childhood trauma such as physical abuse or rape, parental neglect, peer bullying, sibling conflict, to name a few.

Question: Are Narcissists addicted to being famous? Answer: You bet. This, by far, is their predominant drive. Being famous encompasses a few important functions: it endows the narcissist with power, provides him with a constant Source of Narcissistic Supply (admiration, adoration, approval, ...

This is an excerpt from the book The Master Key Workbook by Charles F. Haanel, edited by Anthony R. Michalski, and is part of The Complete Master Key Course -- http://www.thecompletemasterkeycourse.com available through Kallisti Publishing.nnTake the same position as heretofore and visualize a Battleship. See the grim monster floating on the surface of the water; there appears to be no life anywhere about; all is silence; you know that by far the largest part of the vessel is

Psychotherapy is an intimate, private and deeply personal experience. Both therapist and patient/client co-construct, in the common professional parlance of the day, a relationship where unknown or unexpressed desires, conflicts, questions and dreams are explored. For this unveiling process to ...

When the chips are down, the athlete often cannot share his/her inner fears, anxiety and anger issues with the coach or their parents. Now, the athlete has a critical ally...the professional Sports Psychologist (also referred as the professional Sport Psychologist).

Loneliness is the unpleasant feeling of the inability to have satisfying relationships. The person desires to be in intimate, long-lasting relationships, but is unable to do so. It is an unfulfilled need for intimacy. Loneliness is experienced by all age groups, some time or the other, but it is most prevalent among adolescents. It is also highly prevalent among children, which is not very well known. The experience of loneliness, depending on its intensity, is very disturbin

Truth be told, I am mildly obsessed with Serena Williams. Her talent and intelligence on and off the court, the longevity of her career, her comebacks, the authenticity of her ambition, her grit and determination, and her overall appeal are hard to ignore.

Joyce Brothers, PhD, is one of United States' leading family psychologists and advice columnists, publishing a daily syndicated newspaper column since 1960. She was the host of her own television program, has published several best-selling books, and continues to appear on television, radio, and in film both as an expe

The presence of pets activates in us two primitive psychological defense mechanisms: projection and narcissism. Projection is a defense mechanism intended to cope with internal or exte al stressors and emotional conflict by attributing to another person or object (such as a pet) - usually falsely - thoughts, feelings, wishes, impulses, needs, and hopes deemed forbidden or unacceptable by the projecting party. In the case of pets, projection works through anthropomorphism: we attribute to animals our traits, behavior patterns, needs, wishes, emotions, and cognitive processes.

1. Biofeedback is elegant. It is a mirror where you can see and adjust yourself. Biofeedback is behavior guided by direct interaction with a physiological display reflecting nervous system activity. The effect is to develop the range and flexibility of the nervous system. The goal is to ...

Article: Written by Renee L. Richardson Too boyish to Cry: Way too girly not to As an African American woman, and educator, I sit inside of my preschool classroom amazed at the observations of which I am afforded. During my astonishing experiences with the young learner, I have found that there exists gender-role identity bias within the preschool classroom setting in the year of 2012. Regardless of the countless amounts of research of which suggest that educators encourage

Here are some suggestions to help you get through your chemotherapy treatment. By preventing nausea you can be comfortable, stay well nourished, and feel better sooner. BEFORE TREATMENT It’s not necessary to have an empty stomach before getting chemotherapy. Staying well nourished and well ...

Obsessions and compulsions are about control of self (mental) and others (interpersonal). People with the Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD) are conce ed (worried and anxious) about maintaining control and about being seen to be maintaining it. In other words, they are also ...

Video games have evolved exponentially since the advent of the first interactive games in 1947 with the development of the Cathode Ray Tube Amusement Device (CRTAD). Baby boomers may remember playing “Tank”, “Pong” and “Space Invaders” in the seventies at arcades where the pin-ball machine was still king.

How do you recognize it? Do you feel sluggish or chronically fatigued? Do you have digestive problems? Have you been told you are pre-diabetic or insulin resistant? Then you might have an autoimmune disease. I have read that over 10 percent of Americans suffer from autoimmune disease.

© 2003 WorldNetDaily.com \ One of my recent callers came up with what I'm sure she thought was the singular most legitimate reason for not being a stay-at-home-mom: "... it's not all enjoyable." I kid you not, she actually said that, followed by, "... and I just don't seem to be able to do it ...© 2003 W

White knights have a compulsive need to rescue, but how and why they rescue can be quite varied. The following is an overview of the basic characteristics common to all white knights. There are also four subtypes: the overly empathetic white knight, the tarnished white knight, the terrorizing/ ...

Throughout my jou ey of recovery in Alcoholics Anonymous, miracles have come to me in abundance. The promises have astoundingly materialized in every element of my daily life and the rewards of sobriety are beyond what my imagination could have ever visualized or dreamed of. I was ...

NAME your feelings If you want to handle your feelings effectively, NAME them. NAME is an acronym for: N – NoticenA – AcknowledgenM – Make space E – Expand awareness Let’s go through these steps for handling your feelings, one by one. STEP 1: NOTICE When strong feelings show up, the first ...

By Melanie West, Educational Psychologistr Copyright2010 If yours is a family heavily involved with your child’s schoolwork, or your child is getting poor grades and poor test performance and your household is totally distressed, take a deep breath and relax because help is on the way. With years of experience focusing on the child that has trouble learning, I know how challenging this can be on the family dynamic, but I also know that you can apply a whole new strategy that

From the very beginning of our life we encounter problems that we try to find solutions to. Even a new-bo baby needs to do this, for example in order to establish contact with key persons so that the baby´s basic needs can be met. The surrounding, the situations and one´s basic personality make us develop different strategies for solving these perceived problems. Repetition and feed-back develop these strategies over time, until they are built up by whole clusters of specific reactions, emotions, thoughts, beliefs - full-blown subpersonalities start to emerge.

Relationships are a beautiful thing but they can also be challenging. I love a cartoon that reads as follows: “Relationships: a mess worth making.” It very well illustrates how many times relationships can be messy or unhealthy. The main cause of unhealthy relationships? Unhealthy boundaries. ...

I'm sure you have heard couple's of all ages say to each other "I love you." You would probably like hearing it said to you, if it's not already. Sometimes when one person says "I love you" to another person, the response is "me too." I find that an absurd response. What does it mean? That I love me too? A more appropriate response would be "I love you too" and even that isn't terribly poignant. It's kind of like someone asking "how are you" and you say "fine." It's automatic and somewhat meaningless.

We tend to think of love as an all encompassing, overwhelming, positive feeling. We say, “I love you” and think that solves all our conflicts and arguments with our partner. During the initial stages of love, often referred to as an infatuation phase, boundaries are melted and dissolve away. We enter into the realms of the other person’s reality. We merge together. Our life becomes theirs, theirs ours. We lose ourselves. We become one. It’s a wonderful, marvelous feeling. For a while. At some point, we want ourselves back. We begin to erect some boundaries.

No matter who you are, if you walk deeply into the forest enough times, you’re going to get lost. I certainly have—several times. Dark, twisting ravines, steeply sloped hillsides, and impenetrable tangles can be disorienting. That’s the bad news. The good news is that if you persist, if you ...

A fundamental shift in humanity’s consciousness— our way of both perceiving and acting in the world has been developing over the past few decades and will continue to develop through much of the twenty-first century. The shift accompanies a profound rite of passage that the earth ...

When we use existential as in existential psychology, existential alienation or an existential vacuum, we the authors mean only that the topic under discussion relates to the satisfying, mediocre or disappointing lifestyle men and women choose or have thrust upon them by society. For us, existential or life style values, attitudes, expectations, beliefs and choices have no connection with the purposeless European philosophy formerly called existentialism or know now as secular nihilism.

Role Reversal – the Good, the Bad and the Unexpected Have you sometimes wished that your spouse (or someone else close to you) could walk in your shoes for just one day? And did you hope that this role reversal would enable your spouse to have a better perspective on what your day is really ...

Most patients with the Histrionic Personality Disorder are women. This immediately raises the question: Is this a real mental health disorder or a culture-bound syndrome which reflects the values of a patriarchal and misogynistic society? A man with similar traits is bound to be admired as a "macho" or, at worst, labeled a "womanizer". Histrionics resemble narcissists - both seek attention compulsively and are markedly dysphoric and uncomfortable when not at the center of att

You’re about to learn about a controversial topic known as double depression. It’s controversial because some suggest it doesn’t even exist. We’ll look at symptoms, how it differs from major depression and chronic mild depression, key features of double depression and how to have better outcomes from therapy. Depression is more than feeling sad... Sadness is one of our most commonly experienced emotions. It is only natural to feel sad in response to feeling alone, losing a friend or partner, or going through a difficult time. We can also feel sad without knowing why.

Let’s face it ... not many people like conflicts; they’re unpleasant. But it’s also unlikely that when you’re in a relationship with someone for a long time, that the two of you aren’t going to run into some snags along the way. After all, even if you’re from the same ethnic and religious background and have even come from the same neighborhood, you’ve been raised by two different families. The result is that you’re going to be different.

Question: My husband is a narcissist and is constantly depressed. Is there any connection between these two problems? Answer: Assuming that these are clinically established facts, there is no necessary connection between them. In other words, there is no proven high correlation between ...

Gradually, unwittingly, we often overload our electrical systems at home until a circuit breaker pops. It may begin with the purchase of a newer, more powerful computer. That computer necessitates having a state-of-the art printer. Then, before you know it, you are the proud owner of a scanner, ...

Staying positive when you feel you are surrounded by negativity… well, it is a simple concept, but not always easy to implement at first. But, with just a few key strategies, you can remain upbeat and positive even when the rest of the world seems like it is sinking into worry and ...

Neuroscientific research reveals that physical ability can be influenced and even trained by mental imagination. The data clearly indicate that mental practice is an effective way to prepare for learning a physical skill with minimal physical practice. This knowledge could be very useful for athletes and their coaches. Doidge1 described the following experiments in his book The Brain That Changes Itself:rn“Everything your ‘immaterial’ mind imagines leaves material trace

Schizoids enjoy nothing and seemingly never experience pleasure (they are anhedonic). Even their nearest and dearest often describe them as "automata", "robots", or "machines". But the schizoid is not depressed or dysphoric, merely indifferent. Schizoids are uninterested in social relationships and bored or puzzled by interpersonal interactions. They are incapable of intimacy and have a very limited range of emotions and affect. Rarely does the schizoid express feelings, eith

The first encounter between psychiatrist or therapist and patient (or client) is multi-phased. The mental health practitioner notes the patient's history and administers or prescribes a physical examination to rule out certain medical conditions. Armed with the results, the diagnostician now ...

INGREDIENTSnn· 2½ cups whole-wheat pastry flour or gluten-free baking flour from garbanzo beansn· ½ cup wheat brann· ½ cup whey protein powdern· ¼ cup ground flaxseedsn· 1 teaspoon baking sodan· ¼ teaspoon baking powdern· 2 teaspoons cinnamonn· ½ teaspoon nutmegn· 3 eggsn· 1 cup xylitoln· ¾ cup ...

Intimacy, by its very nature, requires us to be vulnerable. Our partner, lover, or mate can know us to our very core, sometimes better than we know ourselves, and that can make anyone feel as though they were totally exposed. Intimacy can be intimidating. However, it is also an amazingly freeing ...

By Melanie Westr Copyright2010 As an educational psychologist, I have spent many years watching, observing and working with children, particularly those with learning disabilities. The majority of the children I work with are creative and bright, yet they often have a difficult time with the learning process. Neurological testing will show that the child’s brain is not processing information uniformly, but no test really explains why this imbalance is occurring. How to stren

~ HOW CAN A PERSON USE THEIR DEPRESSION TO CHANGE THEIR LIFE, INSTEAD OF BEING RENDERED POWERLESS BY THE EXPERIENCE? ~n If you can translate your depression into a message that you need to make some changes and set out to discover precisely what those changes are, your depression may prepare ...

ANTI SPAM PSYCHOLOGY SPAM Spam is junk mail we receive on our computers. It is usually mail we have no interest in receiving. By opening it, we waste time we could be spending on something else. Also, the same spam is often sent to us repeatedly. We become annoyed and feel that our privacy is being violated. Even worse, spam often carries a malicious virus intended to infect our computers. ANTI-SPAM Generally, mail which is possible spam is filtered by our e-mail so, if we’re not interested, we don’t have to waste time reading itrnor being irritated by it.r

Most of the pain of overwhelming emotion is caused by our struggle against feeling the emotion. We fight against our situation, wishing things were different, being disappointed when our expectations aren’t met, and telling ourselves we shouldn’t be upset, depressed, sad, disappointed, or angry. The next time you feel overwhelmed by intense emotion, try doing the exact opposite of what you normally do: feel the emotion and accept it. Tell yourself, "I’m feeling __________________ right now and it is very uncomfortable.

Psychology is more an art form than a science. There is no "Theory of Everything" from which one can derive all mental health phenomena and make falsifiable predictions. Still, as far as personality disorders are conce ed, it is easy to disce common features. Most personality disorders share a set of symptoms (as reported by the patient) and signs (as observed by the mental health practitioner). Patients suffering from personality disorders have these things in common: They

POWER TRAITS There is power in the money and the political class. In this article we travel to that part hidden and unspeakable of power that is part of power and that largely determines its performance. 1 –A MALE ROLE There are people who by birth are destined to be in the power, others will have their opportunity to access to it in a society like the modern where the status is not predetermined and can ascend and descend on the social scale ... It is not difficult to see that the "role" of power is masculine. Yesterday a generation ofr

You know when your skin is exhausted as you look in the mirror you see a grey wrinkly face staring back at you and wonder A., how did I end up looking like this and B., how do I change it ? Given that it is tired, a series of facial exercises may seem a bit odd. Firstly, if it is on your face, chances are that it is on other parts of your body so as you get into your shower check your body over and note what parts need some working on. Right now we are concentrating on the face but the first thing we must look at is the diet.

A manager came to me the other day and asked, “What if I suspect an employee of having a learning disability? Do I have to look the other way regarding his poor performance?” There seems to be a misconception that you cannot hold an employee accountable to do his or her job if he or she has a disability.

Johnny, age 7, was fascinated for hours by running water, lost in his own world. Like many autistic children he ran on his toes and flapped his hands to self-stimulate in hopes of controlling all the noise in his head. Even minor frustrations turned into emotional meltdowns including seizures. ...

"How can the person displaced or downsized see both the danger and opportunity in career change or disruption? Can we learn, even, to both cry and laugh at this career crisis turning point?" To be able to see the comic in the crisis requires two achievements. First we must embrace Charlie ...

Research indicates that a variety of factors can be associated with the onset of depressive symptoms for people with bipolar disorder. It is important to recognize such potential triggers, because avoiding or reducing exposure to them can reduce the likelihood that depressive symptoms will ...

This article is an excerpt from "Microchakras" and taken from the website www.innertraditions.com n nChapter 3 nFundamentals of Microchakra Psychology nnMicrochakra Basics nnThe intersection of a chakra with the right channel (vajrene) segments it into seven microchakras. In a similar way, segmentation of a chakra into seven microchakras occurs in the left channel (chetrnee) and in the central channel (Sheva naadee). nn Hence each chakra may be divided into twenty-one microch

If you’ve been listening to the news lately, you may have come to the conclusion that the outlook at the moment is bleak. You may be caught up in the gloom and doom, hopeless mind set that is more contagious than a flu pandemic. There are some things you can do to help prevent the spread of the dis-ease.and keep yourself healthy when those around you share their negativity. Inoculate – To keep your mind and body healthy, it is important to first inoculate yourself by setti

The last thing you want to think about when you learn you’re pregnant is whether you might end up with postpartum depression. Unless you’ve experienced depression before in pregnancy or postpartum, chances are you’ll be tempted to avoid the topic. Don’t worry – thinking about it won’t cause it! Quite the contrary - as with many other situations you want to prevent, just a tiny amount of planning can greatly reduce the likelihood (and severity) of problems. Just a few years ago an interesting fact about the eyes was discovered.

Accountability: Own Your Stuffr

Notes of first therapy session with Marsha, female, 56, diagnosed with Histrionic Personality Disorder Marsha visibly resents the fact that I have had to pay attention to another patient (an emergency) "at her expense" as she puts it. She pouts and bats suspiciously long eyelashes at me: "Has ...

It is amazing to me how many companies undertake a major change with little pre-planning, and then they wonder why the change didn’t go smoothly. By some accounts, as high as 50% of all organizational changes fail. If your organization is getting ready to undertake a major change there are several change models that offer an understanding of what happens inside the company during a change and what you can do to make it go more smoothly.

Question: Are there compulsive acts unique to the narcissist? Answer: The short and the long of it is No. In general, there is a strong compulsive strand in the narcissist's behaviour. He is driven to exorcise internal demons by means of ritualistic acts. The narcissist's very pursuit of ...

Introverts are perhaps the most misconstrued people in this world. They are usually perceived as dull, boring, and at times arrogant. They are also, often believed to be rather dry, lackluster, and lacking in enthusiasm. For this they are at the receiving end of quite a lot of criticism and endless advice and suggestions. This, of course, is not really what introverts are about. These are many of the misconceptions and misperceptions that usually people have about them. Such

Should you work while you are pregnant? About 78% of pregnant women continue work through the end of pregnancy. Consult your doctor about working during pregnancy. She will take into consideration your general health, how well the pregnancy is going, and any problems you’ve had with former ...

A thesis on psychology should add original knowledge to the discipline based on previously conducted research work. It should exhibit a good and clear understanding of the subject matter you are discussing. There is a proper format to come up with a thesis to support or claim given hypothesis right based on the writer is own insight as well. The greatest problem that a writer faces is of searching good psychology dissertation titles which is not that easy. Most of the time, s

Dear Dr. Laura: \ How long should a 62 year old man wait to ask a 55 year old woman to marry? They are both financially secure, they have similar values and interests, and only one has a child (who is adult)? \ Answer: \ I’m assuming that you think that your “mature” ages would relieve you from .

Have you ever wondered if you are normal? Do you spend time comparing yourself to others? It is not uncommon to have these thoughts because we tend to judge many things as being normal or not normal. If people don’t perceive themselves as having “acceptable” thoughts, feelings, beliefs, or behaviors, they think there is something wrong with them and believe they are not normal.

Millions of adults in the United States were victims of some degree of sexual abuse when they were children. In most cases this abuse leaves its affects to a greater or lesser degree. The affect it has on people when they become adults is dependent on many factors. The first factor is the severity and the duration of the abuse. The second most important factor is how the abused child processed the abuse in his or her mind. If the abuse was dealt with at the time, it would have a lesser affect later in life.

ACTORS ALL - I MYSELF - ALONE When life fails to bring us consistent satisfaction, when our weaknesses withhold from us the ego satisfaction we crave, most persons create fantasies that ease the pain caused by the near universal life-style dilemma of uncertainty. This allows each fearful person ...

Question: Is the narcissist confined in his grandiose fantasies to one subject? Answer: This apparently simple question is more complex than it sounds. The narcissist is bound to make use of his more pronounced traits and qualities in both the design of his False Self and the extraction of ...

Just before the start of a “Stress, Change and Creative Teaming” workshop, I was testing out my microphone. The program was for managers of a global engineering company. Most of the 50 + particpants were ex-military, now contractors working with commands and brigades based at Ft. Hood, TX or presently stationed overseas. As I called out, “Can people in the back hear me?” a former Sergeant Major who knew me from my work at Ft.

At the start of the last century, some people have already recognized the duality of our mind. The part which we always use was dubbed the conscious mind. The part erroneously thought of as a lesser part of human consciousness was called the subconscious mind. As technology progresses onward, so too does humanity’s interest in delving into the mysteries of the mind. In addition, the ability to take full control of the mind has been of great interest amongst the luminaries i

Recovered memories have been defined as the phenomenon of partially or fully losing parts of memories of traumatic events, and then later recovering part or all of the memories into conscious awareness. They have also been defined as the recollections of memories that are believed to have been unavailable for a certain period of time[1]. There is very strong scientific evidence that recovered memories exist.[2] This has been shown in many scientific studies.

Question: What happens to a narcissist who lacks even the basic potential and skills to realise some of his grandiose fantasies? Answer: Such a narcissist resorts to deferred Narcissistic Supply which generates an effect of deferred grandiosity. He forgoes his grandiose schemes and gives up ...

Human rights activist backs computer hacke When human rights activist Terry Waite spoke in support of Gary McKinnon, the noted Pentagon hacker, it made quite a stir in March 2009. Waite is a former Beirut hostage, imprisoned for four years in Lebanon in the 1980s. Waite told the press that ...

SUPEREGO AND DIVERSITY Sigmund Freud discovered the superego as a psychological structure juxtaposed to the ego, but at the same time faced this. The father of psychoanalysis died in 1939. It's been 70 years. At this point there are who ask: "About the superego ... what is fantasy and what is reality ...?" The superego certainly exists and we can reach it using our capacity of introversion. 1-THE SELF With few exceptions, all have clear awareness of what is the ego, ie, just what we call in our everyday language when we say: "I think, I am ..." 2-THE SUPEREGOr

Have you ever wished you could get others to agree with you? Do you ever find yourself agreeing with someone that you wish you hadn’t? Like maybe a telemarketer or other annoying individual? This is a brief summary of some of the reasons we agree. Perhaps you want to become more persuasive or perhaps you want to discover why you are so easily persuaded. Let’s examine some reasons. Reciprocity We each try to repay, in kind, what another person has provided us. Favors have a

It may be of some surprise that the word 'wound' is used to represent a cut, hurt, abrasion or more serious injury AND that same word can mean tied up tightly, coiled up, or bound as in "I was all wound up with stress." We tend not to think of being wound up and stressed as an injury, or wound. However, on a psychological level, that is exactly what it is. In today's jargon, the word 'trauma' is used, and aptly so. Trauma is Greek in origin and translates into English as 'wound' - as in hurt or injury. When we speak of trauma, we are talking about being all wound up with woundedness.

Do you know how beautiful you are? Yes, you! You're beautiful beyond compare. Affirm this to yourself ten times right here and now. Okay, now that you're back, think about how you felt as you affirmed your beauty. Did you feel a spark of power? What if you used that spark to ignite filling ...

Question: What are the effects that narcissistic parents have on their offspring? Answer: At the risk of over-simplification: narcissism tends to breed narcissism - but only a minority of the children of narcissistic parents become narcissists. This may be due to a genetic predisposition or ...

PARENTAL ALIENATION is real. If you're on the receiving end...you know it. For most everyone else,...it's invisible.rn ..... TheBondedFamily .......Retweeted by PASA-NJ January 10, 2012

Notes of therapy session with Magda, female, 58, diagnosed with Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD) Magda is distressed when I reschedule our appointment. "But we always meet on Wednesdays!" - she pleads, ignoring my detailed explanations and my apologies. She is evidently anxious ...

With so many people opting for plastic surgery and other procedures, over 11 million in 2006, the fate of facial exercises seems to be in terminal decline. Women and men are going for the quick fix of either injections or, more radically, surgery, where they opt to either have pieces of skin and ...

Two three-letter words: "but" and "and." In grammatical terms, they are called conjunctions. They bridge two clauses of a single sentence together. In communication (and negotiation), these words are subtle manipulators of exclusion or inclusion. Generally speaking, "but" excludes, denies, discounts or in some way rejects the previous clause.

Can Men and Women Be Friends? By Dr. Linda Sapadin - Psychologist www.PsychWisdom.com It’s been 20 years since the witty romantic comedy - When Harry Met Sally - explored the still debatable question- “Can Women and Men be Friends?” There are those who say ‘No’. Heterosexual men and women can‘t be true friends. Blame the hormones! Attribute it to jealousy from a spouse! Point the finger at the predatory nature of men (and aggressive women) who “want only one thing”! Or simply remember that men and women come from different planets and interplanetary friendships have never worked!

Remember Sociopaths are opportunists and you are at risk for being that opportunity for him. I need five commitments from you if you want to avoid the wake of destruction that comes from dating a Sociopath. 1. Commitment to your Heart:

The Primordial Energy (Adi Shakti) has 2 streams 1) spiritual 2) material. Spiritual energy is called Gayatri and material energy is called Savitri. Gayatri has 1 face because it represents Non-duality and oneness of soul. Savitri has 5 faces. The body is made up of 5 gross elements. Its 5 sense organs experience sound, form, taste, smell and touch with the help of 5 Tanmatras (subtle element). Vibration of consciousness i.e. the 5 Pranas (Vital Forces) control our bodily mov

Copyright2010 Recent research has revealed more about the brain and its alte ative capabilities for learning. We now know that the human brain has an amazing ability to adapt and grow. We also know that some people are right-brained dominant while others are left-brained dominant. What we are only beginning to understand is that a person having strong right hemisphere thinking generally has trouble learning in school. The reason behind this fact is because most schools focus

SEXUAL OBSESSIONS IN CONVENTS Before knowing the Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, this already existed in monasteries and convents. He was known by the name of "scruples of conscience. " A VERY STRICT MORAL Sexual morality of the Roman Catholic Church has been very strict. Any “venereal” pleasure (sexual) consented, constituted a grave sin and was punished with ete al hell. This sin not accepted "paucity of matter", ie, against this provision had not sin mild, all were serious or fatal.r

A MINDFUL CHOCOLATE MEDITATION Walk into any grocery store and there’s likely to be a Halloween aisle brimming over with candy. Those who struggle with mindless eating have already begun to wonder how they’ll stay clear of trick-or-treat sweets. Many people find that Halloween ...

Most of the talk and research about ADHD has been directed towards children with little more than passing reference to adult ADHD. Most adults with ADHD do not look like the typical depiction in childhood, Typically, but not always, as kids with ADHD mature into adolescence, the hyperactive symptoms diminish. But, for some people, adult ADHD continues to cause significant adult problems.

Let’s discuss LOVE: L – Letting go O – Opening up V – ValuingnE – Engaging Let’s now explore each of these elements in more detail: LETTING GO “Letting go” is the escape route from inside-your-mind, one of the elements that DRAIN your relationship. Your mind is like a master storyteller ...

It is well known that the sense of smell is the strongest sense related to memory; especially long term memory. All it takes is a smell of something from your childhood - say, the scent of an old rug - and you are instantly transported back to where that smell was significant. Because of this, what we smell can subconsciously put us in a good mood, or a bad mood. If the scent of vanilla reminds you of more relaxed and easier times (and for most people, it does), why not provi

The Extreme Abuse Surveys (EAS) were created to develop a qualitative and quantitative base of data regarding the accounts of survivors of extreme abuse [1]. Four researchers from Germany and the United States, Carol Rutz, Thorsten Becker, Bettina Overcamp and Wanda Karriker worked together to develop three different surveys to develop this base of data[1]. The Trilogy The international online survey was divided into three parts. The Extreme Abuse Survey for adult survivors (EAS), was conducted betwee January 1 and March 30, 2007.

What constitutes sexual addiction? This article addresses some common misconceptions. It also more clearly defines sexual addiction. I hope that those reading this article will understand that like all addictions, sex addiction is a progressive disease. It requires more and more to get the same “high” and sex addicts find themselves seeking things that are taboo and more risky behaviors. This could result in engaging in illegal sex acts and possibly sexual abuse.

When we think of emotional stress, we automatically assume it’s something that is bad for us. Yes, some kinds of stress are associated with health issues such as high blood pressure, headaches, and even weight gain. But not all stress is negative stress.

Leading with “Passion Power” ™: A Four “P” Interactive Model for Expanding Personal Energy, Professional Creativity and Organizational Synergy – Part I Awhile back, preparing for a talk on “Becoming a Dynamic and Engaging Speaker,” I asked myself a fundamental question: what are the essential ...

Question: What is the typical profile of a homosexual narcissist? Why is he always on a lookout for new victims? Is he lying or is he telling the truth when he says that he "wants to get laid" by one and all? If he is not suicidal, is he not afraid of AIDS? Answer: Research failed to find any ...

Several different types of treatment may be helpful for self-harm, including the following:nn+ Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) CBT helps people learn new skills for managing their emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. CBT is often a fairly structured treatment, with a clear agenda for each ...

Professional Athletes Using Hypnosis to Enhance Mental Toughness and Peak Performance As they get older and put more mileage on their bodies, proactive thinking professional athletes look for an edge. Much of the training and coaching that professional athletes receive works on the logical brain, the left brain. Game plans, strategies, knowing what to do in a specific situation…all fire up the left brain. Frequently, the right brain is ignored. Balance, music, emotions, visualization and self-hypnosis all involve the right brain.

I have had many people sit on the therapy couch, look deeply at their partner, and say, “I love you, but I’m not in love with you.” As the eyes of their other half fill with tears, I explain to both of them that this is not a bad thing. Now they can get down to the business of having a real ...

SAFETY DISTANCE When a stranger comes to us or the syndrome of the elevator THE ELEVATOR One day we go into an elevator with other people who we do not know. The limited space forces us to tolerate the physical contact and we are uncomfortable. A person turns to avoid a face to face, another does not want to expose the strange his lower body, a third apparently felt a sudden curiosity to the roof of the little drawer and that was in the middle in a “I stay, I’m leaving”. Nobody looks directly anyone ... All have the unpleasant sensation of feeling violated our security space.r

You probably think of stress as bad or negative, but there are times when stress actually helps you. Andrew plays soccer on his school’s team. He tends to get really nervous before a game, and his stomach often feels a little queasy. At the same time, his adrenaline increases and that helps him perform better. If you go beyond that perfect point, the balance tips; the stress gets too great. It begins to decrease your ability to do well and starts to hurt you. Samantha tends to put school assignments off until the last minute.

This kind of stalker believes that he is in love with you. To show his keen interest, he keeps calling you, dropping by, writing e-mails, doing unsolicited errands "on your behalf", talking to your friends, co-workers, and family, and, in general, making himself available at all times. The ...

More than three decades ago I had the opportunity of meeting the iconic Ram Dass for the first time on Martha’s Vineyard at a satsung. Satsung is a Sanskrit word that means “gathering together for truth,” which usually involves teaching, music and meditation. This evening rocked my world in a subtle yet profound way. Ram Dass, formerly known as Dr. Richard Alpert, the eminent Harvard psychologist and psychedelic pioneer, traveled to India in 1967 where he met his guru,

In the book describing the fabulous tales of Baron Munchhausen, there is a story about how the legendary nobleman succeeded to pull himself out of a quicksand marsh – by his own hair. Such a miracle is not likely to recur. Narcissists cannot cure themselves any more than other mental patients ...

I was thinking of redecorating a room in my house and I was thinking of what colour scheme to use for the room which got me into thinking maybe I should research what different colours mean and what effects they have on the human psyche, so this is what I found:nnThe eleven basic colours have fundamental psychological effects, regardless of which particular shade, of it you are looking at. Each of these colours has potentially positive or negative psychological effects and de

Jungian therapy, dream interpretation and biology: Max McDowell n P {text-indent:30pt; text-align:justify} P.intro {text-indent:0pt; text-align:justify}nnnnnnnn Jungian therapy, dream interpretation and biology Maxson J. McDowell A version of this ...

There are quite a number of factors that influence the subconscious mind, these factors are more related to the kind of surrounding an individual finds themselves in. understanding how the mind works to perform its specific function is very important for anyone interested in finding information on the factors that influence the subconscious mind. First and foremost, the mind exists in two states, namely the conscious and the subconscious mind. The latter is viewed to be more

Notes of first therapy session with Mark, male, 36, diagnosed with Schizoid Personality Disorder Mark sits where instructed, erect but listless. When I ask him how he feels about attending therapy, he shrugs and mumbles "OK, I guess". He rarely twitches or flexes his muscles or in any way ...

“Midlife is when you reach the top of the ladder and find that it is against the wrong wall.” ~ Joseph Campbell Seventy-six million “Baby Boomers” are facing the midlife experience. Midlife is certainly a time of change and transition, but it is only a normal stage of ...

DEFEATING PERFECTIONIST EXTREMES In a perfectionist state of mind, you put yourself on a seesaw. You are up when you do well. You are down when you don’t. So, let’s look at how to clear this perfectionist tarnish from your window on life. Perfectionist thinking is vulnerable to ...

The fact that the Borderline personality disorder is often found among women makes it a controversial mental health diagnosis. Some scholars say that it is a culture-bound pseudo-syndrome invented by men to serve a patriarchal and misogynistic society. Others point to the fact the lives of patients diagnosed with the disorder are chaotic and that the relationships they form are stormy, short-lived, and unstable. Moreover, not unlike compensatory narcissists, people with the B

In my experience, I have found there are five big issues that cause problems in relationships. These are the major issues that could interfere with the longevity of any relationship. Here are my pick for the five issues that cause the majority of problems in relationships- not in any specific ...

Three Step Basic Posture is a synthesis of many years of practice of oriental disciplines (Aikido, Taichi, Zen) Makes centering process at your "Hara" easy, steady and strong and creates harmony within yourself. Practicing only one of these steps is incomplete. All three enables practitioner to ...

A statement constitutes a lie only if at least one of the interlocutors knows it to be untrue, yet insists or assumes that it is true. If all the parties involved in the exchange know that the statement is false or if none of them know whether it is false or true, then it is fiction or an act of faith. Lies are about facts or about states of being. Lies that pertain to facts cannot be rendered true by widespread consensus. But with regards to lies about states of being, if t

Many of today’s kids have been brought up hearing about how “special” and “smart” they are. The unintended consequence of this type of upbringing, (which, on the surface, seems like a wonderful way to build self-confidence and self-esteem), is that kids actually believe that they are special and superior to others – including their parents.

Acupuncture is a type of ancient Chinese medicine. It has been used for thousands of years, and works with over 2,000 pressure points and energy meridians in your body. As you probably know, acupuncture uses disposable needles as thin as a strand of hair placed just below the skin to stimulate ...Acupuncture is a type of ancient Chinese medicine. It has been used for thousands of years, and works with over 2,000 pressure points and energy meridians in your body.

Being exposed to a psychological trauma is a common experience in the life of an American: roughly 25 – 50% of all Americans (around 74 million to 148 million people) will be exposed to a psychological trauma at some point within their lives (Bremner, 2002). However, what exactly is meant by this term? What is a psychological trauma? A basic definition of trauma is being in a situation in which one is exposed to great danger and is rendered powerless . This great danger can

There are many ways of classifying the human mind and its ability to retain information. One of the most often used classifications are based on the duration of memory retention, specifically the sensory, short term and long term memory. Short term memory refers to the recent memory, and is usually only held for a very short period of time. A common example would be when you meet many new people, cursorily introduced at a party. Long term memory, on the other hand, can be tho

It has been going on for quite some time. You started as a joke, sexting an old flame you had not seen since college, but what was a joke at first has become a very intense activity you are involved in regularly now. You went from sexting your old friend to doing it with strangers you met on the internet, and now you are hooked to the chase and don’t even act very carefully any longer…

Biofeedback is interactive training using a display of your physiology. In biofeedback you expand self-awareness and practice powerful self-healing. This is often done with monitoring devices to train for relaxation. However, the true goal is expanding the dynamic range and flexibility of your ...

Let’s discuss one particular use of technology, sexting – sending lewd pictures and texting sexually explicit messages over the phone – in the context of relationships. A case of a public figure caught sexting has recently brought the use of this technological communication to everybody’s attention. There are two myths about this practice that need to be challenged:

What Your Favorite Color Signifies: Psychoanalysts relate that the color a person most favors, reveals moods and mood swings. They suggest that the very colors themselves have a direct effect on our state of mind. Beige: A tannish grey color exhibits impartiality. Though you certainly are not of a boisterous nature, many have a difficulty in understanding just what exactly your nature is. Black: The color of night, this darkness betokens a lack of warmth and often clear mi

Notes of first therapy session with El-Or (real name: George), male, 22, diagnosed with Schizotypal Personality Disorder El-Or's real name is George. He changed it as a result of an epiphany he experienced at the tender age of 9 when he encountered an alien spaceship in his back yard and "in ...

No one should feel responsible for the narcissist's predicament. To him, others hardly exist – so enmeshed he is in himself and in the resulting misery of this very self-preoccupation. Others are objects on which he projects his wrath, rage, suppressed and mutating aggression and, finally, ...

The subject of suicide has been heavily covered in the news lately. Mainly due to the time of year where most people believe suicide numbers rise (though some studies suggest otherwise) but also due to the well publicised suicide of an ex-sportsman in England and a number of celebrities `coming out` about depression and attempted suicide. While some of the stories have to be seen in the context that any publicity is good publicity, it does highlight the issue that suicide rates are rising.

Who has not been called stupid, fat or ugly at some time in their life? And, who has not felt hurt by such comments? Even as an adult, to be called any one of those can be hurtful. And, also, to be called the opposite of any one of those would make us feel great. How would you feel if you were told you were smart, fit and beautiful? Of course, it is not really being told either of those extremes that make us feel up or down; it is that we believe the words. If we know we are smart and are called stupid by somebody, it has no real effect, because we know, within ourselves, that we are smart.

A few days ago, the 22nd of September, marked officially the first day of autumn. Although today seems to be pretty similar to yesterday, or any day last week or the week before when it was still summer, somehow there seems to be a difference between then and now, though not quite disce ible at first sight. What is it?

It is telling that precious few psychology and psychopathology textbooks dedicate an entire chapter to abuse and violence. Even the most egregious manifestations – such as child sexual abuse – merit a fleeting mention, usually as a sub-chapter in a larger section dedicated to paraphilias or ...

The human tendency to adapt as life changes swirl around us, or to stand pat by holding to the past even when doing so is self-defeating - begins when we are infants. Our personality patterns, values, attitudes, expectations and all the rest jelled when we were deciding who we are, what life is all about and what we are worth in the scheme of things. Your life-theme, the prism through which you interpret what goes on within and about you, has also been called a person's world-view or mind-set.

The Swiss psychiatrist Hermann Rorschach developed a set of inkblots to test subjects in his clinical research. In a 1942 monograph, Rorschach postulated that the blots evoke consistent and similar responses in groups patients. Only ten of the original inkblots are currently in diagnostic use. They were selected by John Exner. He also systematized the administration and scoring of the test. The Rorschach inkblots are ambiguous forms, printed on 18X24 cm. cards, in both black

Question: What is the difference between self-love and narcissism and how does it affect the capacity to love others? Answer: There are two differences between healthy self-love and pathological narcissism: (a) in the ability to tell reality from fantasy, and (b) in the ability to empathise ...

Bess was a 34-year-old, attractive, single, accomplished attorney living in the Boston area. She lived comfortably in her condo, managed her finances, had no close friends and had a succession of unfulfilling relationships with men. She struggled with sustaining connections with others and often felt quite lonely. Only at work did she feel empowered and on her game. Bess could not figure out what got in the way of her having better relationships. Time was passing her by and m

The Systemic Constellation approach, as developed by Bert Hellinger, is a powerful tool for unlocking hidden family dynamics and events that may still influence and entrap individuals many generations hence. This approach has proved helpful in resolving issues of depression, suicide, physical and mental illness, relationship difficulties and challenges in the workplace. My primary training in this approach most often applied to group formats. In this method, some group member

Question: Can a narcissist ever get better and, if not, how should his partner end a relationship with him? Answer: The Narcissistic Personality Disorder is a systemic, all-pervasive condition, very much like pregnancy: either you have it or you don't. Once you have it, you have it day and ...

Question: Doesn't the narcissist ever feel sorry for his "victims"? Answer: The narcissist always feels "bad". He experiences all manner of depressive episodes and lesser dysphoric moods. He goes through a full panoply of mood disorders and anxiety disorders. He experiences panic from time to ...

When it comes to the subject of non surgical face lifts, there are many options that people use without even considering facial exercises because they wrongly believe it takes a long time to achieve any results. In these days of instant this or quick that, women look to covering up many their many years of good living in a flash. There are a list of things that are available. Botox, which is a form of food poisoning that relaxes the muscles or there are various forms of fillers that are injected into the skin to fill up the wrinkles.

If you are in business today – do you still feel the need to compete? Or are you thinking cooperation? These are two very different business models, which lead to different marketing strategies and outcomes. Competition When you think competition; there is or can be only one winner – all others are considered “losers.” My son is fond of saying there is no second best – 2nd place is 1st loser! Competition too often leads to a scorched earth policy. But when you scorch the earth it’s important to remember that you are on that space too and so is your business.

We all know the evils of infidelity. In previous blogs I wrote about them, citing statistics, characteristics of who is most likely to cheat, and what can be done to address these issues. Here I want to approach this subject from a different perspective: infidelity as an alarm system about the state of the relationship, and as an opportunity to make it stronger.

We are all members of a few families in our lifetime: the one that we are born to and the one(s) that we create. We all transfer hurts, attitudes, fears, hopes and desires – a whole emotional baggage – from the former to the latter. The narcissist is no exception. The narcissist has ...

Stop right now and translate your restlessness into productive energy with five simple steps: 1. Stop; stand still and consider opening up to a new perspective. Take a few deep breaths, and put your attention on the feeling of restlessness. 2. Ask yourself, “Where in my body do I feel ...

THE TIMID ON THE S. XXI The Latin root of the word timid means "be afraid". The people have used this word torn designate the timid because they are presented in society as people fearful. The timid do not sell well to himself, but at short distance they earn much and may be dazzled by his rich inner life, his creativity and his sensitivity. FORMS OF SHYNESS What is the underlying ideation on the timid? What are the engines of socially fearful behaviour? 1-THE SHY WHO HAVE A LOW SELF ASSESSMENTr

A friend of mine is the mother of four, grandmother of three, and jokingly told me that if she had one wish it was to put children entering puberty into a machine, in suspended animation, until they were mature - all the while feeding them a nutritious diet, giving them therapeutic exercise so their muscles don’t atrophy, and feeding them education through headphones. Now, I realize she was kidding, but I’m certain there are many parents who would vote for this if they were

I’m a survivor of two life-threatening postpartum depressions. For the last 20 years my mission has been to educate medical and mental health professionals and the public to promote postpartum wellness. I work directly with women and their families around the world to make sure they don’t ...

Bell bottoms, transcendental meditation, love beads, civil rights, protest marches: the 1960s, the Age of Aquarius, a time of radical social change that ushered in the “New Age.” Time passed, and gradually, New Age ideas made their way into the cultural mainstream. Among them is “spirituality,” the notion that beyond organized religion, people can directly experience a metaphysical reality that is greater than oneself. The once “flakey” not

According to Freud and his followers, our psyche is a battlefield between instinctual urges and drives (the id), the constraints imposed by reality on the gratification of these impulses (the ego), and the norms of society (the superego). This constant infighting generates what Freud called "neurotic anxiety" (fear of losing control) and "moral anxiety" (guilt and shame). But these are not the only types of anxiety. "Reality anxiety" is the fear of genuine threats and it com

AIR RAGE, like road rage, is the inability to cope with the challenges of congested traffic. Just like aggressive driving and road rage, air rage is so common that most travelers are unaware that they have it. It's just part of the background feeling that goes along with the stress of travel and transportation. This background below the surface simmering feeling of anger explodes into rage at unpredictable moments. What can the air lines do about it, and what can we do as tra

I re-programmed my sub-conscious mind and I now speak completely fluently. Speech Block For a stutterer, certain situations can be extremely stressful: you come to an office, enter into the reception and a beautiful woman walks up to you, greets you and asks you to feel welcome. And you are not able to utter a single word … and a man in the background jokes, in his mind in a friendly way, how her beauty is stunning …

Hopefully, you now have a better idea of where to find information on self-harm, the types of resources that are out there, and some of the treatments for self-harm. Below, we turn our attention to the specific ways in which you can go about finding help in your area, as well as some important ...

In order to bring the healing abilities of a comprehensive energy psychology to the public, I believe that in addition to the well-known energy psychology methods such as EFT, the field of energy psychology (EP) would be well served by expanding its terrain to include Qigong and methods of ...

Relationships are tricky! Most people would agree with this statement. Some relationships need to be constantly worked at, others drift along and are not too exciting, still others work without too much effort but all of them need a little give and take. One of the reasons for this is that we ...

Why do people tend to avoid feeling their feelings? It has everything to do with our early experience in life - what we learned and what we didn't learn. As I talk to people across the nation, most people agree that they didn't really learn how to make good use of their feelings when they were growing up. What they did learn was how to avoid certain feelings. * "It's not okay to be angry."rn* "Don't feel excited about yourself." These are the some of the common messages that

Attending a support group can be a very positive part of your recovery plan, as long as you understand what is healthy and what is dysfunctional. Let’s look at a few qualities of support groups and what happens when things get out of balance… Similarities vs Enmeshmentr When I join a support group and find others who share similar conce s, I have an immediate way of connecting. Why is this a good thing? 1. I don’t feel alone. 2. I don’t feel so awkward/strange. 3. I have others who have a similar body of knowledge about our concern. 4. I feel comfortable.r

Benefits of Qigong

It is normal to be overwhelmed and unsure of what to do, so don’t think you are unique or that there is something wrong with you. If this is your first holiday with your new blended family, expect challenges. Also, don’t think your situation is unique, as more than 50% of American families are re-married or re-coupled households, according to a survey by the Stepfamily Foundation. Here is what can make your holidays fun and provide good memories for everybody:

Taylor had never anticipated she would become a statistic in extra marital affairs. Married for only five years, independent, professionally successful and in love with her partner, she found herself flirting with a colleague who worked in the same office with her. At first it was just a friendship, with lunches, e-mails and text messages when not together, all “strictly about work.” Then the content of these conversations became more personal and intimate and, before she realized it, she started to create excuses to see this colleague.

This is an excerpt from the book "Mental Chemistry" by Charles Haanel, edited by Anthony R. Michalski, and is part of The Complete Master Key Course -- http://www.thecompletemasterkeycourse.com available through Kallisti Publishing. rnWe easily recognize three phases of consciousness, between each of which there are enormous differences. 1. Simple consciousness, which all animals possess in common. It is the sense of existence by which we recognize that “we are,” and “t

Emotional difficulties in women during pregnancy and after delivery are surprisingly common. For example, studies consistently show that approximately 14 percent of women suffer from postpartum depression (Paulson, Dauber, and Leiferman 2006). In addition, some studies have found around 16 ...

In the previous blog on sexting, we discussed who uses this technology – most popular among people in the 18-29 age bracket, but also being used by people up to the age of 50 – and why it is becoming more popular – it is fast and anonymous. Additionally, sexting is within reach for most people; it is easy to learn, always available and ready at the touch of a finger, any place, and any time. This coupled with a generally more open and relaxed attitude about sex, has created a huge market for sexting.

Binaural beats are auditory brainstem responses which originate in the superior olivary nucleus of each hemisphere.

Is it true that uncontrolled anger can lead to weight gain? Studies have taken place on this issue, from such highly regarded sources as the American Heart Association. Though initial studies have focused on teenagers, all ages are at risk for excessive weight gain directly resulting from uncontrolled anger. Why does this happen? Usually because the person is experiencing high distress and is choosing to suppress natural feelings of anger rather than confront them. Someone th

My approach to working with couples has always started with the following: Two people coming into a relationship with their own set of issues. They act out on these issues within the relationship. In order to deal with the issues that may be having a negative effect on the relationship, both people must first work through their own issues. What both individuals need to work on could range from minor issues or major issues like abuse or other trauma.

Every human being needs to get around satisfactory human relations, both in the family and other areas. Your emotional well-being will depend largely on the capacity you have to achieve this objective. In 328 BC, Aristotle said humans are social animals. Nowadays, more and more evidence is ...

Abusive conduct is not a uniform, homogeneous phenomenon. It stems and emanates from multiples sources and manifests in a myriad ways. Following are a few useful distinctions which pertain to abuse and could serve as organizing, taxonomical principles (dimensional typologies) in a kind of ...