The latest research shows that childhood trauma is linked to anxiety, depression, and relationship issues in adulthood. Early childhood issues may impact the functionality of brain structures such as the hippocampus and alter neurobiological mechanisms that manage stress responses. This research highlights the importance of addressing childhood problems once you’ve reached adulthood and of working with a therapist to resolve long-standing challenges. Read more
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Anxiety is a term you may have heard of, or perhaps even experience yourself, but it’s a term that is often used, sometimes incorrectly. To clarify, everyone experiences some anxiety from time to time; however, for some people, it is a debilitating, life-altering condition. You need to seek help when anxiety levels interfere with your day-to-day life. Read more
Social anxiety seems, on the surface, to be a trifling, almost incomprehensible condition to the average American. We are a country that is built on friendship, neighbors, and huge cities filled with millions of people. What could an American, living in a country like that, possibly have against interacting with other people?
The reality, however, is that many people across the country do have problems interacting with others. For some, this may exhibit itself as an awkward shyness that merely makes them slow to open up to other people and make friends. For others, it is a crippling anxiety that prevents them from making any meaningful connections or interactions with other people.
Professionally, it is referred to as “Social Anxiety,” and here’s what you need to know about it.
For the people without experience or exposure to it, anxiety disorders may seem silly. The unfamiliar may dismiss an anxiety disorder as simply “worrying too much.” But while worry is a very real component of an anxiety disorder, this simple description ignores the complexity of the problem and it’s very real, negative effects on a person’s life. An anxiety disorder is a serious condition that is chronic; that is, it is present in a person’s life on a regular basis and often influences their life and behavior. If you think you, or someone you know has an anxiety disorder, you should keep an eye out for symptoms in three key areas.
To someone unfamiliar with the condition, an anxiety disorder may sound like one general problem with only one set of symptoms and one kind of treatment, similar to physical illnesses like measles or chickenpox. The truth is that there are many different types of anxiety disorders, and that is because they can be caused by many different factors, some medical, some psychological, some a mix of both. We’re going to look at the five most common types of disorders to see just how much they differ from each other.
What may sound like a bit of a tongue twister is actually a very simple and effective psychotherapy method that uses the theories and practices of analytical psychology. It is also sometimes referred as psychodynamic therapy.
These practices allow patients to understand and acknowledge their problems by making them more aware of their inner mind workings and how it relates to their relationships and other important mental factors. This psychotherapy is also sometimes referred to as “talk therapy” because the nature of the treatment is to talk and discuss the issues at hand.
Stress is one of the biggest health problems facing people today. Chronic stress from any number of sources puts the body’s natural stress response mechanism into arrest. The body needs time to recover from stressful situations, and in the fast-paced world we live in, the pressures we put on ourselves on a daily basis begins to take its toll on our mental health.
Chronic stress levels can lead to the development of many mental health disorders such as anxiety or depression. It is important to understand what causes stress, how it affects the body and mind, and how to cope with stress. If you are feeling suicidal, you should arrange to talk to someone immediately, either an anonymous telephone hotline, your nearest hospital or a mental health professional.
Stress is something that people often relate to as a sense of intense emotional pressure, but it’s actually a very physical response that humans undergo when faced with a threatening situation. For instance, in a life or death situation, the body goes into fight or flight mode—which is marked by an increased heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing, as well as muscle tensing—to prepare your mind and body to defend itself.
However, stress is also caused by external and internal factors that aren’t life-threatening, including relationship problems, work, school, money, family, and chronic worrying or pessimism. But long-term stress can have a negative impact on your body and mind, so it’s important to recognize the signs and symptoms so that you can take action before you become a victim of your body’s response system. Read more
In order to see the good in other people, we must learn to see the good in ourselves. We must also come to terms with the bad and evil in ourselves. Far from being easy, this is our lifelong battle. The denial and projection of these feelings lend to the destruction of our ‘self’. Anxiety and depression takes hold and cripples us. Ironically, acknowledgement of the ‘ugly’ opens the door to love and gratitude.
Denial is a defense mechanism in which you refuse to recognize that you feel a certain emotion. Oftentimes, this is because that particular emotion goes against how you perceive yourself. It actually works against your self-view, so you suppress it. Read more
Very few adolescents and young adults reject the idea of being popular. ‘Fitting in’ is a common theme for these stages of development. As you get older you begin to develop your own individuality and becoming popular no longer fits. However, the desire to be socially competent is a theme that last throughout life.
Numerous studies have been conducted on social competencies. There are about 12 social skills for adults associated with popularity. These social skills come intuitively for some and not so for others. Many consciously develop and master these social skills to perfection, while others struggle. Unfortunately, at times, those who make social ‘faux pas’ pay an all to heavy price. Despite their good intentions, peers reject them.
Narcissistic personality disorders causes are mostly related to early development of a child with the family, friends, and other children. What does a boy needs to become a man? A boy needs to love someone who is perfect in his eyes, and then continue to love him/her when he learns they are not. He needs to be told what he is feeling in order to develop a vocabulary and understanding. He then needs a best friend who he identifies the same likeness in himself…’I’m okay because you’re okay.’ to prevent narcissistic personality disorder. Let’s explore in more depth below:
A developing child has three major psychological needs that need to be fulfilled during childhood. They are as follows:
- Need to Idealize
- Need to be Mirrored
- The Need to be like Others
Quarter life crisis symptoms or midlife crisis in 20s or early life crisis symptoms appear in young adulthood. You might feel:
Stuck?
Frustrated with relationships?
Anxious or depressed or lonely?
Confused about your identity or sense of self?
Bored with social interactions?
Insecure about your near future?
Questioning your close interpersonal relationships?
Disappointed with your job or career choice?
Feel like everyone is doing better than you?
Fantasizing about the past (high school, college, good times)?
Joseph LaFleur & Associates
Washington, DC Therapists – Psychotherapy, Counseling for Men, Depression & Anxiety, LGBTQ, Trauma, and PTSD
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