Blog - Gale Forensic Psychology

Anger Management: Rewiring Thoughts for Emotional Control

August 25, 2023
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Anger is a natural human emotion that arises in response to perceived threats, frustrations, or injustices. While anger itself is not inherently negative, uncontrolled or intense anger can lead to harmful consequences for individuals and those around them. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has emerged as a highly effective approach in anger management by targeting the thought patterns and beliefs that contribute to its intensity and duration. This article explores how CBT techniques can help individuals rewire their thoughts and gain emotional control in the face of anger.

Understanding Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT is a therapeutic approach that focuses on the interplay between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. The underlying principle of CBT is that our thoughts influence our emotions, which, in turn, impact our actions and behaviors. By identifying and challenging negative thought patterns, individuals can change their emotional responses and, consequently, their behavioral reactions.

Cognitive Restructuring: Identifying and Challenging Negative Thoughts

The first step in CBT for anger management is cognitive restructuring. This process involves identifying automatic negative thoughts that occur when anger is triggered. These thoughts are often exaggerated, irrational, or based on cognitive distortions. By recognizing and challenging these thoughts, individuals can gain a more balanced and realistic perspective on the situation.

For example, if someone cuts in front of you in traffic and you immediately feel intense anger, your automatic thought might be, “They did that on purpose to annoy me!” Cognitive restructuring would involve questioning this thought and considering alternative explanations, such as “They might not have seen me” or “Perhaps they are in a rush due to an emergency.”

Anger Awareness and Self-Monitoring

CBT for anger management also emphasizes increasing awareness of anger triggers and early warning signs of escalating anger. By monitoring their anger responses, individuals can intervene early in the anger cycle and employ coping strategies before anger intensifies. Keeping an anger journal can be a helpful tool for tracking triggers, thoughts, and physical sensations associated with anger.

Relaxation Techniques and Stress Management

Stress and anger often go hand in hand. Learning relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and mindfulness meditation, can help individuals reduce overall stress levels and respond more calmly to anger triggers. Regular practice of these techniques enhances emotional regulation and resilience.

Problem-Solving Skills

Anger can sometimes stem from feelings of helplessness and frustration when faced with challenging situations. CBT teaches individuals effective problem-solving skills to address these situations constructively. By breaking down problems into manageable steps and considering potential solutions, individuals can feel more empowered and in control.

Assertiveness Training

Assertiveness training is an essential component of CBT for anger management. Learning to assert one’s needs and boundaries in a calm and respectful manner helps prevent feelings of resentment and frustration from building up. By expressing their concerns assertively, individuals can foster healthier relationships and reduce the likelihood of anger-inducing situations.

Cognitive Behavioral Techniques offer a powerful and evidence-based approach to managing anger by targeting the thought processes underlying emotional reactions. These techniques help individuals gain greater emotional control and lead more balanced and fulfilling lives. It is essential to remember that anger is a normal emotion, and with the right techniques and support, it can be channeled into constructive actions and positive change. Seeking the guidance of a trained mental health professional can provide valuable insights and personalized strategies for anger management success.

Ethical Considerations in Psychological Assessment: Ensuring Responsible Practice

July 31, 2023
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Psychological assessment plays a crucial role in understanding human behavior, diagnosing mental health conditions, and guiding effective treatment interventions. However, the process of assessment also raises significant ethical concerns. As mental health professionals, psychologists must be diligent in ensuring that ethical guidelines are followed throughout the assessment process. This article explores the importance of ethical considerations in psychological assessment and highlights the key principles of responsible practice.

The Foundation of Ethical Practice

Ethical practice in psychological assessment is grounded in several fundamental principles:

1. Informed Consent: Before initiating any assessment, psychologists must obtain informed consent from the individuals or their legal guardians. This includes providing a clear explanation of the assessment’s purpose, procedures, potential risks, benefits, and the right to refuse or withdraw from the assessment at any stage.

2. Confidentiality and Privacy: Psychologists must uphold strict confidentiality standards to protect the privacy of individuals undergoing assessment. They should clarify the limits of confidentiality, explaining situations where disclosure of information may be necessary, such as potential harm to the client or others.

3. Competence: Psychologists must possess the necessary training, knowledge, and skills to conduct assessments competently. They should only use assessment tools and techniques that align with their level of expertise.

4. Cultural Sensitivity: Psychological assessment must be conducted with cultural sensitivity and awareness of diverse backgrounds. Test materials and techniques should be adapted to ensure cultural appropriateness and relevance.

5. Objectivity and Fairness: Psychologists should strive for objectivity and avoid biases during assessment and interpretation of results. Fairness is crucial in ensuring that no individual or group is disadvantaged by the assessment process.

6. Feedback and Debriefing: Providing clear and meaningful feedback to clients about the assessment results is an essential ethical responsibility. Psychologists should offer appropriate debriefing to address any potential emotional or psychological impacts of the assessment.

Ensuring Responsible Practice

1. Test Selection and Administration: Psychologists must choose validated and reliable assessment tools suitable for the specific purposes of evaluation. They should administer tests according to standardized protocols and avoid using tests with questionable validity or utility.

2. Assessment Interpretation: Objective and accurate interpretation of assessment results is vital. Psychologists should refrain from overinterpreting or drawing conclusions unsupported by data. They should also consider multiple sources of information, such as interviews, collateral information, and other relevant data.

3. Avoiding Dual Relationships: Psychologists must avoid conflicts of interest or dual relationships that could compromise the objectivity and integrity of the assessment process. They should prioritize the best interests of the client above all other considerations.

4. Continuing Education and Professional Development: Staying abreast of the latest research and best practices is crucial for ethical practice. Psychologists should invest in continuous learning and professional development to enhance their assessment skills and knowledge.

Psychological assessments should be done responsibly by the professional rendering the assessment . Upholding the principles of informed consent, confidentiality, cultural sensitivity, and fairness ensures that the assessment process respects the rights and dignity of individuals seeking psychological support. By adhering to ethical guidelines and regularly evaluating their practices, mental health professionals can contribute to fostering a safe and trusting environment for clients while promoting the integrity of the field of psychology as a whole.

Child Abuse: Empowering Young Survivors on the Path to Healing

June 30, 2023
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Child abuse is an unfortunate reality that affects countless children worldwide, leaving lasting emotional and psychological scars. Seeking professional therapy becomes a crucial step towards their healing and recovery. With specialized support and interventions, children who have endured abuse can find a safe space to process their experiences, rebuild their self-esteem, and regain control over their lives. Here are the different ways professional therapy can help.

Understanding the Effects of Child Abuse

Child abuse, whether physical, emotional, or sexual, can have devastating consequences on a child’s development and overall mental health. Young survivors often experience feelings of shame, guilt, low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, and a range of other emotional challenges. By seeking therapy, young survivors can receive the necessary tools to address these issues and regain a sense of normalcy in their lives.

Creating a Safe and Supportive Environment

Professional therapy offers a safe and supportive environment where child abuse survivors can freely express their feelings and experiences without fear of judgment or punishment. Skilled therapists trained in trauma-informed care employ evidence-based techniques to help children process their trauma, develop coping strategies, and rebuild trust in themselves and others. Through individual counseling sessions or group therapy, survivors can find solace in knowing that they are not alone in their journey toward healing.

Tailored Interventions for Individual Needs

Every child abuse survivor has unique experiences and needs. Therapists understand this and employ a range of therapeutic interventions tailored to each child’s specific requirements. These may include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), play therapy, art therapy, and other modalities that facilitate healing. Such interventions provide children with a safe outlet to express their emotions, explore their trauma, and learn healthier coping mechanisms.

Breaking the Cycle of Abuse

Child abuse survivors often face a higher risk of perpetuating the cycle of abuse in their own future lives or relationships. Seeking professional therapy helps disrupt this cycle by providing survivors with tools to overcome their trauma, develop healthy relationships, and build resilience. Therapists also work closely with parents or guardians, equipping them with knowledge and skills to support their child’s healing process and prevent future instances of abuse.

Restoring a Sense of Empowerment

Child abuse can leave survivors feeling helpless and disempowered. Therapy plays a pivotal role in helping children reclaim their sense of self-worth. Through therapy, survivors learn to recognize their strengths and set healthy boundaries. With ongoing support, they develop the confidence to navigate life’s challenges and pursue their dreams.

Child abuse can have long-lasting and devastating effects on survivors. Seeking professional therapy offers child abuse survivors a lifeline, providing them with a safe space to heal, recover, and regain control over their lives. Through tailored interventions, specialized support, and a focus on empowerment, therapy equips survivors with the necessary tools to break free from the chains of abuse, restore their emotional well-being, and build a brighter future.

Recognizing Child Abuse

Recognizing the signs of child abuse is crucial in protecting vulnerable children and ensuring their safety. While not all signs may be immediately apparent, being vigilant can help identify potential cases of abuse. Some common indicators of child abuse include:

1. Physical signs: Unexplained bruises, burns, fractures, or other injuries that are inconsistent with the child’s age or developmental stage. Frequent injuries or injuries in various stages of healing may be red flags.

2. Behavioral signs: Sudden changes in behavior, such as difficult behavior, withdrawal, aggression, excessive fear or anxiety, regressive behaviors (e.g., thumb sucking or bed-wetting not typical for their age), and extreme distrust of people.

3. Emotional signs: Persistent sadness, low self-esteem, sudden mood swings, extreme emotional outburts, excessive fear of certain individuals or places, and displaying overly compliant or avoidant behavior.

4. Neglect indicators: Poor hygiene, consistently unsupervised or left alone for long periods, lack of appropriate clothing or nourishment, and frequent absences from school.

5. Environmental signs: Living in a chaotic or unsafe environment, exposure to domestic violence, substance abuse, or witnessing violence between caregivers.

6. Verbal signs: Frequent belittling, shaming, or humiliation of the child by caregivers or family members. Threats of violence or severe punishment may also be used to control or intimidate the child.

7. Social signs: Isolation from peers, difficulty forming and maintaining friendships, or an apparent lack of social skills. The child may also exhibit extreme compliance with adults or an unusual fear of authority figures.

8. Disrupted attachment: A child who shows an inconsistent attachment style with caregivers, such as excessive clinginess or avoiding physical contact. This may indicate disrupted or abusive relationships within the family.

9. Self-destructive behaviors: Engaging in self-harm, suicidal ideation, or other self-destructive behaviors as a response to emotional distress caused by abuse.

10. Educational signs: A sudden decline in academic performance, lack of concentration, or increased absenteeism from school due to fear or avoidance of the abusive situation.

11. Runaway behavior: Children who frequently run away from home or from school may be trying to escape an abusive environment.

12. Inappropriate knowledge or behavior: Children displaying knowledge of sexual acts or explicit content that is not age-appropriate may have been exposed to sexual abuse or exploitation.

It is important to remember that these signs should be considered in context, and the presence of one or more signs does not necessarily confirm abuse. However, if you observe persistent or multiple signs, it is essential to report your concerns to the appropriate authorities to prevent child abuse reoccurence. The authorities can conduct a comprehensive assessment and take appropriate action to ensure the safety and well-being of the child. It is essential that society recognizes the importance of therapy for child abuse survivors and supports initiatives that make professional help accessible to all those in need.

Becoming the Family Caregiver – What You Should Know

May 30, 2023
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Becoming the Family Caregiver – What You Should Know

It can happen in the blink of an eye; an accident, a life-altering injury, or a diagnosis creates the instant need for ongoing, long-term care of a beloved family member.
Who is there to do this except for you?

Today, an increasingly older population, advances in healthcare, and other factors, like inflation, are making this scenario a reality for more and more adults.

What Is a Caregiver?

Typically, caregivers are unpaid family members or friends assisting elderly adults and family members suffering chronic conditions or disabilities with daily necessities like shopping, bathing, dressing, bill paying, and managing prescriptions.
Family caregivers are often the recipient’s primary companionship and emotional support source.

Being a caregiver is usually a learning process without formal training. Women comprise 58% of all caregivers, and nearly 1/3 routinely spend at least 20 hours providing care each week. Interestingly, among caregivers, 79% care for adults over 50, and an equal percentage of recipients are at least 65.

The Increasing Need

Between 2015 and 2020, caregivers grew from 43.5 million to approximately 53 million, representing more than 20% of the population. And, there is no end in sight as an estimated 73 million Americans will soon reach 65 years or older, with many requiring long-term care.

Our aging population makes it prudent to understand the role and challenges you may face as your loved ones grow older.

Concerns for Caregivers

While your caregiving efforts help the recipient maintain their independence and quality of life and allow them to remain in a home setting, these efforts can also take their toll on you.

Almost 20% of caregivers report having to quit work, with another 40% reducing their hours. Family caregivers frequently pay out-of-pocket for their charge’s needs.

Family caregivers often ignore their health and well-being in service of their loved ones. Providing ongoing care and assisting with daily needs can become stressful.

Dealing with cognitive and behavioral issues adds to the stress and challenges for family caregivers, increasing the risk of them having multiple chronic conditions. Depression, anxiety, diminished quality of life, and well-being are all common issues for family caregivers.

On the Plus Side

Being a family caregiver can increase self-confidence and satisfaction from helping someone else. You will gain new knowledge and skills and, ideally, build friendships and connections with other caregivers.

It is important to remember that your caregiving allows your family member to remain at home with family and in a familiar environment.
The value for them is immeasurable.

Take Care of Yourself

It can be easy to focus so narrowly on your caregiving that you ignore your welfare. Caregiving is demanding, and if you are not physically or mentally healthy, the care you can give will be limited, just like anything else.

Ask for Help

Reach out to family and friends. You might be surprised at the response when you make them aware of their friend’s or loved one’s challenges and needs. They are often ready to help but unsure of what to do and do not want to intrude.

Your church or place of worship will often have resources available to help both you and your loved one. Support groups specific to most conditions, diseases, and caregiving provide peer support, and community feedback and interactions. Here is a link to help you get started.

Various avenues for receiving pay as a family caregiver are available today; you can learn more about this here.

Conclusion

The value you provide by becoming a family caregiver is priceless for the recipient. While the challenges and effort are substantial, the rewards can be equally difficult to achieve otherwise.

But your caregiving must include yourself.
To provide the highest level of care, you must be at or near the top of your game. And don’t neglect to ask for help because nobody can provide all the necessary care by themselves.

It is essential for you as a caregiver to seek out support that can help sustain your efforts. Please take advantage of the resources above and speak with a therapist if this is the best avenue for the support you need.

Your work is too important, and your well-being is crucial to that work.

The Intricate Role of a Forensic Psychologist in Child Custody Counseling

May 28, 2023
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Child custody cases are emotionally charged and complex legal matters that require careful consideration of the child’s best interests. In such situations, forensic psychologists play a crucial role in providing expert guidance and conducting assessments to help determine suitable custody arrangements. By employing their unique expertise in psychology, the law, and child custody counseling, these professionals navigate the intricacies of child custody disputes, aiming to ensure the well-being and healthy development of the children involved.

Understanding the Role

A forensic psychologist involved in child custody counseling assumes multifaceted responsibilities to assess the needs and circumstances of each child, while also considering the abilities and suitability of each parent or guardian. Let’s explore some of the key roles they undertake:

1. Conducting Comprehensive Assessments

Forensic psychologists carefully evaluate the mental health, parenting skills, and overall well-being of each parent or guardian involved in the custody dispute. They use a variety of assessment techniques, such as interviews, psychological tests, and behavioral observations, to gather relevant information. These assessments help in understanding the strengths, weaknesses, and potential risks associated with each parent’s ability to provide a nurturing environment for the child. Performing a good assessment is a crucial part of child custody counseling.

2. Assessing Parent-Child Dynamics

Understanding the quality of the relationship between each parent and the child is vital in determining suitable custody arrangements. Forensic psychologists assess the parent-child interactions, looking for signs of emotional bonding, communication patterns, and the level of support provided. They observe how parents meet the child’s physical, emotional, and developmental needs, considering factors such as attachment, discipline, and involvement in the child’s daily life.

3. Identifying Co-Parenting Abilities

Forensic psychologists evaluate the ability of parents to co-parent effectively. They assess their communication skills, willingness to collaborate, and capacity to make joint decisions in the child’s best interests. Additionally, when conducting custody evaluation, they consider factors such as the ability to manage conflict, respect the child’s relationships with extended family members, and promote a stable and consistent environment.

4. Addressing Psychological Factors

In some cases, forensic psychologists may identify underlying psychological factors that could impact the parent’s ability to provide adequate care. This is also important in child custody counseling. This might involve assessing mental health issues, substance abuse problems, or histories of domestic violence that may affect the child’s well-being. These assessments are conducted with the utmost sensitivity, ensuring that the focus remains on promoting the child’s safety and healthy development.

5. Providing Expert Testimony

Forensic psychologists often serve as expert witnesses, presenting their evaluations and findings to the court. They offer professional opinions based on their expertise and objective assessments, assisting the court in making informed decisions regarding child custody arrangements. Their testimony helps translate complex psychological concepts into understandable terms for the legal system and aids in shaping custody agreements that prioritize the child’s best interests.

6. Addressing High-Conflict Situations

In cases involving high-conflict custody disputes, forensic psychologists play a crucial role in helping parents navigate complex emotions and conflicts. They may offer parental counseling, child custody counseling, or therapeutic interventions to improve communication, manage conflicts, and foster a cooperative co-parenting relationship. By providing guidance and strategies for effective problem-solving and conflict resolution, forensic psychologists aim to minimize the negative impact of parental conflict on the child.

7. Considering the Child’s Developmental Needs

Forensic psychologists recognize the importance of considering the developmental needs of the child when determining custody arrangements. They assess factors such as the child’s age, cognitive abilities, emotional development, and special needs. By taking into account these factors, forensic psychologists can recommend custody plans that provide an optimal environment for the child’s growth, allowing them to thrive physically, emotionally, and academically.

8. Collaborating with Other Professionals

Child custody cases often require collaboration between various professionals to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the child’s needs. Forensic psychologists work closely with family law attorneys, social workers, child advocates, and other mental health professionals in providing child custody counseling. This collaboration helps to gather diverse perspectives, exchange information, and develop holistic strategies that best serve the child’s interests.

9. Remaining Impartial and Objective

One of the fundamental responsibilities of a forensic psychologist in child custody counseling is maintaining impartiality and objectivity throughout the evaluation process. They adhere to ethical guidelines and professional standards to ensure that their assessments are based on empirical evidence and unbiased observations. By maintaining objectivity, forensic psychologists provide the court with reliable and unbiased information to assist in making custody decisions.

10. Continued Involvement and Monitoring

Forensic psychologists may remain involved even after the custody decision has been made. They may provide recommendations for ongoing monitoring or periodic evaluations to assess the implementation of the custody arrangement and its impact on the child. This ongoing involvement ensures that the child’s best interests are continually prioritized and that any necessary modifications to the custody plan can be made based on the child’s evolving needs.

Conclusion

The role of a forensic psychologist in child custody counseling is multifaceted and pivotal in ensuring that custody decisions prioritize the best interests of the child. Through comprehensive assessments and continued involvement, forensic psychologists contribute to establishing custody arrangements that promote the child’s well-being and provide a foundation for their healthy development. By applying their expertise at the intersection of psychology and the law, these professionals play a vital role in the resolution of child custody disputes, ultimately aiming to nurture the child’s best interests.

Learn more about the role of a forensic psychologist in child custody counseling here.

Understanding Social Isolation and Loneliness

April 25, 2023
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Understanding Social Isolation and Loneliness

Our relationships and connections with others are essential to our nature and crucial for a healthy and long life. The effects of social isolation and loneliness can lead to many severe physical and mental health issues.

The Hazards

Numerous studies indicate isolation’s effect on longevity exceeds that of smoking, lack of access to adequate care, obesity, or insufficient exercise. It can also increase stress levels, diminish sleep, and exacerbate anxiety and depression.

Social isolation and loneliness are consequential to every element of your mental health, from suicidal thoughts or attempts to difficulty focusing, accomplishing intricate or complex tasks, and unhealthy eating habits.

Every individual is different regarding how isolation and loneliness affect them. Each of us has our personal life experience that is unique to us, and these life experiences direct our responses to everything life throws at us, including loneliness and isolation.

The effects and remedies for loneliness and social isolation are not one-size-fits-all concepts but must focus on the individual’s experience and perceptions.

Are Social Isolation and Loneliness the Same Thing?

As a physical separation of an individual from others, social isolation is objective. On the other hand, loneliness is that uncomfortable feeling of abandonment and hopelessness and, therefore, subjective.

According to the latest U.S. Census, over 25% of Americans (more than ever before) are living alone. But this does not mean they are all lonely or suffering social isolation.

Some individuals seeking solitude may socially isolate themselves, which does not indicate loneliness.

Who Is at Risk?

The short answer to this question is “anyone.”

Losing a spouse or partner unexpectedly, retirement, loss of mobility, or any sudden and unforeseen tragedy or diagnosis can happen to anyone and are all potential causes of social isolation and loneliness. Lack of accessible transportation after such events can magnify our feelings and perceptions of loneliness and isolation.

One group at particular risk is older people, who may often feel they are no longer useful and productive contributors to their communities. These feelings diminish self-worth and only facilitate a downhill spiral leading to chronic loneliness.

Among its many significant health impacts, chronic loneliness can cause intensive fight-or-flight stimuli, adversely affecting the immune system. People enduring chronic loneliness have less protection, are more susceptible to disease, and suffer more inflammation than the general population.

What Can You Do?

Since there is no specific underlying cause for social isolation and loneliness, there are no simple answers either, meaning that any interventions must address the underlying issues and causes for that particular person.

For an individual suffering from isolation and loneliness, acknowledging the reality of their situation and reflecting on how their beliefs and perceptions are contributing to these issues is essential. Solving a problem is much easier when we can be truthful with ourselves and have an honest and clear understanding of our predicament.

But what strategies will help us overcome our loneliness and social isolation once we understand?

Stay Connected

Start, renew, or maintain relationships with people and groups you have some history with. The same goes for membership in special-interest or civic organizations and church or religious affiliations.

Keeping in touch with groups and people you have experience with can be the most straightforward solution to these vexing issues.

Explore Opportunities

Volunteering your services to support others is a fantastic strategy to help lift yourself out of isolation. Inventory your skills and interests to help determine the most rewarding venue for your volunteer efforts. Or, perhaps joining a support group or a community action organization is more your style. Finding new ways to forge new attitudes can be rewarding in more ways than one.

Enjoy the Outdoors

Spending time outside in natural sunlight can boost vitamin D levels, improve your mood, and benefits your physical and mental health. A little time in nature can go a long way in relieving stress and negative thoughts.

Take Care of Yourself

The stress of isolation and loneliness can interfere with your blood pressure, breathing, muscles, and much more. It is essential to counter stress with strategies like deep breathing, a warm bath, yoga, meditation, or whatever techniques or regimens work best in your situation.

Here are some additional ideas for moving past the crushing weight of social isolation and loneliness.

Join a Book Club
Engage with a Church Group
Revive Your Dreams and Goals
Develop a Comprehensive Exercise Plan
Take Some Classes/Learn a New Skill

Conclusion

No matter your station in life, social isolation, and loneliness can happen more quickly than you might think. None of us have a guarantee of tomorrow.

Finding yourself in a new and unfamiliar world of isolation and loneliness may be unimaginable today. Still, the rigors of life can make it a reality at the drop of a hat.

If you are suffering from loneliness and social isolation, talking to a therapist or psychologist can be very helpful in peeling back the layers and understanding how you might conquer your negative mindset and improve your situation.

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Understanding Anxiety and How to Deal with It

March 30, 2023
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Understanding Anxiety and How to Deal with It

Everyone experiences anxiety from time to time; it’s a normal emotional reaction in anticipation of an unpleasant occurrence. Overwhelming distress is the benchmark indicator of anxiety.

What Is Anxiety?

Constant worry can leave the patient incapable of responding appropriately in daily interactions, making handling stress even more challenging. “Persistent and excessive worry” causing individuals to shift from a healthy perception of their life to an irrational view where they “expect the worst even when there is no obvious reason to be concerned” is the Anxiety and Depression Association of America’s definition for anxiety.

Although anxiety can bring fearful feelings, they are two different things. In psychological terms, fear rises from anticipating an actual future event, whereas anxiety is typically a nervous response to an irrational viewpoint of a potential occurrence.

Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety is an obstacle to daily function, engagement and a mental health condition. The various anxiety disorders each have particular indicators and challenges. Understanding the specific anxiety disorder plaguing you is essential to receive proper treatment and resolution.

The primary anxiety disorders are:

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAC)
Panic Disorder
Phobias
Separation Anxiety
Agoraphobia
Social Anxiety

Some mental health issues like PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) exhibit elements of anxiety disorders

The Symptoms

Aside from excessive worrying, fatigue, irritability, problems with concentrating, difficulty falling or staying asleep, are among the many problematic symptoms of anxiety disorders. Patients suffering from these conditions often experience sweaty palms, shaky hands, a racing pulse, and dry mouth, to name just a few of the unpleasant symptoms associated with anxiety disorders.

These symptoms result from your brain readying your body to face a perceived danger or threat. The fight-or-flight reaction kicks in, and blood is diverted from your gastrointestinal system and other areas not critical to defending against this threat.

While this reaction is natural, healthy, and beneficial in the face of actual danger, it is debilitating when the threat is not real. The heightened level of hormones and the diversion of essential blood flow remain at high levels far longer than in an actual threatening environment which can result in serious health consequences.

What Can You Do?

You can do several things to alleviate and even free yourself from anxiety. Changing your outlook and adopting a more rational and less fearful perspective is the first step.

Lifestyle choices can be crucial for moving beyond the burden of anxiety. Common sense solutions such as a balanced and healthy diet, going for a walk and experiencing nature regularly, and establishing a regular exercise routine are all healthy strategies to reduce or eliminate anxiety.

Setting limits on your commitments and learning to say no when necessary can provide substantial relief and make your life more fulfilling. Overcommitting due to the inability to say no can quickly become overwhelming.

While beneficial in certain circumstances, procrastination can become a significant source of anxiety when we let things slide and suddenly have a mountain of incomplete chores and obligations. Writing down all of those neglected tasks and completing them one at a time can be rewarding and will indeed eliminate substantial stress and anxiety.

Summary

Anxiety and anxiety disorders are treatable mental health concerns. Different anxiety disorders present particular symptoms and challenges that need specific treatment.

The main challenge to resolving these issues is adjusting your viewpoint, the perspective you hold about your life. Anxiety results from irrational and fearful thoughts regarding a perceived future event. Fostering a more realistic vision is crucial to move past this debilitating issue.

If you suffer from anxiety in any form, there are well-established therapies to help you live a less fearful and more productive life.

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Mental Health and Social Media – What to Know

February 28, 2023
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Mental Health and Social Media – What to Know

Being social creatures, companionship, and connecting with others is essential and significantly impact our happiness and mental health. Social media connections can alleviate stress, anxiety, and depression while boosting self-worth, comfort, and confidence.

Conversely, lacking these connections can lead to severe emotional and mental health issues like increased anxiety and depression, to name only two. And while social media platforms promise to deliver these connections, they cannot replicate human-to-human real-time interactions.

The tactile experience of in-person collaborations causes the release of hormones that increase happiness, reduce stress, and help you feel healthier and more positive. Excessive social media use can bring on anxiety and depression while delivering feelings of loneliness and isolation, potentially exacerbating existing mental health issues.

The Downside

Among its most insidious faults, comparing one’s life to the exciting social media postings of others is a significant source of anxiety, depression, and envy. Pictures of exotic vacations, expensive toys, stunning physiques, and other enticing messages can trigger a negative emotional response.

Along with these unhealthy comparisons, cyberbullying and self-absorption lurk everywhere. Your impulse control is under constant assault from incessant notifications and the Fear of Missing out (FO MO).

Sleep

Research shows that social media users go to bed later, sleep worse and get less sleep, especially nighttime users. Screen time at night can stimulate your brain at a time when you want to relax and fall asleep.

Lack of sleep can pose serious health risks and inhibits our ability to function well in our daily lives. It is a problem you should take seriously.

Be Aware

It’s critical that each of us understand the potential pitfalls of these and make conscious decisions about our usage of these platforms. Otherwise, we risk this technology taking over our lives and steering us away from the people and things that are truly important.

Many individuals escape to social media as their “security blanket” to avoid anxious or awkward feelings, loneliness, or uncomfortable situations. We see it every day – people are seemingly obsessed with their devices and unable to communicate in real time.

If this sounds like you, perhaps it’s time to reevaluate how you spend your time.

What Are the Pluses?

It isn’t all bad; a lot of good things are available on these platforms.

Special interests abound on social media. You can find a support group for virtually any health condition, pets of all types, hobbies, professions, service groups, you name it, and you will find it somewhere online.

Almost anything you can do in the real world and many things you cannot are there to discover.

And perhaps most important is the connection social media can provide for families and friends to stay in touch across the miles. You can share pictures of grandchildren, vacations, gatherings, significant lifetime achievements, and everything that makes life available instantly, no matter where you are.

Final Thoughts

Social media platforms aim to keep you engaged for as long as possible and employ technologies that seem to foster a form of addiction. Many become obsessive users and find it virtually impossible to break their compulsive behavior.

So, what can you do to break your existing habit or avoid falling into the social media trap?

It all comes down to how you use and interact with these platforms.

What priority do they play in your life?

Like anything, social media can be a blessing or a curse.
It all depends on you and your choices.

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Effective ways to cope with divorce stress

January 30, 2023
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Effective ways to cope with divorce stress

Ending a marriage is one of the most stressful and emotionally draining situations of adult life. Not to mention the impact of divorce on children. Although there is not much you can do to eliminate divorce stress and pain, your hope for moving on is the gift of self-management because life goes on at the end of it all.

It is essential to properly deal with the negative emotions that arise from divorce to enable you to move on and maintain optimal mental health. This way, you can avoid transferring your emotional baggage to your new relationships or wreaking your self-confidence and esteem going forward. Therefore this article will explore the most effective strategies for coping with divorce stress. Now let’s get started!

Make your mental, emotional and physical health your top priority

Falling into substance abuse and other habits to elicit temporary relief from divorce stress looks like the best thing to do. However, it really isn’t. The reason is that it puts you on a downward spiral. Also, you never truly move on from there. If you have children, you should prioritize their health, too, from a holistic viewpoint.

You should prioritize your mental, emotional and physical health because they are all you’ve got when your partner leaves. They make up all of YOU! Besides, sound health will see you through at the end of the day—during the long lonely nights or dull days.

You need to be at your best to withstand the pain associated with divorce stress to enable you emerge stronger. You can achieve this by eating healthy, staying physically fit and getting plenty of rest. All these will help you build a stronger, healthier mind and body to see you through the pain you are experiencing.

Increasing your awareness and being self-nurturing

A practical method to gain control of your holistic health when dealing with divorce stress is by paying attention to your emotional needs and nurturing yourself emotionally and physically. Paying attention to your emotional needs means cultivating a heightened awareness of your emotions. The reason is that divorce stress can leave you feeling vulnerable and weak. As a result, you need more emotional awareness to figure out what you need in real-time.

You could find and join a support group, visit a therapist or engage in mindful activities like journaling to help you process the many feelings flooding your mind per time—the general idea is to practice more self-care.

Show yourself a great deal of kindness to overcome divorce stress

The concept of self-responsibility that comes with our modern age can increase your tendency to beat yourself up in stressful situations like a divorce. This is where self-kindness comes in handy as research reveals that people with self-compassion handle divorce challenges better leading up to months after separation. You should not see your ending marriage as a representation of your failure.

The truth is—there is no standard way to feel when dealing with a divorce. Yes, there will be tears and lots of them, but while you allow yourself to feel these intense emotions, your focus should be on healing. Your feelings are valid, no matter how they present themselves.

Final Thought

Truth be told, divorce stress is expected when a marriage ends abruptly. However, what counts is how you handle it and your ability to convert the stress into your leverage for stronger, healthier well-being because you are stronger than you know. Hopefully, the tips in this piece point you in the right direction for taking charge of your life and moving on after a divorce.

The Resisting Client, What To Do

December 30, 2022
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The Resisting Client, what to do

Some clients tend to be hostile toward forensic psychology sessions, which prevents the attainment of a treatment’s objective. Meanwhile, labeling clients “resistant” may result in non-compliance and non-willingness to continue with treatment. So, therapists must use their therapeutic skills and background to identify clients exhibiting resistance correctly. The last thing you will want a therapist is to derail your patient’s progress, especially due to a misdiagnosis.

Tried and tested ways of helping resisting clients

Client resistance is not a new phenomenon in psychology. Fortunately, there are several proven ways of helping resistant clients, and below are the top four.

Explore and use things they find motivating

Pain, pleasure, or a mix of the two; are the three main things that motivate human behavior. Sometimes, the benefits associated with or attached to achieving a desired goal encourage individuals to act. Similarly, avoiding negative consequences will push people to act. Therefore, therapists should also explore whether a negative change in the status quo can push people to act in a desired way.

Psychoeducation

It will help if therapists use psychoeducation to teach their clients the benefits of improved motivation, enhanced self-esteem, and regular therapy sessions. Clients can return to their everyday work and life routines with the help of psychoeducation. Moreover, psychoeducation sessions allow clients to recover from PTSD, anxiety, depression, and more.

Some clients might exhibit signs of resistance after the onset of the psychology sessions. Therapists should take a non-judgmental approach towards these clients, even if they don’t complete assigned follow-up activities. During this stage, the therapist should focus on building rapport with the client using techniques like reflection, unconditional positive communication, and empathy.

Acknowledge their client’s perspective

Yes, some clients could be more talkative. Nevertheless, for the ones that are, it will be best to acknowledge their perspective—even if it doesn’t resonate with you. Understanding and recognizing how your clients see things, their response to what they see, and understanding that they are entitled to a different perception will help you help them, especially clients dealing with negative emotions. So, avoid wondering why your client is “mad as hell” for being in your presence.

Talk about the resistance, but don’t fight it

Fighting a resisting client is one guaranteed way of staying within the issue. Therefore, do your best to discuss the resistance without ever fighting it.

Come see what Dr. Deloney at Gayle Forensic Psychology is all about here.