28 February 2023

Restoring a Sense of Calm after an Abusive Relationship

Healing After An Abusive and Narcissistic Relationship

Restoring a Sense of Calm (after an Abusive Relationship)

The more tranquil a man becomes, the greater is his success, his influence, his power for good. Calmness of mind is one of the beautiful jewels of wisdom.” — James Allen

Acceptance for Calmness and Peace of Mind

It took more than two years to fully comprehend and finally accept that this period in my life was a steep and important learning curve in gaining a better understanding of the destructive behaviour against me. One of the biggest achievements was the much needed insight into my own emotional vulnerability in dealing with (any) abusive behaviour against me and how it should be handled in future.

Learning more about the broad spectrum of inappropriate and antisocial behaviour that I was subjected to was necessary for my own emotional introspection and mental wellness recovery. During this time I also analysed my own actions, reactions and codependent behaviour of being in a dysfunctional relationship with someone committing abusive behaviour against my goodwill and emphatic values.

Coming to terms with abusive behaviour
I have regained a sense of calm and a comprehensive understanding of the 'cause and effect' of the abusive behavior towards me. The online journaling here on the Mental Health and Motivation website generated an in-depth internalisation and objective rationalisation of the traumatic and disappointing events during and after the relationship. I also used this period to reflect on my own codependency and cognitive dissonance challenges before I was finally ready to let go.

Moving forward after working through this dramatic period is one of the most gratifying feelings I have had in a long time. I believe the fulcrum of my expectations of sense of self and others are being restored to provide a more balanced lifestyle on my own and / or in the company of others.

The physical exposure (and the extensive research) of abuse, domestic violence and associated trauma that I was subjected to is also a poignant reminder of how many people across the world are suffering the same fate. Sharing my experiences and the resources that guided me along the way provides me with a sense of purpose and motivation to be of assistance to anyone else finding themselves tangled in this haunting web of abuse, domestic violence and post-relationship breakup trauma challenges.

Abuse and Domestic Violence: 'The Result of Playing Chess'

Portfolio of Choice
I have named the knowledge that I have gained, my available time and the opportunity to journal about the relationship experiences my Portfolio of Choice. My daily writing (and the development of this website) became my therapeutic journaling. I'm grateful for the opportunity and time to write and share my personal experiences.

© Vernon Chalmers : Mental Health and Motivation (Abusive Relationship Recovery)

Additional Information: Restoring a Sense of Calm
"Restoring a sense of calm can be beneficial for your overall well-being and help you navigate challenging situations with greater clarity and resilience. Here are some strategies to help you cultivate calmness:

1. Deep breathing and relaxation techniques: Practice deep breathing exercises, such as diaphragmatic breathing or alternate nostril breathing, to activate the body's relaxation response. Engaging in relaxation techniques like progressive muscle relaxation or guided imagery can also help reduce stress and promote calmness.

2. Mindfulness and meditation: Cultivate present-moment awareness through mindfulness and meditation practices. This involves focusing your attention on the present, observing your thoughts and emotions without judgment, and allowing them to pass by. Regular meditation can promote a sense of calm and increase your ability to respond to stressors in a more centered way.

3. Engage in physical activity: Exercise is a powerful tool for reducing stress and promoting a calm state of mind. Engaging in activities like walking, jogging, yoga, or any form of physical exercise that you enjoy can release endorphins, which help boost mood and reduce anxiety.

4. Connect with nature: Spending time outdoors and connecting with nature has been shown to have a calming effect on the mind and body. Take a walk in a park, garden, or natural setting, and allow yourself to immerse in the sights, sounds, and sensations of nature.

5. Practice self-care: Engage in activities that promote self-care and relaxation. This can include taking a warm bath, listening to calming music, reading a book, enjoying a hobby, or spending quality time with loved ones. Prioritize activities that bring you joy and help you unwind.

6. Simplify your environment: Decluttering your physical space can have a positive impact on your mental state. Organize your surroundings, create a peaceful and uncluttered environment, and establish a designated space for relaxation and calmness.

7. Limit exposure to stressors: Identify sources of stress in your life and take steps to minimize exposure to them, when possible. This may involve setting boundaries, saying no to additional commitments, or reducing exposure to negative influences, such as news or social media.

8. Prioritize sleep: Ensure you get enough sleep and establish a consistent sleep routine. Quality sleep plays a crucial role in promoting a sense of calm and overall well-being. Create a soothing bedtime routine, optimize your sleep environment, and practice relaxation techniques before sleep.

9. Seek support: Reach out to a trusted friend, family member, or therapist when you need support. Sharing your thoughts and feelings with someone who can provide a listening ear and understanding can help alleviate stress and restore calmness.

Remember that cultivating a sense of calm is a practice that requires patience and consistency. Incorporate these strategies into your daily routine, and over time, you can develop a greater ability to find calmness amidst the challenges of life." (Source: ChatGPT 2023)

09 February 2023

Dealing with FOMO in College

How to Deal with FOMO in College [+Turn It into JOMO]

How to Deal with FOMO in College [+Turn It into JOMO]

Partying with your friends, checking out an art gallery, watching the latest episode of a new show —what do these things have in common? They are activities you probably don’t want to miss out on.

If thinking about not doing these things makes you uncomfortable, you may be experiencing FOMO: the fear of missing out. FOMO can cause significant stress, especially if a person is prone to anxiety or depression.

Want to know how to deal with it? You’re in luck!

In this article, custom-writing experts will explain how to understand if you have FOMO and teach you how to get rid of it. (Source: Custom-Writing.org)

Contents
  •  What Is FOMO?
  •  Why Does FOMO Happen?
  •  How to Recognize It
  •  How to Deal with It
  •  Turn FOMO into JOMO
  •  Is FOMO Really That Bad?
  •  References

Learn more about  '
How to Deal with FOMO in College' on the Custom-Writing.org Website.

Source / Reference: Custom-Writing.org

Published with permission from Custom-Writing.org

01 February 2023

Psychology and Psychopathology Resources

Personality / Psychopathology Awareness, Information and Research

Psychology and Psychopathology Resources

We are what we are because we have been what we have been, and what is needed for solving the problems of human life and motives is not moral estimates but more knowledge.”– Sigmund Freud

Psychology | Psychopathology Articles, Books and Resources

A listing of Psychology and Psychopathology books and online resources that I have read, studied, facilitated and / or researched for the past 30 years.

With specific reference to emotional dysregulation, distorted self-image, impulsivity and pathological behaviour as DSM-5 criteria for specific (and possible comorbidity of) Cluster B personality disorders such as Antisocial Personality Disorder (APSD), Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), Histrionic Personality Disorder (HPD) and Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD).

Psychology and Psychopathology
"Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and behavior, encompassing various subfields such as cognitive psychology, social psychology, developmental psychology, and clinical psychology. It seeks to understand how individuals perceive, think, and interact with the world around them, as well as how psychological processes contribute to mental and behavioral functioning.

Psychopathology, on the other hand, refers to the study of mental disorders or abnormal psychological processes. It focuses on understanding and diagnosing psychological disorders, exploring their causes, symptoms, and treatment approaches. Psychopathology aims to identify the underlying factors that contribute to the development and maintenance of mental health conditions and to find effective interventions to alleviate distress and promote well-being.

The field of psychopathology examines a wide range of mental disorders, including anxiety disorders, mood disorders (such as depression and bipolar disorder), personality disorders, psychotic disorders (such as schizophrenia), eating disorders, substance use disorders, and more. It involves studying the psychological, biological, and social factors that influence the onset, course, and outcome of these disorders.

Psychopathology research often involves various methodologies, including clinical interviews, psychological assessments, observational studies, and neurobiological investigations. These approaches help psychologists and researchers better understand the nature of mental disorders, identify risk factors, and develop evidence-based treatments.

In clinical practice, psychologists and mental health professionals use their knowledge of psychopathology to assess, diagnose, and treat individuals experiencing psychological difficulties. They employ various therapeutic modalities, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), psychoanalysis, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and others, to address the specific needs of their clients and support their mental health recovery.

It is important to note that psychopathology does not aim to stigmatize or label individuals with mental disorders. Instead, it seeks to provide a framework for understanding and classifying psychological conditions, facilitating effective treatment planning and research. Additionally, the field recognizes the importance of considering individual differences, cultural factors, and the unique experiences of each person when assessing and treating mental health concerns.

Overall, psychology and psychopathology play significant roles in advancing our understanding of the human mind, promoting mental well-being, and helping individuals navigate the challenges associated with mental disorders. Through research, clinical practice, and public education, these fields contribute to the development of evidence-based interventions and the reduction of mental health stigma." (Source: ChatGPT 2023)

Psychology and Psychopathology Articles

An Overview of Psychopathology Article

Aggression and Violent Behaviour Article

Cognitive Dissonance More

Cluster A Personality Disorders Article

Cluster B Personality Disorders Article

Cluster C Personality Disorders Article

DSM-5-TR™ Manual will be available from March 2022 Article

DSM Definition: Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Article

DSM-5-TR™ Manual will be available from March 2022 Article

Desk Reference to the Diagnostic Criteria from DSM-5
American Psychiatric Association (APA)

Dimensional models of personality disorders: Challenges and opportunities NIH

How Depression Is Diagnosed Article

Mental Health Online Checklists and Tests Article

Personality Disorders: The Controllers, Abusers, Manipulators, and Users in Relationships

Seasonal Affective Disorder SAD : Depression Related to Seasonal Changes More

The Continuum between Normal and Pathological in Psychopathology Article

The Key Principles of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy CBT Article

What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy? Article

Working with Students with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders A Guide for K-12 Teachers and Service Providers PDF Download Vernon Press


Psychology and Psychopathology Books

A Beautiful Mind : A Biography of John Forbes Nash, Jr.
Sylvia Nasar

Abnormal Psychology
Ronald J Comer

Abnormal Psychology: An Integrative Approach
David H. Barlow  / V. Mark Durand

Abnormal Psychology in a Changing World
Jeffrey S. Nevid / Spencer A. / Rathus Beverly Greene

Applied Psychology In Human Resource Management Fifth Edition
Wayne F. Cascio

A Short Textbook of Psychiatry, 7th Edition
Niraj Ahuja

Clinical Psychopathology : Signs and Symptoms in Psychiatry
Patricia Casey / Brendan Kelly

Cognitive Psychology : Connecting Mind, Research, and Everyday Experience
E. Bruce Goldstein

Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) : From Surviving to Thriving
Pete Walker

Dangerous Personalities : An FBI Agent Shows You how to Identify and Protect Yourself from Harmful People Joe Navarro, MA, FBI Special Agent (Ret.)

Descriptive Psychopathology : The Signs and Symptoms of Behavioral Disorders
Michael Alan Taylor, MD / Nutan Atre Vaidya, MD

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition DSM-5™
American Psychiatric Association (Officers 2012 - 2013)

DSM-5 Guidebook: The Essential Companion to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
Disorders Fifth Edition DSM-5™ 
Donald W. Black, M.D. Jon E. Grant, M.D., M.P.H., J.D

Fatal Flaws : Navigating Destructive Relationships With People With Disorders of
Personality and Character
 Stuart C. Yudofsky, M.D.

Gut and Psychology Syndrome: Natural Treatment for Autism, ADD/ADHD, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Depression, Schizophrenia Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride MD, MMedSci (neurology), MMedSci (nutrition)

Hallucinations in Psychoses and Affective Disorders: A Clinical and Biological Approach
Paolo Brambilla / Massimo Carlo Mauri / Alfredo Carlo Altamura

Handbook of Diagnosis and Treatment of DSM-5 Personality Disorders Assessment, Case Conceptualization, and Treatment Third Edition Len Sperry, MD, PhD

Handbook of Personality and Psychopathology
Stephen Strack Ph.D.

Handbook of Psychopathy (2nd Ed)
Christopher J. Patrick

Industrial / Organizational Psychology : An Applied Approach (Six Edition)
Michael G. Aamodt  PH.D

Journal of Psychopathology
Alessandro Rossi (Ed)
 
Karl Jaspers’ Philosophy and Psychopathology
Thomas Fuchs • Thiemo Breyer • Christoph Mundt (Editors)

Mad, Bad, and Sad: Women and the Mind Doctors
Lisa Appignanesi

Making Sense of People : Decoding the Mysteries of Personality
Samuel Barondes

Moral Psychology, Volume 1: The Evolution of Morality: Adaptations and Innateness
Walter Sinnott-Armstrong (Ed)

Moral Psychology, Volume 2: The Cognitive Science of Morality: Intuition and Diversity
Walter Sinnott-Armstrong (Ed)

Moral Psychology, Volume 3: The Neuroscience of Morality: Emotion, Brain Disorders, and Development Walter Sinnott-Armstrong (Ed)

New Directions in Child Abuse and Neglect Research
National Research Council / Anne Petersen / Joshua Joseph / Monica Feit

Neuroscience for Psychologists and Other Mental Health Professionals: Promoting Well-Being and Treating Mental Illness Jill Littrell

Otto Kernberg’s Object Relations Theory : A Metapsychological Critique
John C Christopher / Mark H. Bickhard / Gregory S. Lambeth

Personality Disordered Patients : Treatable and Untreatable
Michael H. Stone, M.D.

Psychology : A Self-Teaching Guide
Frank J. Bruno

Psychology : Fourth Edition
Carole Wade & Carol Tavris

Psychopathy : an Introduction to Biological Findings and their Implications
Andrea L. Glenn / Adrian Raine

Psychology of Relationships
Emma Cuyler / Michael Ackhart

Psychopathology: Foundations for a Contemporary Understanding
James E. Maddux / Barbara A. Winstead (eds.)

Psychopathic Personality Traits and Cortisol Response to Stress: The Role of Sex and Type of Stressor Megan M. O’Leary (Master of Science Thesis)

Psychosis, Dissociation, and Trauma: Evolving Perspectives on Severe Psychopathology
Dorahy / Martin J. / Moskowitz & Andrew / Schäfer / Ingo

Psychopathology in Women Incorporating Gender Perspective into Descriptive Psychopathology
Margarita Sáenz-Herrero (Ed)

Psychic Retreats: Pathological Organizations in Psychotic, Neurotic and Borderline Patients
John Steiner

Racetalk : Hiding In Plain Sight
Kristen Myers

Social Psychology : International Edition
Elliot Aronson Timothy D. Wilson Robin M. Akert

Split Self / Split Object : Understanding and Treating Borderline (BPD), Narcissistic (NPD), and Schizoid Disorders Philip Manfield

The Dark Side of Personality: Science and Practice in Social, Personality, and Clinical Psychology Science and Practice in Social, Personality, and Clinical Psychology
Virgil Zeigler-Hill and David K. Marcus

The Disordered Mind: An Introduction to Philosophy of Mind and Mental Illness
George Graham

The Emotionally Abused and Neglected Child: Identification, Assessment and Intervention: A Practice Handbook Dorota Iwaniec

The Clinical Paradigms of Melanie Klein and Donald Winnicott
Jan Abram / R. D. Hinshelwood

The Dark Side of Personality - Science and Practice in Social, Personality, and Clinical Psychology Edited by Virgil Zeigler-Hill and David K. Marcus

The Philosophy of Psychology
George Botterill / Peter Carruthers

The Psychology of Love and Hate in Intimate Relationships
Katherine Aumer