Narcissistic abuse syndrome: signs of narcissistic abuse and healing
When individuals experience narcissistic abuse, the psychological trauma often goes far beyond what meets the eye. Narcissistic abuse syndrome represents a complex form of emotional abuse that can devastate victims’ mental health and sense of self. Unlike physical violence, this manipulative behavior operates through subtle psychological tactics that can leave lasting scars on those who […]
Mental Health and Addiction
Most people are aware that addictions lead to mental health problems but not everyone is aware that mental health problems are often implicated in the onset and perpetuation of addictions. Attempts to regulate through self-medication When beset with debilitating anxiety or depression, or perhaps during an acute episode of a bipolar disorder, or if troubled […]
Stress – Good and Bad
We tend to think of stress solely as something harmful. We commonly speak of being “under stress”, “stressed out” and “suffering from” stress. At certain levels stress can most certainly be a problem but we need to remember that stress is essential to life. Confusion has arisen partly because we use the same word when referring to […]
Eating Disorders
We are dependent on food for survival. However, our relationship with food may go well beyond simple nutrition and the alleviation of hunger. It can be used to soothe, comfort or reward, provide consolation or uplift the spirits. In this respect food can act in ways similar to the mood-altering substances common to addiction. Neurotransmitters in the brain […]
Teenage Depression
Teenage or adolescent years are ones of transition from childhood to adulthood. All sorts of changes occur over several years, including at hormonal, neurological, psychological and social levels. As is more generally true, change can prove stressful. For teenagers, development involves a degree of emotional sensitivity that makes them vulnerable to a variety of experiences […]
The Co-dependent Relationship
All addictions involve a relationship; one that holds out the promise of changing the way a person feels. This promise is temporarily fulfilled and reinforced by the mood-altering experience. Thus arises the urge to repeat it. Two complementary aims Addictive relationships may involve alcohol, drugs, gambling, pornography or other potentially mood-altering behaviours but relationships with other people can fit […]
Depression
Many people suffer from depression. However, not everyone experiences the condition in the same way. Although more people are now prepared to admit to suffering from depression, many others still conceal their state of mind for fear of being stigmatised. This serves to isolate them; itself a common and risky symptom of depression. The onset of […]
Exhaustion
Exhaustion is what people experience when they not only run out of mental and physical energy but also any reserves they thought might have been available to them in such circumstances. They find they no longer have the capacity they took for granted. Phrases such as “nothing left in the tank” and “running on empty” […]
Binge Eating Disorder
At the core of a Binge Eating Disorder is a vicious circle. Uncomfortable psychological states lead to a person seeking relief through binge eating which results in uncomfortable psychological states, to which binge eating is the now reflexive response. The emotional impact After a bingeing episode, people with Binge Eating Disorder often feel depressed, guilty, […]