Sayedra Psychology Blog & : Today in Psychology https://psikoloji.sayedrablog.net/rss/category/current-developments-in-psychology Sayedra Psychology Blog & : Today in Psychology en Copyright 2022 Sayedra Software & All Rights Reserved. AI in Therapy https://psikoloji.sayedrablog.net/ai-in-therapy https://psikoloji.sayedrablog.net/ai-in-therapy Therapy has historically relied on face-to-face interactions between clients and therapists. While traditional therapy remains valuable, it is often limited by factors such as accessibility, affordability, and therapist availability. AI offers solutions to these challenges by providing innovative tools and platforms that extend the reach of mental health services.

One of the earliest manifestations of AI in therapy was in the form of chatbots designed to simulate conversations with human therapists. These chatbots, powered by NLP algorithms, can engage in dialogue with users, offer support, and provide psychoeducation. For example, Woebot, developed by psychologists and AI researchers, delivers cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques through a conversational interface. Studies have shown that individuals interacting with Woebot experience reductions in symptoms of depression and anxiety, highlighting the potential of AI-driven interventions.

Moreover, AI enables the analysis of vast amounts of data to identify patterns and insights relevant to mental health. Through data mining techniques, AI algorithms can detect correlations between various factors and mental health outcomes, facilitating early intervention and personalized treatment approaches. For instance, predictive analytics models can predict the risk of suicide attempts based on social media posts and other online activities, enabling targeted interventions.

Silva (2023) states that Based on ten studies, a 2022 review of the effectiveness of AI in therapy concluded that using AI could greatly improve psychotherapy and lessen clinical mental health symptoms. In most studies, AI therapy was well received in terms of engagement, satisfaction, and retention rates. While more research is required, it's likely that AI could have a positive impact on expanding access to mental health care, according to a 2023 article examining AI as a psychotherapy tool. According to research from 2019 and 2020 cited in the review, AI could aid in diagnosis by analyzing behavioral patterns and providing comprehensive data access. Additionally, chatbots could imitate practitioner questions and then provide recommendations based on user input. The benefits of AI in therapy are:

Accessibility: AI-driven therapy platforms can be accessed remotely through smartphones or computers, overcoming geographical barriers, and reducing stigma associated with seeking mental health support.

Personalization: AI algorithms can tailor interventions to individual needs and preferences by analyzing user data and adjusting treatment protocols accordingly. This personalized approach enhances engagement and effectiveness.

Scalability: AI-powered therapy platforms can accommodate a large number of users simultaneously, making mental health services more scalable and cost-effective.

Early Intervention: By analyzing behavioral patterns and digital footprints, AI can detect early signs of mental health issues and provide timely interventions, potentially preventing crises or worsening symptoms.

Continuity of Care: AI-driven therapy platforms can offer continuous support and monitoring, bridging the gap between in-person therapy sessions and empowering individuals to manage their mental health autonomously.

According to Sutton (2024), even though there are considerable benefits to embracing AI in therapy, there are still challenges and problems to using tools such as ChatGPT for therapy and AI tools for therapists. The challenges are mentioned below:

  • Lack of empathy
  • Complexity of human psychology
  • Loss of patient autonomy
  • Unknown long-term effects
  • Ethical privacy concerns
  • Loss of personal touch

AI holds tremendous promise for revolutionizing mental health care by making therapy more accessible, personalized, and effective. From chatbots delivering CBT interventions to predictive analytics models identifying early signs of mental health issues, AI-driven platforms offer innovative solutions to longstanding challenges in therapy. However, responsible implementation requires addressing ethical considerations such as privacy, bias, and human oversight. By leveraging the strengths of AI while preserving the human touch in therapy, we can harness technology's transformative potential to improve mental health outcomes for individuals worldwide.

 

 

References

Silva, L. (2023, December 6). 4 AI therapy Options reviewed: Do they work? Forbes Health. https://www.forbes.com/health/mind/ai-therapy/

Sutton, J., PhD. (2024, March 4). Revolutionizing AI therapy: The Impact on Mental Health care. PositivePsychology.com. https://positivepsychology.com/ai-therapy/#hero-single

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Tue, 12 Mar 2024 18:06:26 +0300 Ela Gönder
Internet Addiction https://psikoloji.sayedrablog.net/internet-addiction https://psikoloji.sayedrablog.net/internet-addiction

The Symptoms of Internet Addiction

1. Clarity: Internet becomes the central to their lives in people who consult with internet addiction complaints.

2. Tolerance: The time of internet usage increases steadily since it becomes insufficient over time. It is the criterion that distinguishes internet addiction from excessive internet usage.

3. Change of Mood: Depression is about overcoming the negative emotions such as feeling worthless, running away the stress of life, aiming at surge of adrenaline.

4. Loss of Control: It is the loss of control over their behavior due to addiction, and therefore it has negative consequences for social life.

5. Deprivation: Interruption of internet usage can cause the deprivation symptoms. The person who needs the internet to secrete dopamine can experience various symptoms during the abstinence process, from depressive mood to tremors, sweating, digestive system problems, just like with substance abuse.

A study comparing extreme online gaming with the use of amphetamines found that they act in parallel in terms of neurochemical.

6. Denial and Secretion: People are in tendency to secrete their internet usage, and they often do not accept that they can't cope with their addictions.

7. Problems and Conflict: The Internet addiction can lead to physical, psychological and interpersonal problems. For example, vitamin deficiency, illnesses caused by inadequate self-care, depressed mood, weakened social connections.

8. Relapse: The relapse that is seen in people who consult with internet addiction complaints should not have the opinion that it is a failure, in fact, it is a deviation. The relapse, too, is the part of recovery.

The Risk Factors of Internet Addiction

1. Age: When children are exposed to the internet at a very early age, it increases the likelihood of developing an addiction in later ages. Similarly, adolescents who have not yet completed identity-building are also learning to build their identity via the Internet and to use the Internet to learn how to govern their emotions. Although adults use it more to escape the difficult issues of everyday life, they have more to lose than other age groups (work, marriage, etc.).

2. Gender: The internet addiction is more common when it comes to men. It is put forward that the reason is that they do not pay attention to social activities such as talking as much as women do. The fact that men who are unable to meet their needs in society, such as being strong, are able to do this in online games also increases their likelihood of addiction.

In the same way, female internet addicts search online for things they can't get in real life. Women have more possibility to use internet as a virtual communication because they care about social activities more than men.

3. Profile: People who have internet addiction are often found to be socially nourished people who are overly lonely.

Also, people who have internet addiction may lose their self-esteem by thinking "It's my fault because I can't cope with my behavior” even though they are aware of their illnesses.

Situational risk factors such as being exploited, not being able to cope with the stresses of everyday life, studentship, and the structural characteristics of the Internet play a role in developing addiction among vulnerable, addictive people.

Internet Addiction Case Example

This quote shows how a parent's own internet occupation leads to the same problem in his teenage son:

"I’ve made my whole family addicted.'' I mean, I got these laptops for them. I would have possibility to play more, then. So my wife became addicted to things like the Sims, my son to the X-Box, and my other daughter to Webkinz, and I was feeling full of happiness. Everyone was addicted to their own technological device. I made all of these things. I had five hours to play beforehand. This was my own strategy to create more time. And the unfortunate consequence of this was that my 13-year-old son became incredibly addicted to Call of Duty. That’s why I had to keep him away. So I've reduced playing time from an hour a day to an hour on weekends. But it didn't work because he was going to be interested to play all week for three hours on the weekend. He was going to watch the YouTube videos of Call of Duty, and he was going to search for how its math works. He was obsessed with it. Later, I was aware of his obsession when he woke up at 4 am prior to his football tournament. This kid sleeps until it is 10 o’clock. You can not move him away.

You can not wake him up. He sleeps like a rock. But he was getting out of bed at 4 am if it is the time of playing. I said that: ''What are you doing ? You have a football tournament on the weekend!'' And here comes an answer: ‘’Dad, I use my three-hour time well because I can not play at this weekend!’’ This story refers to an addicted person, isn’t it? He was in need of using three-hours time because he would not able to play due to his football tournament. He was worn out now. Furthermore, he was run out of all his dopamine. So, he was unable to play football good enough. He was getting fat and was unable to have a good performance in the football. So, his marks fell below 3.0. ‘’

The Treatment of Internet Addiction

Although there is insufficient literature research on the treatment of Internet addiction, some studies have investigated the relationship between internet addiction and variables such as time spent online, depression, anxiety, adaptation to treatment, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and psychopharmacology. Studies have shown that there is no significant difference between psychological and pharmacological therapies, and there is also no meaningful difference between CBT and other psychological interventions. It is shown that psychopharmacology and CBT combination have the most powerful effect.

Reference

Kuss DJ, Griffiths MD. (2020). Psikoterapide internet bağımlılığı. (Çev. A. Koruyucu). Ayrıntı Yayınevi. (Orijinal yayın tarihi 2015).

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Sun, 10 Mar 2024 13:55:39 +0300 Zeynep
THREE FOUNDATIONS OF LOVE: MEASURES OF HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP https://psikoloji.sayedrablog.net/love-healthy-relationship-perfect-flawless-dumb-intimacy-passion-commitment-lovelessness-infatuation-crush-empty-friendship-robertstrenberg-lovetriangle https://psikoloji.sayedrablog.net/love-healthy-relationship-perfect-flawless-dumb-intimacy-passion-commitment-lovelessness-infatuation-crush-empty-friendship-robertstrenberg-lovetriangle Love is one of the most complex emotional feelings. It is a state in which a person experiences many emotions such as passion, pain, excitement, happiness, sadness in a short time. Robert Sternberg has developed criteria for love with the Love Triangle Theory. According to Robert Strenberg's Love Triangle, healthy love has three basic components: Intimacy, passion, commitment. Different types of love are formed by the combination of these criteria. Two of the three components are dominant in relationships. Love with all three components is called perfect love, but it is rare.

Intimacy; includes emotional sharing, moral support, trust and sincerity in the relationship. Effective communication and empathy form the basis of the relationship. This tends to strengthen the bond between individuals.

Passion; includes romance, physical attraction, sexuality and enthusiasm in the relationship. This brings excitement and intensity to the relationship. Passion fuels the romantic relationship and brings intimacy between partners.

Commitment; is about loyalty, responsibility, trust and the desire to maintain the relationship. It includes the duration of loving the person and maintaining it. The maintenance of this commitment depends on the level of satisfaction obtained from the relationship.

Love depends on the strength of these three and their interactions. According to Sternberg, it is possible for the relationship to be perfect if the elements exist in a balanced way in the relationship. However, the components of the people in the relationship may be different. While one person may have commitment, the other may have passion. Balancing and strengthening commitment, passion and intimacy in relationships forms the basis of a healthy and satisfied relationship. Robert Sternberg's triangular theory of love suggests that the combination of the three components of love in different ways creates eight types of love; lovelessness, liking, infatuation, empty love, romantic love, friendly love, foolish love, perfect love.

Lack of love; there is no commitment, passion and intimacy. There is no love, connection and relationship. May include obligatory relationship. Liking; is a relationship without passion and commitment. Includes friendships and acquaintances.

Infatuation; there is no intimacy and commitment. It contains only passion. It is not a serious  relationship. A crazy love is fed to the other party, it is thought that it cannot be done without it.

Empty love; there is no intimacy and passion. It is seen in arranged marriages and logic marriages. Relationships can start as empty love, there is a possibility of change over time.

Romantic love; there is passion and closeness but no commitment. Physical attraction is  intense, the relationship does not last long. It can be a one-night stand.

Friendly love; there is closeness and commitment but no passion. It can be seen in long-term  relationships. Sincerity is at the forefront.

Foolish love; there is passion and commitment but no intimacy. It can be associated with love  at first sight. Passion may end over time and the relationship may end.

Perfect love; includes all intimacy, passion and commitment. Love is complete, perfect and  healthy. It represents an ideal relationship.

Three-component love is the basis of healthy relationships. The balance of these components  is the bond of a happy, fulfilling and long-term relationship. However, every relationship is different and partners may experience the components differently. Therefore, strengthening and balancing these three components in relationships is important to ensure the sustainability of a happy and healthy relationship.


REFERANCE:

Atak H., Taştan, N. (2012). Romantic relationships and love. Current 
Approaches in Psychiatry, 4(4), 520-546.
Sternberg, R. J. (1997). Construct validation of a triangular love scale. European Journal of 
Social Psychology, 27(3), 313–335.
Sternberg, R. J., Hojjat, M., & Barnes, M. L. (2001). Empirical aspects of a theory of love as 
a story. European Journal of Personality, 15(3), 199–218

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Tue, 05 Mar 2024 22:26:36 +0300 Nur Özel
Digital Narcissism https://psikoloji.sayedrablog.net/digital-narcissism https://psikoloji.sayedrablog.net/digital-narcissism The Deciency Between Narcissism and Facebook, TwitterUsage

Social media provides an opportunity for narcissists torecreate themselves (self-regulation). Narcissistic people whoact with the motivation of being liked, accepted and have lessempathy; who are less likely to be in long-term, closerelationships, are more inclined to project themselves as someone they are not on social media platforms to increasetheir likeability. Facebook and Twitter There is a research on whether narcissistic behavior varies according to age betweenFacebook and Twitter. Dec. According to this study, narcissistic college students use Twitter more to reflect theirnarcissistic motives, while narcissistic adults use Facebook more. In addition, the connection of time spent on the siteswith age and narcissism has also been established. Althoughnarcissistic university students prefer Twitter more to reflecttheir narcissistic motives, they spend more time on Facebook than narcissistic adults. To reflect their own narcissisticmotives, they use themselves to collect information rather thanshare it. There is no Decoupling between narcissism and time spent on Twitter. Because, as another study suggests, Twittercan also be used only for information collection purposes.

Facebook and Twitter Decouple Another reason for thedifference between Facebook and Twitter is that peoplecommunicate more with their friends on Facebook, whilepeople on Twitter can gain a more general audience that theydon't know as followers. Therefore, in this study, it was foundthat Twitter meets the popularity motive of narcissism more. As the popularity of the narcissistic person on the social mediaplatform increases, the state of being positive also increases, but the decline in popularity has the opposite effect. Since an increase in popularity will increase the narcissistic person'ssense of social acceptance, the person's satisfaction level willalso increase due to this. Since a decrease in popularity willthreaten the narcissistic person's ego with social rejection, theperson feels in danger and the negative mood state increases.

 

The Decoupling Between Narcissism and Instagram Use

It is observed that people who outweigh narcissisticcharacteristics are more active on social media platformscompared to others. Instagram, on the other hand, is the mostwidely used social media platform today, which makes it theeasiest to exhibit a person's self among these platformsthrough photos and videos.Dec. A study conducted by JangHo Moon et al. found that narcissistic people share their ownphotos on Instagram more, change their profile photos moreoften, and pay more attention to attractiveness in these photos. Although it was found in this study that narcissism waspositively related to the time spent on Instagram and thefrequency of changing profile photos, no valid relationshipwas found between the number of followers, the number of followers and the frequency of sharing photos. Dec.

Another study conducted by Patrick Sheldon found that one of the reasons why narcissistic people like or comment on photosof friends may be the reason for increasing their visibility andtherefore popularity by the people who own the photo.

 

The Connection of Social Media Usage Time withNarcissism

Narcissistic people spend more time on social media toolsthan people who are less narcissistic and use them more toshow themselves and prove themselves. It is also a subject of research whether social media increases the narcissism of a person who was not a narcissist before using social media.

 

Narcissism and the Neurological Dimension of SocialMedia Use

If the effect of social media on narcissistic attitudes is considered from a neurological point of view, the prefrontalcortex perceives feedback such as likes, comments as compliments, compliments, rewards. Therefore, the reward-seeking movement takes place. Some hormones are alsosecreted according to the nature of the feedback. For example, dopamine is secreted in positive feedback, while GABA, which also plays a role in anxiety, is secreted in negativefeedback. Negative feedback threatens the ego of thenarcissistic individual and creates a fear of social rejection.

 

REFERENCES:

Buffardi LE, Campbell WK. Narcissism and socialnetworking web sites. Personality and Social PsychologyBulletin Vol. 34 No. 10, October 2008 1303-1314.

 

Jabeen F, Gerritsen C, Treur J. Narcissism and fame: a complex network model for the adaptive interaction of digitalnarcissism and online popularity. Network Science (2020) 5:84.

 

James C, Davis K, Charmaraman L, Konrath S, Slovak P, Weinstein E, Yarosh L. Digital life and youth well-being, social connectedness, empathy, and narcissism. PediatricsVolume 140, number S2, November 2017:e20161758.

 

Moon JH, Lee E, Lee JA, Choi TR, Sung Y. The role of narcissism in self-promotion on instagram. Elsevier, Personality and Individual Differences 101 (2016) 22–25.

 

Panek ET, Nardis Y, Konrath S. Mirror or Megaphone?: How relationships between narcissism and social networking site use differ on Facebook and Twitter. Elsevier, Computers in Human Behavior 29 (2013) 2004–2012.

 

Sheldon P. (2015). In Self-monitoring and narcissism aspredictors of sharing Facebook photographs. Presented at thesouthern states communication association conference, Tampa, FL.

 

Sheldon P, Bryant K. Instagram: motives for its use andrelationship to narcissism and contextual age. Elsevier, Computers in Human Behavior 58 (2016) 89e97.

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Fri, 23 Feb 2024 15:15:15 +0300 Rana Gülşen Pekel
INTERGENERATIONAL TRAUMA TRANSFER https://psikoloji.sayedrablog.net/intergenerational-trauma-transfer https://psikoloji.sayedrablog.net/intergenerational-trauma-transfer "It didn't start with you... but it can end with you.’’

-Mark Wolynn, It Didn't Start with You.

What is Trauma?

Traumatic experiences are the experiences that an individual encounters in the natural course of life and that create psychological difficulties and leave a mark on the individual by disabling the individual's coping strategies. These experiences can cause mental symptoms such as depression, anxiety and physical symptoms such as palpitations and tremors in the individual. Depending on the destructiveness of the traumatic experience and the extent to which it affects the individual, it can also be passed on to subsequent generations. There are also psychological and biological approaches to this transfer of trauma.

Transmission of Trauma from Generation to Generation

Intergenerational trauma transfer covers the transfer of individual and social traumas to subsequent generations physically and spiritually. Although social traumas affect a wider audience, they can be more easily investigated. The first studies on the intergenerational transmission of trauma began with studies on the children of victims of genocide and war. Dec. The study data on the transmission of individual traumas are more limited than the data of social trauma studies. While studies have been able to provide information about how individuals who have experienced social traumas such as genocide can transmit this trauma to their children and even grandchildren and how it happened, information about how individual traumas such as harassment can be transmitted to subsequent generations is quite limited.

Transmission of Trauma Through Genes

Although biological approaches are still being discussed, the data we have have shown that trauma can also be transmitted through genes. These traumas and their effects can also be epigenetically inherited to future generations. The concept of epigenetic change describes the activation of genes that are not normally active as a result of various conditions. From this point of view, trauma transmitted to a child through genes can be activated as a result of the environment in which he grew up and the conditions to which he was exposed. Some studies show that the children of parents who are exposed to intense stress during pregnancy and have post-traumatic stress disorder are also born more prone to stress than other children. As a result, we can understand that the likelihood of developing trauma is also increasing.

In a study conducted on people who were tortured during World War II, were in concentration camps or witnessed torture, a significant difference was observed between the genes of the children of genocide survivors and the genes of the children of people who had never been exposed to trauma. Dec. According to the researchers, this genetic change occurred due to the severe trauma experienced by the parents.

In addition, recent research has shown that coping mechanisms are also transmitted to generations through genes. In individuals whose family has experienced famine, earthquake, flood or war, children's stress and coping strategies are transferred. It seems that the children of parents who cope with their traumas in a healthy way also have a higher capacity to cope with stress and process the situation when faced with any situation.

Transferring Trauma through Social Learning

People who have experienced trauma develop some reactions and coping strategies to situations and individuals as a result of their experiences. They also reflect these reactions and strategies they develop when they become parents to the relationships they establish with their children and their approaches to them. It is observed that children who follow the example of their parents, identify with them and live within the rules set by them imitate their behavioral patterns as a result of this situation; internalize their reactions and strategies. It is observed that children of parents with traumatic experiences develop a type of attachment called traumatic attachment. Children who grow up with overly strict, perfectionist attitudes that parents develop as a result of negative experiences may also internalize these attitudes or perform the opposite avoidance. For example, the mother's fear of the dark eventually becomes the child's fear as a result of observing the mother and the mother's attitudes. Thus, she internalizes the trauma of the mother. In addition to all these, clearly and clearly transferring the trauma experienced by the family to the child without filtering can also reveal trauma in the child.

If we take it in general, the factors affecting the transmission of trauma are as follows:

• The way parents raise their children

* The relationship established Decoupled between parent and child

• The way parents process trauma to children

• How children will experience the transmitted trauma

If you want to get more detailed information about this topic, I recommend reading the book ‘It Didn't Start with You’ written by Mark Wolly.

REFERENCES

Çelik, C. (2022, Agustos 22). Kuşaklar Arası Travma Aktarımı. Cemil Çelik: https://www.cemilcelik.com.tr/kusaklar-arasi-travma-aktarimi/ adresinden alındı

Karatay, G. (2020). Tarihsel/Toplumsal Travmalar ve Kuşaklararası Aktarımı Biçimleri Üzerine. Süreli Tıp Eğitimi Dergisi,29, 373-379. doi: 10.17942/sted.767797

Mona Psikoloji. (2020, Kasım 10). Travmanın Kuşaklararası Aktarımı. Mona Psikoloji: https://www.monapsikoloji.com/travmanin-kusaklararasi-aktarimi/ 

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Sun, 18 Feb 2024 21:07:19 +0300 Rana Gülşen Pekel
SOCIAL MEDIA AND BODY PERCEPTION https://psikoloji.sayedrablog.net/social-media-and-body-perception https://psikoloji.sayedrablog.net/social-media-and-body-perception Body perception is a concept that reflects the individual's feelings and thoughts about his or her own body. In other words, what a person sees when he/she looks in the mirror and the satisfaction he/she feels with what he/she sees are the individual's body perception. We all look in the mirror and examine ourselves from the moment we wake up in the morning. Sometimes we feel better when we look in the mirror, and sometimes we feel bad. The satisfaction we feel about ourselves may change depending on our mood and life that day. What is important here is how we feel about our body in the long term and how strong these feelings are. For example, we can understand that the body perceptions of individuals who say sentences such as "I feel so ugly, I hate the body I see when I look in the mirror" are severely negative. Our perceptions about our bodies are formed depending on the person's own beauty and value judgments. However, with the increasing prevalence of social media, perceptions of beauty are now stereotyped and a uniform perception of beauty is formed as a result of discussions about what the ideal woman/man should be like, and individuals feel obliged to comply with these perceptions created by social media.

So how can social media affect body perceptions so much?

 Nowadays, social media is a media tool that everyone from 7 to 70 can access and share every moment of their life by opening the doors of their identity and life to others. In addition to easy access to information and current events in this media, we are also exposed to a lot of content we do not want. On these platforms, individuals share themselves, their thoughts and some moments of their lives with others, while also having the opportunity to follow the lives of others. For this reason, the content shared with the desire to be noticed, attracted attention and liked by others is increasing day by day. In addition, competition and comparing oneself with others due to the desire to be better than the other's sharing, body, and to be liked more are becoming extremely common. With the widespread use and sharing of social media, it reaches larger audiences and influences them day by day.

The best looking photos, the most beautiful views and the most beautiful places are shared on social media. They try to portray a beautiful and perfect image in people's eyes, aiming to attract attention and be liked. However, there are moments when we feel unhappy and bad, and there are photos that we don't like about ourselves, but we do not share them with others, and we are portrayed as if we are perfect individuals. Individuals who have many followers and are followed by the masses are taken as examples, and people want to be like them. It is tried to be the ideal that is accepted in social media and society. As a result of all this, individuals begin to feel inadequate and worthless. To cope with this feeling, they use filters, undergo plastic surgery, eat nothing and try to lose weight in order to have the ideal body. Additionally, in this virtual world, individuals can easily criticize and bully others from behind their phones. Therefore, the individual strives to make himself or herself accepted by others in this virtual world and society. As a result of this effort, it is inevitable that individuals will experience psychological problems such as anxiety, depression, substance addiction, etc. due to lack of self-confidence as a result of not reaching the desired ideality and popularity.

How to Develop Positive Body Perception?

  •  First of all, it should not be forgotten that no one is perfect and what is shared on social media are only the good aspects of life. If there are still accounts that make you feel uncomfortable and inadequate, it would be much healthier for you to unfollow these accounts.
  •  You should evaluate yourself with all your positive and negative aspects by making detailed evaluations about how correct it is to stereotype bodies and people, what the ideal is for you, and whether you do not have to conform to the perceptions of society.
  •  You should consider that there is no ideal beauty, that every person has genuine and unique aspects, and that the concept of beauty is relative, and think about whether your appearance is what makes you who you are, what brought you to where you are today.
  •  If you cannot maintain a balance between your positive and negative thoughts about yourself and are experiencing this difficulty in your life, you may consider getting support from an expert.
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Thu, 04 Jan 2024 18:35:18 +0300 Ebrar Koku
SOCIAL ANXIETY DISORDER https://psikoloji.sayedrablog.net/social-anxiety-disorder https://psikoloji.sayedrablog.net/social-anxiety-disorder

Social phobia is a disorder in which individuals feel intense anxiety and concern about being judged, criticized, and embarrassed by others in social environments. This state of anxiety and worry creates physical symptoms such as tremors, sweating and redness in the body and voice that can be observed by others in individuals. The individual enters an even more complex situation by worrying about the physical symptoms created by anxiety. Thinking that people will see him as ridiculous, boring, weak, etc. they form negative judgments about themselves. In social situations, all their attention is on themselves, they think about how they look in the eyes of others. They avoid social environments and withdraw from them in order not to be in them, not to worry and not to create situations where they can be judged. This situation causes them to be seen as "shy, timid" by others. All these cause people with social anxiety to limit their lives. Symptoms of social phobia such as meeting others, eating out, talking in public, etc. are often exposed. The main symptoms of social phobia are:

·         Palpitation

·         Shortness of breath

·         Dry Mouth

·         Sweating

·         Trembling

·         Digestive problems

·         Muscle pains

There are three main subtypes of social phobia:

1.  Specific Type: It is revealed in specific and special cases.

2.  Common Type: This type is mentioned in most social environments and in cases of distress.

3.  Performance Anxiety: It occurs when the person performs and therefore is the center of attention. (going on stage, mass meals, etc.)

This disorder usually begins in childhood and adolescence. It is much more common in women. Depression, other anxiety disorders and alcohol addiction are very common in individuals with this disorder.

What is the Cause of it?

Multiple factors such as psychological, biological, environmental, and even cultural causes underlie social phobia. Anxiety responses and over protectionism challenge individuals to cope with anxiety. Also the roles and responsibilities imposed on us by the attitudes, values and judgments of the culture and society we live in can also cause an increase in the anxiety level of individuals. Childhood traumas and environmental judgments are among the most basic causes of social phobia. From a biological point of view, unbalanced serotonin releases negativities and lesions that occur in the organization are also thought to cause anxiety levels and therefore social anxiety.

How to Combat Social Anxiety?

Psychotherapy and drug treatments are mostly used in social anxiety treatments. It has been discovered in studies that Cognitive behavioral therapy is the most effective among psychotherapy approaches. Systematic exposure to individuals in therapies, relaxation is aimed to teach how to cope with social phobia and anxiety by applying pieces of training, social skills training, etc. For years to reduce anxiety and relieve the person benzodiazepines and tricyclic antidepressants used alone are not accepted today because they cause addiction in individuals. Today, SSRI treatments are generally preferred and accepted in drug treatments.

References

DATEM. Social Anxietyand Social Anxiety Disorder in All Aspects on 27.11.2023

https://datem.com.tr/blog/tum-yonleriyle-sosyal-kaygi-ve-sosyal-anksiyete-bozuklugu/

Türkiye Psychriatry Association. Social Phobia. Dated 27.11.2023 Sosyal Fobi | TÜRKİYE PSİKİYATRİ DERNEĞİ (psikiyatri.org.tr) 
Anonymous Author. Social Phobia. Dated 27.11.2023  Sosyal Fobi ve Sosyal Fobi Nasıl Yenilir - Klinik Psikolog Cem Kaya .
BDPD. Social Anxiety Disorder. Dated 27.11.2023 
https://www.bilisseldavranisci.com/halka-yonelik/12/sosyal-anksiyete-bozuklugu-sosyal-fobi

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Thu, 07 Dec 2023 23:45:46 +0300 Yiğit Mehmet Behrem
WOUNDS AT THE HEART OF SOCIETY: THE PROFOUND EFFECTS OF WAR https://psikoloji.sayedrablog.net/WOUNDS-AT-THE-HEART-OF-SOCIETY-THE-PROFOUND-EFFECTS-OF-WAR https://psikoloji.sayedrablog.net/WOUNDS-AT-THE-HEART-OF-SOCIETY-THE-PROFOUND-EFFECTS-OF-WAR Wars are events that lead to quite complex effects that deeply affect people and societies. When examined from a psychological and sociological point of view, the impact of wars on human behavior, emotional states, and social structures is quite large. In this article, the effects of war on human and social psychology will be examined.

The Social Effects of War

Wars have a direct and profound impact on the social and economic structures of societies. One of the most obvious effects of wars on societies is the losses that occur due to war. These losses carry a great burden emotionally and psychologically. Families suffer through the loss of loved ones, which affects the mood of the community. Wars also have an impact on social hierarchy and power dynamics. The winners and losers of the war can be ranked at the top or bottom of society. This determines the social class differences. For example, people on the losing side of the war may experience a social decline. This can trigger social unrest and even revolutions.

Psychological Effects of War

“The reality of psychological trauma has once again challenged public consciousness with the devastation of World War I. Over eight million people have died in four years in this long war of attrition. By the time the massacre ended, four European empires had been destroyed and many of the creeds on which Western civilization was based had been shattered.” There was also an individual psychological dimension to the destruction experienced especially after World War I. According to the traditional understanding, a soldier, that is, a man, should be proud of the war and should not have any emotional reactions. Through this understanding, discourses were made about soldiers who experienced traumatic neurosis after World War I in the form of “men who show feminine and passive homosexual tendencies”. There are claims that the symptoms of post-war mental Decay were ignored by attributing them to physical causes. This kind of ignored brutality of soldiers who have been exposed to the brutality of war can also be seen as a separate traumatic phenomenon for that period after the war. Fortunately, in the following years, after the post-war processes, steps have been taken to explain the causes of war-related psychopathology.

As a direct result of the war, stress disorders as a result of trauma are common among soldiers and the civilian population. The violence of war, the threat of death, the loss of friends, and other traumatic experiences can seriously affect a person's mental health. Symptoms include recurring nightmares, sudden episodes of fear, a constant feeling of danger, and constant reenactment of traumatic memories in the mind. Traumatic experiences during or after the war can trigger deep depression in people. The devastating effects of war can lead people to lose motivation for life and despair. The constant danger and uncertainty of war can create a constant feeling of anxiety in people. This can lead to anxiety disorders and negatively affect people's daily lives. The intense violence of war can cause soldiers and civilians to experience anger and violence control problems. This can lead to social problems such as domestic violence. As a result of war experiences, people may feel lonely. They may also be separated from their communities, which can lead to social isolation. War can affect children in a particularly traumatic way. The violence experienced during the war can lead to psychological problems such as nightmares, anxiety, and fear in children. It should also be remembered that war can hinder children's educational opportunities. After the war, it can be difficult for people affected to reintegrate into their communities. This can lead to post-traumatic community integration problems. After the war, it can be difficult for people affected to reintegrate into their communities. Post-war community integration problems can prevent people from processing their traumatic experiences and adapting to their societies.

The psychological effects of war can vary depending on the experiences of individuals, personal resilience, and social support systems. Therefore, psychological help and support are important to cope with the psychological effects of war. In addition, preventing war and providing social support after war can help reduce the psychological effects of war.

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Sat, 25 Nov 2023 12:06:25 +0300 Rana Gülşen Pekel
VIRTUAL REALITY METHOD IN PSYCHOLOGY https://psikoloji.sayedrablog.net/virtual-reality-method-in-psychology https://psikoloji.sayedrablog.net/virtual-reality-method-in-psychology What is Virtual Reality?

The concept of virtual reality, being a constantly evolving field, has expanded its scope to include psychology. The fundamental goal of virtual reality is to eliminate barriers between humans and machines and to provide access to challenging environments through a few machines more quickly and economically. Some other areas where virtual reality is used include electronics and mechanical engineering, simulations used in aviation and the military, and fields such as human anatomy.

Contributions of Virtual Reality to the Field of Psychology

One of the most significant factors that enable the adaptation of virtual reality to the field of psychology is the research showing that movements in a virtual environment have almost the same effect on the brain as movements in the real world. The contributions of virtual reality to the field of psychology include providing access to environments that are physically or economically challenging within a therapy room, preserving privacy in issues where the client may feel uncomfortable, and showing whether the client implements the therapist's advice as it should be.

Application Areas of Virtual Reality in Psychology

The primary areas where virtual reality, as part of cognitive-behavioral therapy, is used include:

Phobias 

The exposure method, the most commonly used method in treating various phobias, has become more accessible and controlled through virtual reality. For example, exposing someone with a fear of flying to an airplane during a session would be challenging and costly, but with virtual reality methods (virtual reality glasses, simulations, etc.), the person can be exposed to their fear without leaving the therapy room. Since exposure is under the therapist's control, it will be more effective and can be increased or decreased at the necessary points, ensuring it is done correctly.

Psychoeducation 

For instance, we cannot know whether a client who has received sleep hygiene education applies it correctly at home, but in the therapy room, under the therapist's control, through a virtual reality method, the client who has received the training can be placed in situations where mistakes can be witnessed firsthand.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Another area where virtual reality is used is post-traumatic stress disorder. The goal is to help individuals exposed to trauma that is impossible or unethical to recreate overcome it.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders (OCD)

Virtual reality is also used in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorders. For example, an individual with a cleaning obsession can be placed in a contaminated environment with the virtual reality method in the therapy room, and behaviors performed by the individual without awareness (such as not being able to touch the cloth used to clean again) can be observed.

Limitations of Virtual Reality in Psychology

Although virtual reality is an effective method, it is not yet widely used enough to reach a general conclusion about its application in research. Additionally, research is mostly conducted in the West, so it would be incorrect to generalize the results. Another limitation is the age limit; most studies include participants over 18, and the results cannot be generalized to every age group. However, it is possible to say that all these limitations will be overcome with the increasing application of virtual reality over time.

References:
Paul M, Bullock K, Bailenson J. Virtual reality behavioral activation as an intervention for
major depressive disorder: case report. JMIR Ment Health 2020; vol.7
Kurbanoğlu SS. Sanal gerçeklik: gerçek mi değil mi? Türk Kütüphaneciliği 10,1 (1996),
21-31.
Zheng JM, Chan KW, Gibson I. Virtual reality: a real world review on a somewhat touchy
subject. IEEE Potentials 1998, 20-23.
Foreman N. Virtual reality in psychology. Themes in Science and Technology Education,
Special Issue, Klidarithmos Computer Books, 225-252.
Üzümcü E, Akın B, Nergiz H, İnözü M, Çelikcan U. Anksiyete bozukluklarında sanal
gerçeklik. Psikiyatride Güncel Yaklaşımlar 2018;10(1):99-117.
Derin G, Öztürk E. Yapay zeka psikolojisi ve sanal gerçeklik uygulamaları. Siber Psikoloji. 1.
Baskı. Ankara: Türkiye Klinikleri; 2020:41-7.
Geraets CNW, Wallinius M, Sygel K. Use of virtual reality in psychiatric diagnostic
assessments: a systematic review. Frontiers in Psychiatry 2022, vol.13, Article 828410.

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Sat, 11 Nov 2023 13:19:45 +0300 Teslime Defne Yıldız
TYPES OF LOVE https://psikoloji.sayedrablog.net/types-of-love https://psikoloji.sayedrablog.net/types-of-love The first one is Eros which is also called as romantic love or sexual passion. The name basically came from the Greek god of love and desire, and it represents romantic and passionate love. Emily (2020) indicates that people cannot control themselves and their boundaries. They get attached both physically and emotionally so they cannot get enough when they are with their partner or lover. Eros was, however, regarded by the ancient Greeks as a dangerous form of love because of the way it caused people to lose control for these reasons. In addition to these, it is mentioned that eros love does not necessarily meant to be long-lasting. “This very physical of love might last between six months to two years that depends on the relationship,” explains Cate. How to show eros (FTD, 2020): 

  •      Admiring someone’s physical body.
  •      Physical touch, such as hugging and kissing.
  •      Romantic affection.

The second type of love is Philia that is called as deep friendship or affectionate love. It came from Greek philosopher Plato (thus the idea of platonic friendships). This love can be between friends just as crucial as romantic love. “Philia means love between equals, love related with the mind, and love between people who have shared hard times,” Cate said. Anyone who has experienced philia will know that friendship love can still be powerful. Plato's concept of platonic love stems from his belief that physical attraction is not a necessary component of love. (Gulla, 2020) Basically, Philia is love without romantic attraction and it can be between friends or family members. According to FTD Blog (2020), how we can understand Philia type of love:

  •      Engage in deep conversation with a friend.
  •      Be open and trustworthy.
  •      Be supportive in hard times.

The other type of love is Ludus, and it is also called as playful love. FTD Blog (2020) says that it includes emotions, flirting and beginning stages of intimate love. Ludus, also known as the honeymoon stage of a relationship, is a childish and flirtatious form of love that is frequently experienced in the early going. This kind of love is characterized by jokes, playful intentions, and laughter between the partners. Even though it's typical of young couples, older couples who pursue this love experience happier marriages. It can be understood with these below: 

  •      Flirt and have fun-loving conversations
  •      Spend time laughing and having fun together
  •      Show off your innocent side together
  •      Bonus: Give a rose bouquet

Agape love is selfless love or universal love which means an empathetic attitude of love for everyone and anyone. This type of love is the peak level of love to offer since it is given without any expectations of receiving anything in return. Offering Agape is a choice to spread love in all situations, even those that could be harmful. Agape is a feeling; it is not a physical action. However, acts of self-love have the power to cause Agape because self-monitoring produces results. Agape can be shown with these:

  • Dedicate your life to enhancing the lives of others.
  • Stay conscious of your actions for the good of humankind.
  •  Offer your time and charity to someone in need.

There are numerous charities that serve for all humanity without any expectation like money because they only worry about our world and future. Other than that, you have to think about the times you do not even look and pass people who buy something to earn some money, does make you feel less human? Even though, you cannot work for charity, you can still do some favours to people who you do not know. Agape is pure and conscious love which makes us more human and feel optimistic about our world since we do it unconditionally.

Pragma is enduring or longstanding love which mature love that develops over time. It can be shown with putting effort into long-term and reciprocate relationships. Pragma is an exceptional form of bonded love that develops over many years. When a couple decides to put equal effort into their relationship, their love is eternal. It takes dedication and commitment to achieve "Pragma." You are "standing in love" with the person you want by your side forever, not "falling in love," with them. (FTD, 2020) Pragma is shown with:

  •      Continue to strengthen the bond of long-term relationships.
  •      Seek and show effort with your partner.
  •      Choose to work with your partner forever.

The other love type is Philautia which is self-love. This is all about self-love and self-compassion. It is needed for our own confidence and self-esteem, and it also affects how we interact with the world. More love of self-equals more love to offer to others. After all, you can't pour from an empty cup. (Regan, 2022) According to FTD, philautia can be shown with these:

  • Establish an environment that nurtures your well-being.
  • Take care of yourself like a parent would care for a child.
  • Spend time around people who support you.
  • Bonus: Use flowers to boost your mood.

Storge is familiar love which flows between parents and children or childhood friends. It can be shown with gratitude towards the people close to you. Storge is a naturally occurring love that is rooted in best friends, as well as parents and children. It's an endless love founded on emotional connection and acceptance. In the relationship between parents and children, this love comes naturally and right away. (FTD, 2020) Storge is understood with: 

  •      Sacrifice your time, self, or personal pleasures.
  •      Quickly forgive harmful actions.
  •      Share memorable and impactful moments.

Mania is the last type of love and it is also known as obsessive love. Mania type is obsessiveness or madness over a love partner. Codependency, which results in unwanted possessiveness or jealousy, is the result. The majority of cases of obsessive love are found in couples who have unequal amounts of love for one another. Mania is primarily brought on by an imbalance between Eros and Ludus. Obsessive love can be harmful, but it can also be avoided by having healthy levels of playful and romantic love. (FTD, 2020) Avoid from mania can be possible with these:

  • Recognize obsessive or possessive behavior before acting upon it.
  • Focus on yourself more versus another person.
  • Put trust into your relationships.

In conclusion, there are different types of love that we can feel. It can be for ourselves, friends and families, lovers with different approaches, other people even we do not know and so more. These terms make easier to understand and describe our feelings in a deep way. Hope that while reading this, you can find some things in yourself. After all, love will save the world…

 

 

 

 

 

 

References

Gulla, E. (2020, December 14). 8 different types of love explained. Cosmopolitan. https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/love-sex/relationships/a34896557/types-of-love/

mindbodygreen. (2022, December 28). From Eros To Philia, Here Are 8 Different Types Of Love. Mindbodygreen. https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/types-of-love

Team, F. (1970, January 20). The 8 different types of love + The perfect combo for you | FTD. FTD Blog. https://www.ftd.com/blog/types-of-love

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Tue, 31 Oct 2023 20:18:33 +0300 Ela Gönder
JEALOUSY BETWEEN SIBLINGS https://psikoloji.sayedrablog.net/jealousy-between-siblings https://psikoloji.sayedrablog.net/jealousy-between-siblings The fact that the mother is pregnant with another child is one of the situations that bring about sibling jealousy in the child. It occurs more often between the ages of about 3 and 8. The reason for this is that children in this period can analyze events with emotion guidance rather than logic.The concept of a new sibling means a threat to a young child. The child thinks that he/she will be less loved by his/her parents, their interest in him/her will decrease or disappear. They also believe that their toys will be taken by another person.

 

What Are the Main Factors Underlying Sibling Jealousy?

The concept of jealousy, which we encounter this concept as an extremely natural emotion, stems from the inability of a loved one to be shared with another and basically insecurity. This makes the child uncomfortable. The reason for this is a natural discomfort from the fact that the interest and attention towards him/her until then will be directed to his/her brother/sister. The fact that the sibling is born and the time given to him/her is limited may cause feelings of anger, resentment, etc. in the child, which are perceived as towards the baby but actually towards the parents. The child begins to feel abandoned, insecure, and unsupported.

The measure of jealousy between siblings is related to the tolerance for the birth of a new child and the change in parental attitudes, the established communication between the older child and the parents, and whether the child has a negative impact on the baby.

Another factor affecting the degree of jealousy is the age difference between siblings. The feeling of jealousy happens more in siblings with a low age difference than in siblings with a high age difference.

The environmental factor also plays an important role in jealousy. Other individuals or relatives in the environment may also cause some negative thoughts. Comparing children with each other, gifts for the newborn baby, making praises, and constantly taking care of him/her are among the approaches that have a negative effect. They can cause children to compete with each other and feel anger.

Some changes may also occur according to the gender factor; especially if families have gender preferences and show this, it is inevitable to experience jealousy according to gender.

 

Symptoms of Sibling Jealousy

It consists of a combination of complex emotions such as self-pity, sadness, fear of humiliation, boredom, anger, hatred and the desire to feel love, protection and closeness along with the thought of taking revenge. The most effective of these emotions are anger, self-pity and sadness.

While the child sees himself/herself as the center of love and attention at home until that day, he/she suddenly feels pushed to the second plan. The child now has to share the love and care of his/her parents and other relatives with his/her brother/sister. With the thought that he/she is not loved, he/she may completely get away from the mother, withdraw into himself/herself, start not eating or even lose weight.

They try to attract the attention of their parents by using nightmares trick or the arrival of their toilets as an excuse. With behaviors such as bed wetting, thumb sucking, etc., regression to previous developmental stages may occur.

They become very aggressive both during the day and at night. They have a tense appearance, have difficulty calming down, and may sometimes approach the people around them with anger. They can show aggression towards oneself or objects.

Along with the refusal to leave the home (for example, not wanting to go to school), psychosomatic reactions such as headache, nausea, etc. (physical examination should be performed to determine its accuracy), restlessness, reluctance and other signs of stress can often be observed.

The birth of a new sibling causes the child to experience contradictory emotions such as interest and protection, distress and jealousy. The thought that she will no longer be loved as she used to be may begin while the mother is still in pregnancy. Recently, when the mother is tired, reluctant and busy with the preparation of the new future sibling, it may cause the child to become grumpy and not want to leave the mother.

 

What Can Be Done to Prevent Sibling Jealousy:

It can be stated with a suitable language that a new member will join the family before the sibling is born, the environment at home may be more exciting and different than usual, for example, guests may come to the house frequently, the mother may be both tired and have to spend more time with the baby, and the reason for this is that a small baby has needs, but the same process is experienced when he/she is born and everything will be in order again in time. Thus, the child will feel more ready psychologically. It should not be waited until the last time to tell them.

First of all, you should relax, children are affected by the behavior of adults around them. If you are worried about how the older child will react to his/her sibling, this will be reflected in your child.

Do not use words that the child cannot embody. Although the sentence "Do not worry, we will love you as much as we love the baby" seems to be well-meaning, it causes the child to compete with the sibling for the love of his parents.

During pregnancy, his/her father or another family member (grandmother, grandmother) may try to feed, bathe and put him/her to sleep related to the care of the older child. Thus, when the mother is in the hospital or taking care of the baby, the child does not feel as if he/she is in the background and does not think that his/her life has changed.

Parents should make an effort to take care of both their children by dividing work among themselves. After the child's sibling is born, he/she needs to spend time with both parents in order not to feel isolated and excluded.

Your parents should make the child feel the message that your sibling is born, but there is no change for you, there is no decrease or change in our love for you, not only with words but also with their behavior. This is only possible by continuing to spare time for the child, communicating with him/her, participating in joint activities with him/her and giving him/her responsibility.

An effort should be made to spend quality time with the jealous child when possible, and he/she should be allowed to realize the habit he/she enjoyed doing before. Activities such as going to the playground they have previously realized with their new brother, reading stories after dinner, etc. should not be terminated suddenly. Thus, the child will not end his/her self-confidence by seeing that he/she has not lost his/her status.

Instead of showing too much love to the newborn sibling, it would be right to aim to share the love that is already there from the first moment. Immediately after showing love to the baby, trying to do the same love to the child in panic, making such attempts will cause the naturalness to be lost and the child will get the wrong idea that he/she is loved because he/she has to, etc.

Even the guests who come to the house only show the behavior of taking care of the baby and forgetting the older child. It will be beneficial to express that their relatives are not only interested in the baby, but also to show interest and love to the older child as they are used to, and to warn them about paying attention to what is being talked about the younger child when they are with the older child.

Instead of constantly calling the baby "baby", starting to say its name directly reminds the baby that it is a living being, not an object. Addressing the baby as "ours" rather than "mine" and shaping the child's life according to the baby with words such as "Be quiet, your sibling is asleep" will increase jealousy.

Trying to distance the child from the baby with excessive anxiety is one of the biggest mistakes that can be made. On the contrary, they should be motivated to touch the baby, take on tasks in care and spend time with him/her in order to create a relationship between them.

Too much tolerance of the child so that he/she does not get jealous will make the situation worse. For example, the child who previously slept alone should not be allowed to sleep with his or her parents. Too much attention shown to the child so that he/she does not get jealous may cause his/her sibling to be jealous of him/her this time.

It should be explained in a clear language that it will not be allowed to harm the baby. If the child has harmed his sibling, he should be treated with the awareness that this seemingly very bad behavior is nothing more than a bit of hostile scrutiny, not to actually harm the baby. The important thing here is not to react too much, he warns without getting angry by reacting politely (otherwise he may continue this behavior to make him angry). Whether the child gets the message or not, it would be the right option not to leave the two siblings alone.

Support may be requested from the child in jobs related to the baby. For example, the older child can be supported in activities such as the baby giving his/her diaper while changing his/her diaper, the bottle getting cold, choosing toys or clothes, and fixing the baby's room.

Rather than rejecting and ignoring negative feelings towards the sibling, one should try to recognize them by accepting them and allow them to express negative feelings.

Avoid comparisons between siblings. However, it can be conveyed that the child that his/her child was once a small baby in the past and that the same care and attention was given to him/her. Showing shrunken clothes and baby photos, talking about the times when he/she was a baby and his/her cute behaviors can make him/her feel better.

It should not be said that there is an obligation to love her/his sibling. It should not go unnoticed that she/he is still a child, waiting for maturity above her/his age by saying "You are now your sister/brother".

Instead of showing that your love is equal, it would be right to make each child feel differently, that only he or she is shown special love.

Instead of trying to allocate equal time, it is necessary to allocate time to each child according to their own needs. It should be pointed out that the baby is too young to meet his/her own needs, so he/she needs more attention.

It may be beneficial to be able to separate the clothes that his/her brother/sister can wear and the toys that he/she can play with, but he/she should not have difficulty in what he/she does not want to give. Giving a favorite toy to his/her sibling can upset the child and trigger his/her jealousy.

The feeling that the family is a whole should make them understand by everyone. For this reason, activities that the whole family can do together, such as strolling, picnic, shopping, watching movies, etc. should be given the opportunity.

If the parents communicate with the child as much as possible, if they engage in joint activities together, if the child is given small responsibilities related to his/her sibling and the house, the child will still feel safer and still loved, and that he/she is a person who is cared for.

It is necessary not to be an arbitrator in children's fights. When parents are involved in children's discussions, each of the children thinks that their parents are on the side of the other. This situation leads to an increase in competition. The older sibling hates the younger sibling who can provide the protective support of the parents. No matter how much the parents try to be impartial, this does not benefit them, so the siblings must resolve their disagreements themselves. Except when there is physical violence, it is beneficial for parents not to intervene in solving the problem.

It is not necessary to ask who started the problem. Because trying to find out who started the incident causes children to blame each other. By drawing attention to the fact that each child has a share in the beginning of the fight, it is necessary to ensure that they bear the consequences jointly.

No matter how intense the jealousy and incompatibility between siblings are, they experience a feeling of longing much when they are separated from each other. This shows that even if you think that their relationship is sometimes very broken, they actually love each other very much.

 

 

 REFERENCES

·         (MEB, 2021). Guidance Service Brochure. Ornekkoyocalgirayilkokulu. In the text (MoNE, 2021, S,y.)

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Wed, 25 Oct 2023 11:09:39 +0300 Zeynep
FORMS OF FORGIVENESS: WHY DO WE FORGIVE? https://psikoloji.sayedrablog.net/forms-of-forgiveness-why-do-we-forgive https://psikoloji.sayedrablog.net/forms-of-forgiveness-why-do-we-forgive According to Hall and Fincham (2005), forgiveness is defined as removing oneself from the unforgivable situation and facing one's own mistake, reducing the desire for revenge, and increasing the desire to help oneself (Güven and Erdem, 2020). Forgiveness is a different concept from reconciliation. Worthington and Drinkard (2000) defined reconciliation as "showing behaviours that build mutual trust and re-establishing a bond of trust" (Aydın, 2017). Reconciliation, talking to the person, or rebuilding a safe relationship with them is not a necessity for forgiving. A person can internally forgive and still remove this burden. For example, we can forgive a person but still want that person to be punished. This both unchains the burden of not forgiving and provides justice.

A concept often confused with forgiveness is the concept of forgetting. Forgiveness is not the same as forgetting. Forgetting often happens unconsciously, while forgiveness is a conscious act of adding positive values to a past event (Enright, Freedman, and Rique, 1998, as cited in Aydın, 2017). The people we forgive may occasionally come to mind, the wounds we've covered may sometimes get wounded, and that muddy water may become cloudy again. The important thing in forgiveness is not feeling the same anger and resentment towards them, not blaming oneself for the events, and not harbouring feelings of revenge.

In addition to forgiving others and forgiving situations/events, there is another aspect called "self-forgiveness." In self-forgiveness, a person blames themselves for an event. Self-forgiveness is more of an internal process. Self-forgiveness is not about ignoring one's mistakes; it's about accepting one's mistake and taking responsibility for it (Taysi, 2007, as cited in Güven and Erdem, 2020).

Letting go of emotions like hostility, anger, fear, and revenge can bring inner peace to individuals and contribute significantly to their psychological strength. When a person moves away from the constant mental battles, they feel free. Another effect of forgiveness is an increase in self-respect and a decrease in depression (Bugay and Demir, 2012). In a study by Gökmen and Deniz (2020) involving 204 people on forgiveness and trauma, it was found that as forgiveness scores increased, post-traumatic growth scores also increased. This means that as individuals forgive, they gradually erase the traces of their traumas and become stronger individuals after these traumas. In a study by Ayten and Gashi (2012) on life satisfaction and forgiveness, it was found that forgiveness has a positive impact on life satisfaction. Çetinkaya (2015) conducted research that found a positive and significant relationship between subjective well-being levels and forgiveness. In other words, the more forgiveness increases, the more a person's subjective well-being increases. In a study by Karataş and Uzun (2021), it was found that self-compassion predicts forgiveness.

To achieve inner peace, silence the voices in one's head, increase self-esteem and life satisfaction, protect against depression, maintain subjective well-being and self-compassion, and relieve oneself of feelings of revenge and hatred, one should forgive. If an individual finds it challenging to do it alone, they can seek psychological support.

REFERENCES

Aydın, F. T. (2017). Pozitif bir karakter gücü olarak affedicilik. The Journal of Happiness & Well-Being, 5(1), 1-22. Ayten, A. & Gashi, F. (2012). AFFETME VE HAYAT MEMNUNİYETİ ÜZERİNE KARŞILAŞTIRMALI BİR ARAŞTIRMA . Balkan Araştırmaları Dergisi , 3 (2) , 11-36 . Retrieved from https://dergipark.org.tr/en/pub/bad1/issue/29474/316081

BUGAY A., DEMİR A. (2012). Affetme arttırılabilinir mi? : Affetmeyi geliştirme grubu. Türk Psikolojik danışma ve Rehberlik Dergisi 4(37), 96-100.

Gökmen, G. & Deniz, M. E. (2020). TRAVMA SONRASI BÜYÜMENİN YORDAYICILARI OLARAK ÖZ-ANLAYIŞ VE AFFETME . Uluslararası Türk Kültür Coğrafyasında Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi , 5 (2) , 72-93 . Retrieved from https://dergipark.org.tr/en/pub/turksosbilder/issue/59442/837790

Güven, N. ve Erdem, T. (2020). Affetme: Kuramsal bir değerlendirme. Uluslararası Dil, Eğitim ve Sosyal Bilimlerde Güncel Yaklaşımlar Dergisi (CALESS), 2(2), 578-607.

Karataş, Z. & Uzun, K. (2021). ERGENLERİN KENDİLERİNİ, BAŞKALARINI VE DURUMLARI AFFETME EĞİLİMLERİNİN YORDANMASINDA MÜKEMMELİYETÇİLİK, YALNIZLIK VE ÖZ-ŞEFKATİN ETKİSİ . Mehmet Akif Ersoy Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi , - (58) , 248-289 . Retrieved from https://dergipark.org.tr/en/pub/maeuefd/issue/61832/877884

 Yaşar, K. (2015). Eğitim fakültesi öğrencilerinin öznel iyi oluş düzeyleri ile psikolojik sağlamlık ve affetme düzeyleri arasındaki ilişki (Doctoral dissertation, Bursa Uludag University (Turkey)).

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Tue, 24 Oct 2023 11:16:06 +0300 Teslime Defne Yıldız
PSYCHOLOGICAL RESILIENCE https://psikoloji.sayedrablog.net/definition-and-explanation-of-psychological-resilience https://psikoloji.sayedrablog.net/definition-and-explanation-of-psychological-resilience Two critical points are essential in defining psychological resilience: first, the individual must experience a life-threatening or negative life event, and second, they must demonstrate a successful adaptation process in the face of adverse circumstances. Researchers make various distinctions in defining psychological resilience. Some believe that psychological resilience is innate, while others think it arises as a result of the interaction between environmental factors. However, some researchers define psychological resilience as a concept that can develop as a result of the interaction of environmental factors with personality traits. Masten (2002) defines psychological resilience as a quality that individuals can develop with the support of protective and enhancing factors, rather than an inherent trait.

Risk and protective factors play a significant role in explaining the concept of psychological resilience. Risk factors encompass all events that could lead to negative outcomes. Protective factors, on the other hand, are factors that reduce the impact of negative consequences resulting from adverse life events. Negative events experienced in early childhood or adolescence can lead to disruptions in later development stages. Low socioeconomic status, genetic disorders, domestic violence, and disasters can be cited as examples of risk factors (Werner, 1989). Risk factors are considered predictors of developmental and psychological problems that may occur later in life (Werner, 1989). In Garmezy's (1987) study, it was found that children with fewer protective factors and a low socioeconomic status were exposed to a higher level of stressful life.

Masten (1994) notes that there is an inverse relationship between protective factors and risk factors, suggesting that increasing resilience skills reduces stress. The reason why this resilience skill affects some people more than others could be a factor in the development of psychological resilience. In the formation of psychological resilience, protective factors are believed to accelerate the adaptation process by acting as a shield against adverse conditions created by risk factors. Among these protective factors, perceived social support, intelligence, academic achievement, effective communication within the family, and social support from outside the family are considered several factors that enhance psychological resilience. These protective factors are divided into three categories; positive self-references of the individual, the level of emotional attachment within the family, and the presence of social support perceived outside the family (Werner, 1989). Protective factors are more effective in increasing an individual's resilience and coping with adverse life events regardless of the level and type of risk.

Individuals with high psychological resilience are better at dealing with problems in the face of adverse life events than those with lower psychological resilience. They possess qualities such as optimism, strong moral principles, beliefs, spirituality, the ability to determine life goals more easily, and successful social relationships.

Although psychological resilience appears to be related to negative life events, it is, in fact, a concept that arises from everyday life. Along with psychological resilience, individuals can stand stronger against life and develop by overcoming difficulties. The importance of the concept of psychological resilience, especially for young adults, adolescents, and children, has increased in our country due to recent natural disasters, economic crises, and other crises. Therefore, it is crucial to develop intervention and educational programs for the advancement of this concept of psychological resilience and to improve the psychological counseling and guidance services in schools.

References

Karaırmak, Ö.(2007).Psikolojik sağlamlılık, risk faktörleri ve koruyucu faktörler. Türk Psikolojik Danışma ve Rehberlik Dergisi, 3(26).

Masten, A. S. ve Reed, M.G. (2002). Resilience in development. In C.R. Snyder ve S. J. Lopez (Eds.), The handbook of positive psychology (pp. 74- 88). Oxford University.

Üsküdar  Üniversitesi/ Üsküdar Pozitif Psikoloji.”Psikolojik Sağlamlılık” erişim: 7 Ekim 2023. https://uskudar.edu.tr/pozitif-psikoloji/psikolojik-saglamlik

Werner, E. E. (1989). High-risk children in young adulthood: A longitudinal study from birth to 32 years. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry. 59, 72-81.

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Sun, 22 Oct 2023 20:25:24 +0300 Büşra Haliloğlu
PSYCHOLOGICAL ROOTS OF VIOLANCE https://psikoloji.sayedrablog.net/psychological-roots-of-violance https://psikoloji.sayedrablog.net/psychological-roots-of-violance

In order to understand, reduce and eliminate violence, it is necessary to first understand terson who commits it, the human being. Efforts to explain violence in psychology have generally focused on two theories. The first of these argues that violence resides in human nature and that the urge for aggression exists within humans. The second theory argues that violence is a learned behavior, that individuals learn violence through observation and modeling, and thus resort to violence.

 At some points in the text, the expression "aggression" is used instead of violence. Aggression and violence are two intertwined phenomena.  Aggression lies at the basis of violence.

Aggression as an Impulse

 Freud and most psychoanalytic theorists argue that humans are governed by two basic instincts. These instincts are life and death instincts. Freud considers the life instinct as sexuality (Eros) and the death instinct (Thanatos) as aggression. At this point, according to Freud, if the death instinct is introverted, it leads to suicide, while if it is extroverted, it leads to aggression and anger. In other words, aggression is a person's projection of the anger they feel towards themself onto others. This approach argues that a person exhibits aggressive behavior when they are prevented and their efforts fail to achieve results. According to the theory, by directing the anger towards the "weak" person, rather than the one who created the obstacle, the person experiences a kind of "catharsis" by being relieved, and at the same time, displays a kind of power display by eliminating the feeling of weakness felt by not being able to resist the obstacle. In this way, the person proves his/her power to himself/herself.

Violance as a Learned Behavior

 As social beings, we interact with the environment, see it and take it as a model from the moment we are born. Undoubtedly, our most important model resources are our families. The frequency of violence in the family and society and the reactions to violence set an example for the child. According to this theory, it is not the impulses that cause aggression in a person, but the aggressive behaviors that he/she sees from the environment and takes as a model. If the aggressive behavior that a person exhibits by example or learning is reinforced, he/she continues to exhibit this behavior by adopting it.

Aggression as Biological Predisposition

 Some studies have revealed that damage and lesions in the frontal lobe, which is the region of the brain responsible for decision, judgment and emotion-behavior control, lead to aggression and violence. In addition, damage to the prefrontal cortex causes disruptions in the functioning of the limbic system and insight problems in the person.

 In other studies, it has been observed that the deficiency or excess of some hormones also increases the severity. For example, high testosterone levels increase aggression. Low oxytocin level can also cause an increase in anxiety level and therefore aggression.

Obedience to Authority and Violence

 In addition to all these, the social environment we live in and our social status can be seen as the cause of violence in some cases. When it comes to authority and obedience, our actions are no longer governed by our own perceptions of right and wrong, but by authority. We do not go against authority due to factors such as our personality and social structure. For example, a police officer or soldier may carry out aggressive and violent actions by following orders received from the authority in order to ensure peace and security.

Lovelessness and Violence

 In addition to basic physiological needs, people also have emotional needs such as love, approval, attention, etc. These needs are primarily met during childhood. Additionally, the first 6 years of life have significant effects on personality development. During this period, children who cannot establish positive relationships with the environment, especially the family, and who cannot receive the approval they need from the environment are more likely to be irritable, pessimistic and aggressive. In order to suppress his/her feelings of inadequacy and worthlessness, he/she may develop a superiority complex and inflict psychological and physical violence on those around him.

 To summarize generally, violence is not an action arising from a single reason. The experiences gained throughout life, the instincts and pathologies we bring with our existence, what we feel and what we reinforce are at the basis of our actions, and therefore at the basis of violence. Even if eliminating violence is unlikely, we can reduce it. However, the reference for positive personality and social relationships is the love given in the family and the sense of acceptance. Everything starts in the family and takes shape in the individual. Positive relationships established in the family and correct guidance by the family are the biggest obstacles to violence.

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Wed, 18 Oct 2023 14:05:28 +0300 Ebrar Koku
LOVE OR LIKING ? https://psikoloji.sayedrablog.net/love-or-liking https://psikoloji.sayedrablog.net/love-or-liking Psychologist Zick Rubin (1973) expressed some views on this issue. According to Rubin, loving and liking are considered different things. While liking contains respect and warm feelings and even more good intentions, loving brings attachment and privacy. In other words, it would not be wrong to describe loving as intense emotions experienced by people who dream not only of that moment but also of the future and look at each other for a long time. For example, we can think of two similar friends who are happy to spend time with each other. There is an obvious liking here, but the love score may not be as high as the liking score. Davis (1985) states that while love in a friendship includes feelings such as liking, accepting and respecting each other, love is more than that because love includes passion and caring along with these elements.

The similar sentence of love and liking is not wrong, on the other hand, the fine line between them is that love includes liking, but perhaps it also includes a little more intense emotions. A loving relationship can be expected to last longer, but some factors are important. The first of these is similarity. Yes, it can be stated that similarity has positive contributions to making a relationship long-lasting. If we think about two people who met in a friend environment and started to feel attracted to each other, they first understand whether they will enter a serious path with each other by talking about similar views by looking for similar aspects. Ties may not be established very tightly, as it will be difficult to compromise if one says white and the other says black.

Another factor is complementarity. While the similarity above is important, now emphasizing the differences may lead to some contradictions. Similarity plays an important role in the initial establishment phase of relationships. The individual chooses someone for the relationship by focusing on similarities. After entering the relationship, he/she looks for more complementary aspects. To give a concrete example, it is important to know at what level the issue is. It is a high abstract similarity that two people are of the same religion, the same political opinion. However, the fact that one of the same two people enjoys science fiction and the other likes drama is a tangible difference. People with a high level of similarity may be more tolerant of differences at the concrete level.

The last factor is positive interactions. In their study with married couples, Robinson and Price (1980) show that happy couples see more positive aspects, while unhappy couples pay attention only to negative aspects. If the spouses express each other's positive aspects and support each other at this point, their negative aspects gradually decrease and love can be reinforced more.

As a result, there is a fine distinction between loving and liking in relationships. The main reason for some question marks in relationships is hidden in these questions. By listening more to emotions and behaviors, we can see this distinction more clearly. In this way, the other person takes a place in our lives. After this stage, the importance of love in a relationship should be considered. What partners expect from each other and with what emotions they express these expectations are important.

REFERENCES

Cüceloğlu D. (1990), Human and Behavior

Özen Y. (2010), Love and Love Theories from Sensory Field Learning (Myths about Love), Volume: 1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Sun, 15 Oct 2023 16:03:38 +0300 Yiğit Mehmet Behrem
PARENTING STYLES https://psikoloji.sayedrablog.net/parenting-styles https://psikoloji.sayedrablog.net/parenting-styles  The first one is authoritarian parenting which is about being strict. Their focus is mostly obedience. They are known for saying “Because I said so.” Authoritarian parents’ behaviors are hostile and aggressive and so they cannot think and evaluate their child’s future in more proper ways. Since these parents are strict and aggressive, their children may become liars to escape punishment and mostly they tend to hide some things from their parents. Authoritarian parents’ children may have low self-esteem and also, they can think that their opinions are not important since their parents do not look like they care about their children. According to Baumrind, these parents: 

• Don't promote verbal back-and-forth.

• Expect that their commands will be followed without question and are "obedience- and status-oriented."

• Have a tendency to use other forms of punishment, such as withholding affection or humiliating their kids, to control them.

• In general, avoid attempting to justify the necessity of rules.

There are some statements of authoritarian parents. When you read it and strongly agree with these, you have to go over again your parenting style.  (Dewar, 2018)

• I yell at my child in a fit of rage.

• I punish my child by withholding affectionate words.

• When the kid misbehaves, I scream or shout.

In short, being authoritarian parent might have huge negative effect on children’s development in all aspects.

The second style is authoritative parenting. These parents have a balance between having rules and taking care their children’s opinions. Authoritative parents’ children are validated by their family so that they can feel that their opinions and feelings are seen. These parents use reinforce to increase positive behavior of their children so it is stated that their children mostly become responsible adults in their future life. In addition to all of these, children who raised by authoritative parents have a chance to be happier and more successful. The feeling of being heard and seen affects self-confidence and development of children. For example, a firm but loving parent might say, "We're going to grandma's house now, so please put on your shoes." Schoonover continues, "If that doesn't happen, an authoritative parent might say the child will be in time-out if they don't follow the rule." (Wisner, 2022)

Permissive parenting is the other type of parenting styles. They are mostly interested in setting rules but not enforcing them. These parents are forgiving and not so much care about poor choices or bad behavior. They generally have an attitude by saying “Kids will be kids.” Permissive parents’ children have problems academically since they do not much care about rules and it can cause them not to be successful in their school life. On the other hand, they might have health problems since permissive parents do not limit what they eat such as unhealthy foods, or do not encourage their kids to exercise or having healthy sleep habits. All of the harmful behaviors of permissive parents largely affect children life and it can make them unhealthy, sad, and so more. There are some examples of permissive parents do to their children:

• Permitting your child to watch TV despite your assurance that they may only do so after finishing their assignment.

• Allowing your child to complete chores whenever they feel like it and refraining from reprimanding them when they put them off or forget to do them.

• Granting their requests merely because they are sobbing.

• Permissive parenting has the following negative effects as well:

• Lack of self-control and self-discipline; low self-esteem; a sense of entitlement; being careless and unreliable; and a lack of boundaries

The last one is uninvolved parenting. These parents mostly do not ask their children about their school, homework, friends and what they through in their life. In fact, they hardly know where their child is or who they are with. Uninvolved parents’ child mostly tend not to perform well academically and also struggle with confidence problems with themselves. Since they do not know much about development of children, they cannot behave properly to their child. Some common patterns of behavior for uninvolved parents. (Cherry, 2023)

• Display emotional distance toward their kids

• Restrict interactions with their kids because they're too stressed out from their own issues.

• Offer scant or no supervision.

• Place few or no demands or expectations on behavior.

• Don't show their kids much warmth, love, or affection.

• Skip parent-teacher conferences and school events

Uninvolved parents have a variety of negative effects, some of which are listed below:

• Feel worried or stressed as a result of the absence of family support.

• Act emotionally distant.

• Aversion to becoming reliant on others.

• Possess a higher propensity for substance abuse.

• Must learn how to support themselves.

• Display more delinquency while they are teenagers.

When we look at all these parenting styles, we can obviously see the thing is that individual's life is largely affected by families and how they behave to their children, especially from childhood to the end of adolescence. Therefore, we can say that it is inevitable that these behavioral styles will affect us throughout our lives. Remember, “The basis of everything is family.”

 

References

Dewar, G. (2021b). The authoritarian parenting style: What does it look like? PARENTING SCIENCE. https://parentingscience.com/authoritarian-parenting-style/#:~:text=For%20instance%2C%20parents%20are%20MORE,by%20withholding%20expressions%20of%20affection

Lcsw, A. M. (2022). The 4 types of parenting styles and how kids are affected. Verywell Family. https://www.verywellfamily.com/types-of-parenting-styles-1095045

Mcvoteam. (2021). What is Permissive Parenting and How does it affect your child? Brightside Academy Ohio. https://brightsideohio.com/permissive-parenting-style/#:~:text=Here%20are%20some%20of%20the%20examples%20permissive%20parents%20do%20to%20their%20children.&text=Letting%20your%20child%20do%20chores,just%20because%20they%20are%20crying.

MSEd, K. C. (2023). Characteristics and effects of an uninvolved parenting style. Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-uninvolved-parenting-2794958

MSEd, K. C. (2023b). Characteristics and effects of an uninvolved parenting style. Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-uninvolved-parenting-2794958

Wisner, W. (2022). What is authoritative parenting?. Verywell family. https://www.verywellfamily.com/what-is-authoritative-parenting-5270916#:~:text=For%20example%2C%20an%20authoritative%20parent,to%20the%20rule%2C%20Schoonover%20adds.

 

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Fri, 13 Oct 2023 19:31:13 +0300 Ela Gönder
Mirror of Society: Reflections of Collective Narcissism https://psikoloji.sayedrablog.net/mirror-of-society-reflections-of-collective-narcissism https://psikoloji.sayedrablog.net/mirror-of-society-reflections-of-collective-narcissism What is Collective Narcissism?

 Diagnosis of narcissistic personality disorder according to DSM-5; With individuals who show the symptoms such as over -causing self -care and exaggerating their importance, exploiting others and keeping their own interests in the forefront, not paying attention to the emotional needs and thoughts of others, waiting for excessive praise and admiration from others, and constantly believing that they are jealous by others. associated.

 Symptoms of individual narcissism are guiding for understanding collective narcissism. Erich fromm explains collective narcissism as the situation in which individuals define themselves as a part of the society or group in which they are located, and that this society or group greatly shaped the identities of individuals. Golec de Zavala explained collective narcissism as “an unrealistic believing of an unique size of an internal uniqueness and in -the -group identification that enables him to make emotional investment in this belief.” , 2023, p.215) In short, collective narcissitis individuals show excessive commitment to their groups and attribute exaggerated achievements and superior features for these groups. At the same time, they try to strengthen their own group identities by underestimating and criticizing “other” groups.

 Causes of Collective Narcissism

 There are many reasons behind collective narcissism. The common point of the researches; “It is the fact that individuals who have not met, neglected or who have been disappointed because of their experiences tend to develop collective narcissism.” They feel belonging to a group. At this point, it is important that collective narcissism is not confused with concepts such as nationalism. The main difference between the concepts defining commitment to one group and collective narcissism is that collective narcissism is completely closed to “others ,, and the overdoing of commitment to excess. The fact that social media platforms and political leaders create their discourses by emphasizing the common characteristics of certain groups in order to bring them closer to them.

 Effects of Collective Narcissism

 Collective narcissism may vary according to the dynamics of society. Nevertheless, the main effect can be determined as social division. The overdoing of group belonging and the other group disdain leads to conflict and division between groups. Excessive group identity can increase the tendency to hostility and violence against other groups. For example, the Rwanda Genocide, where more than 800,000 people lost their lives, which can be considered one of the most concrete examples of collective narcissism, has been experienced due to conflicts on the defining Hutu leaders as superior and the prisoners as “foreigners .. Another effect of collective narcissism can be identified as emotional satisfaction. Group members can get some kind of emotional satisfaction from defending their groups and thinking that they are superior to others. This may increase the self -esteem of individuals. In addition, collective narcissism can restrict creative thought and make it difficult to accept different ideas, which can prevent the development and progression of society. As a result, the effects of collective narcissism can seriously limit the ability of societies to live together and cooperate, so it is important to recognize this phenomenon and to address it from a critical perspective.

 Collective narcissism has become a psychological phenomenon that has attracted more attention in recent years. This phenomenon, which can be seen in different parts of the society, includes behaviors such as extreme commitment of individuals to their groups, emphasizing the superiority of group members and hostility towards other groups. Collective narcissism can have both psychological and social consequences. When people understand the existence of this phenomenon, they can take steps to control and correct these behaviors. Training and awareness campaigns can play an important role in this regard. In addition, more empathy and understanding in society should be encouraged. Where collective narcissism is common, it is important to communicate and understand them with individuals of other groups. This can reduce hostility by increasing the understanding between groups. Finally, the role of leaders and the media should not be forgotten. Leaders are the unifying and distinctive power of society. Instead of encouraging collective narcissism, it should emphasize the values and unity that hold the society together. In the media, instead of fueling between groups of groups, it must celebrate differences and promote tolerance.

 Although collective narcissism is a phenomenon that can adversely affect social relations, it is possible to reduce this phenomenon with conscious efforts and understanding. Each of us can contribute to becoming part of a more tolerant, understanding and unifying society.

References

Amerikan Psikoloji Birliği, DSM-5 Tanı Ölçütleri. Çev. E. Köroğlu. Ankara: HYB Yayıncılık, 2014.

Betül Akgöl Can. Kolektif Narsisizmin Cinsiyet Üzerindeki İzdüşümü: “Üstün Erkeklik”, İz Yayıncılık, 2023.

Golec De Zavala, Agnieszka vd., “Collective Narcissism: Political Consequences of Investing Self-Worth in the Ingroup’s Image”. Political Psychology, 40 (2019), 37-74. https://doi.org/10.1111/pops.12569

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Mon, 09 Oct 2023 14:41:45 +0300 Cansu Çiriş
TIME MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES https://psikoloji.sayedrablog.net/time-management-techniques https://psikoloji.sayedrablog.net/time-management-techniques Time is a subject that everyone contemplates. Sometimes it flows smoothly, and other times it feels like it's not moving at all. Time, independent of other resources, cannot be stopped, reversed, stored, produced, bought with money, sold, or altered. As time flows, the need for us to use it as efficiently as possible may arise. In this era of rapid developments, we can propose a technique to adapt to changes and make the most of our time.

According to research, people who can manage their time can accomplish a lot in a short time, increase their job performance and satisfaction, reduce stress, and lead happier and more productive lives. It has been observed that individuals who cannot manage their time well and feel like it's wasted are more likely to experience psychological disorders such as depression and anxiety.

We all want to spend our time more efficiently, but we may not know how to do it. There are many time management techniques to make better use of time, and I will discuss some of them.

The 'Warrior Approach' focuses on individuals protecting themselves, being independent, and having control over their own time. It is driven by the motivation to protect oneself through combat. It involves isolating oneself from the external world, closing communication channels, and self-isolation.

The Pomodoro technique is a time management technique that involves taking regular breaks while working on any topic. You choose a topic or task and work on it for 25 minutes. During this time, you avoid distractions. After 25 minutes, take a short 5-minute break, focusing on resting during the break.

The ABC technique suggests that everything can be accomplished when spread over time, but there should be a priority order for tasks. 'A' represents the first, most important, and highest-priority tasks. 'B' represents moderately important tasks that can be postponed. 'C' represents tasks that can be postponed without causing problems when not done.

Goal-setting is another time management technique. It involves defining your goals, planning them, and writing them down in a planner or a to-do list. It includes long-term, medium-term, and short-term planning, goal-setting, visualizing these goals, self-motivation, and positive self-concept. Knowing what our goals are shows us where we want to go. After setting goals, planning and writing them down increases both productivity and motivation.

Effective use of time management depends on how time is organized, what problems may be encountered, knowing the reasons for these problems, and solving them. Generally, many factors that hinder efficient time management are self-imposed. It primarily stems from people either not knowing exactly what they want or not putting in the effort required to achieve their desires, which hinders effective time use. Individuals who know what they want have the motivation to reach their goals. Those who lack this motivation often have high stress levels and increased anxiety as they struggle to manage their time. Recognizing that time is passing and striving to make it meaningful is like trying to find meaning in life. It moves individuals from a depressive state to a more grateful one and leads them towards enjoying life more.

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Wed, 06 Sep 2023 14:45:30 +0300 Ayşenur Özmen
WAYS TO COPE WITH TRAUMAS https://psikoloji.sayedrablog.net/WAYS-TO-COPE-WITH-TRAUMAS https://psikoloji.sayedrablog.net/WAYS-TO-COPE-WITH-TRAUMAS Trauma occurs when an individual undergoes an event or situation that inflicts physical or emotional harm, poses a threat to their well-being, and disrupts their mental, physical, emotional, and social functioning. Such experiences are deeply disturbing and can shatter an individual's sense of control, making it challenging to integrate the event into their current reality. Trauma does not discriminate based on age, gender, socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, or sexual orientation, as it can affect anyone.

The effects of traumatic events place a significant burden on individuals, families, and societies. While some individuals are resilient and can navigate their lives without major negative impacts following a traumatic event, others may experience difficulties and exhibit symptoms of traumatic stress. Each person's reaction to trauma is unique and influenced by various factors, including past experiences, beliefs, perceptions, expectations, stress tolerance, and values.

It is crucial to understand that developing post-traumatic symptoms is not indicative of psychological weakness or deficiency. The impact of a traumatic situation largely depends on pre-existing factors, such as an individual's ability to process the experience without resorting to avoidance and the presence of protective factors.

For instance, in the context of war, although all soldiers are exposed to highly traumatic experiences, not all of them are diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). After a traumatic event, individuals are likely to experience post-traumatic stress symptoms, including sleep problems, flashbacks, and intense emotions for several weeks. However, if these symptoms persist beyond a few weeks or emerge months after the traumatic event has ended, it is crucial for the person to seek evaluation from a specialist for a potential PTSD diagnosis. The development or non-development of trauma symptoms at this point can be influenced by various factors, such as the individual's ability to process the experience without obvious avoidance and the presence of the aforementioned protective factors.

MAJOR TRAUMATIC EVENTS

According to the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders), PTSD trauma refers to any condition where an individual's bodily integrity and life are threatened, typically involving major traumas (referred to as major "T" traumas). Major "T" traumas are extraordinary and significant events that leave a person feeling powerless and devoid of control over their surroundings. The following are examples of major "T" traumas:

1. Sexual Assault 

Sexual assault encompasses non-consensual sexual behavior directed towards an adult or adolescent. It includes any forced sexual contact against the person's will, achieved through threats or physical force. Sexual assault encompasses various forms of sexual harassment and abuse, such as rape, fondling, and forced kissing. It is important to note that sexual assault is not limited to physical acts alone. For instance, coercing someone into sexual intercourse, engaging in unwanted sexual dialogues, pressuring individuals to view explicit content, or demanding unwanted sexual behavior are all forms of sexual abuse.

Child Abuse: Child abuse refers to the neglect or mistreatment of a child's well-being by a parent or caregiver. Neglect involves a failure to meet the child's basic needs, such as providing appropriate food, clothing, shelter, medical care, psychological health treatment, education, or adequate supervision. Exposing a child to dangerous environments that cause harm is also considered neglect.

Physical Abuse: Physical abuse encompasses any non-accidental injury or risk of injury to a child caused by a parent, guardian, or person responsible for their care. Physical abuse involves using physical violence to inflict harm on the child, whether to enforce obedience, punish, or vent anger. Examples of physical abuse include actions like applying pepper to the child's mouth, shaking, pushing, burning, or hitting.

Sexual Abuse: Sexual abuse involves situations where a child, unable to fully comprehend or give consent, is coerced or forced by an older adult (or someone at least six years older) to engage in sexual activities for the purpose of sexual gratification. This behavior goes against legal or social norms and is a form of sexual exploitation.

Emotional Abuse: Emotional abuse occurs when parents or adults in the child's environment impose unrealistic expectations, engage in offensive language, or undertake actions that impede emotional, social, and personality development. Examples of emotional abuse include yelling, rejecting, humiliating, cursing, leaving the child alone, misleading, intimidating, threatening, neglecting emotional needs, assigning responsibilities beyond their age, making unfair distinctions between siblings, disregarding their worth and care, mocking, using derogatory nicknames, applying excessive pressure, fostering dependency, and subjecting them to excessive protection. Child abuse and neglect not only lead to significant and often long-lasting psychological disorders but also increase the likelihood of experiencing sexual or physical assault later in life, commonly known as "re-victimization." Child abuse and neglect are considered the most significant risk factors for psychological difficulties resulting from traumatic events experienced later in life.

2. Domestic Violence 

Domestic violence refers to actual or threatened physical violence, sexual violence, and/or emotional violence occurring between adults in a close relationship. It occurs when one of the adults engages in physically or sexually aggressive behavior towards the other, including acts of humiliation, excessive criticism, stalking, and/or violence or threats against children, pets, or property. Such violence has severe consequences for both physical and psychological well-being.

3. Trauma Related to War

a) War-Related Trauma: War entails a wide range of violent and traumatic experiences, including death, the threat of mutilation, physical injuries, witnessing the injuries or death of others, and participating in injuring or killing others. As a result, soldiers directly involved in combat often suffer from traumatic stress symptoms and disorders.

b) Refugee and War Zone Trauma: Refugee trauma can occur as a consequence of living in an area affected by bombing, looting, or being forced to relocate due to political reasons. War zone trauma encompasses the psychological effects of war, political violence, or torture on individuals exposed to these circumstances.

c) Acts of Terrorism: Acts of terrorism are intentional acts of violence usually carried out for political or religious reasons, aiming to cause psychological or physical harm to an enemy. These acts often result in numerous injuries, deaths, or harm. Unfortunately, numerous examples of terrorism exist in various countries around the world.

d) Physical Assault by Strangers: Physical assault by strangers involves perpetrators engaging in physically violent behavior such as grabbing, extortion, beating, stabbing, and similar acts against individuals they do not know. The targets of these attacks are often chosen for robbery or to express the attacker's anger. Experiencing such an attack profoundly shakes a person's sense of security, leading to traumatic symptoms like fear and heightened vigilance.

4. Traumatic Loss

Traumatic loss and grief can occur following the sudden and unexpected death of a loved one, which may result from accidents, violence, or other unforeseen circumstances. The experience of a traumatic loss involves feelings of longing, searching, loneliness, as well as emotional distress characterized by lethargy, disbelief, insecurity, anger, emptiness, and a sense of hopelessness about the future. Individuals who undergo traumatic loss often struggle with inadequate coping skills to navigate the associated symptoms of trauma.

5. Natural Disasters

 Natural disasters, such as earthquakes, major fires, floods, tsunamis, hurricanes, avalanches, tornadoes, and volcanic eruptions, can cause significant harm, casualties, and extensive damage beyond human control. These events are usually sudden, unexpected, and overwhelming, exposing individuals to traumatizing situations such as injuries, fear of death, loss of loved ones, and property damage. People affected by natural disasters may exhibit various trauma symptoms, including intense and unpredictable emotions, flashbacks, difficulties with decision-making and concentration, as well as sleep and eating problems.

6. Fires

While large-scale fires are typically categorized as natural disasters, smaller-scale fires such as house fires, workplace fires, industrial fires, and firework accidents can also result in traumatic symptoms for individuals. The healing process for severe burn injuries, the painful nature of such injuries, and the multiple medical interventions involved can contribute to the recurrence of trauma symptoms.

7. Accidents

 Serious accidents, including plane, train, or motor vehicle accidents, can profoundly affect and traumatize the individuals involved. Experiencing significant injuries or the death of others in such accidents can lead to the development of severe psychological symptoms in a substantial portion of those affected. The intense shock experienced during an accident can trigger chemical changes in the brain that manifest as trauma symptoms. The effects of this type of trauma may persist for months or even years after the event. Ignoring or neglecting the impact of the trauma can exacerbate the situation. Some individuals may also alter their lifestyle or habits following accidents, such as avoiding driving or experiencing intense anxiety when faced with driving situations. Intense anxieties related to the traumatic event are common among accident survivors.

8. Medical Illnesses

Patients and their families exposed to serious illnesses, challenging medical procedures, and distressing treatment experiences can undergo extremely traumatic events, leading to the development of psychological and physical trauma symptoms. Conditions such as heart attacks, cancer, HIV/AIDS, strokes, or brain hemorrhages can be considered examples of traumatic diseases. Intensive care, surgeries, and other medical interventions that involve significant pain and fear can also contribute to trauma. Patients who have undergone major medical interventions, as well as their relatives who have witnessed the process, may exhibit symptoms of post-traumatic stress, such as depression and anxiety.

Coping with Trauma As previously mentioned, trauma is a profoundly overwhelming and challenging life event that disrupts a person's sense of security, control, and coping abilities. After experiencing a traumatic event, individuals may encounter intense emotions such as tension, anger, restlessness, depression, fear, panic, guilt, hopelessness, intolerance, helplessness, and shame. Temporary symptoms such as nightmares, sleep problems, flashbacks, avoidance, and heightened startle response may also arise. Typically, trauma symptoms last for a few days to a few months and gradually diminish as the individual processes the distressing event. However, even when one feels well, painful memories or emotions can occasionally be triggered, especially on the anniversary of the event or when confronted with reminders.

So, what can be done to overcome traumatic events?

  1. Avoid avoiding discussions about the incident. Contrary to popular belief, trying to forget the event and avoiding conversations about it does not reduce the effects of trauma. In fact, it can prolong the recovery process. Talking about the traumatic experience and seeking social support can help individuals cope with difficult emotions and facilitate the healing process. Therefore, it is important to confide in someone trustworthy and discuss what happened. Sharing with family or friends who can provide understanding and support can be immensely helpful during challenging times.

  2. While it is natural to desire to avoid distressing memories, completely avoiding places, situations, and people associated with the traumatic event can perpetuate the cycle of trauma. It is important to gradually confront and face the traumatic event without avoidance.

  3. Following a traumatic event, one may feel inclined to isolate oneself from others. However, withdrawing from social interactions and becoming lonely only exacerbate the problem. Spending time with others can contribute to a sense of well-being, so maintaining relationships and avoiding excessive solitude can aid in the healing process.

  4. Remember that the symptoms and emotions experienced after a traumatic event are entirely normal reactions. Allow yourself time to heal. Understand that the intense feelings will not persist indefinitely. By addressing and engaging with these emotions and thoughts instead of avoiding them, it is possible to overcome them. Practice self-compassion and accept that it may take time for these feelings and thoughts to find balance.

  5. Engage in activities that bring you joy and pleasure. Take time to relax, go for walks in beautiful places, and spend time with friends.

  6. Avoid using alcohol, drugs, or sedatives as coping mechanisms. They can exacerbate the situation. Seek healthier ways to relax and manage stress.

  7. If the symptoms continue to significantly impact your daily life, seek assistance from a mental health professional who specializes in trauma. They can provide guidance and support tailored to your specific needs.

Remember, recovering from trauma is a process that varies for each individual. It's important to be patient with yourself and seek help when needed.

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Fri, 16 Jun 2023 19:33:45 +0300 Rana Gülşen Pekel
DOES WHAT YOU EAT AFFECT YOUR DECISIONS? https://psikoloji.sayedrablog.net/DOES-WHAT-YOU-EAT-AFFECT-YOUR-DECISIONS https://psikoloji.sayedrablog.net/DOES-WHAT-YOU-EAT-AFFECT-YOUR-DECISIONS Willpower is a reaction to internal conflict. It occurs when we have the desire to engage in certain behaviors, such as smoking, playing sports, or eating a big lunch, but at the same time, we recognize that we should not do this.

The prefrontal lobe, located behind the forehead, acts as a control center for our willpower. This region is responsible for focus, attention, and decision-making. Just like our body, our brain needs proper care and nutrition to function optimally.

Several factors may contribute to the decrease in willpower:

  • Uncertainty in decision-making
  • Insufficient sleep
  • Fluctuations in daily glucose levels
  • Messy environment

In essence, most of the reasons that affect our willpower are related to physical conditions. Lack of rest and irregular sleep patterns can reduce cognitive abilities and impair self-control. Chronic insomnia can have effects similar to poisoning. Therefore, adhering to a recommended sleep cycle between 11 a.m. and 5 a.m. can strengthen our willpower.

In addition, our daily fluctuations in glucose levels can also weaken our willpower. The effect of sugar on our bodies often leads to irritability during periods of hunger. Natural sugar levels are affected, and artificial sugars can promote addictive tendencies similar to intoxication. Long periods without food during the day cause significant decreases in sugar levels, which can lead to impulsive eating without taking into account the nutritional value. The sudden increase in sugar disrupts our willpower, and fluctuating sugar levels can lead to insulin resistance, eventually resulting in irreversible diabetes. Getting rid of the vicious cycle after becoming addicted to sugar requires precise decision-making.

Considering that it makes up 70% of our body, the water level of the body is also an important factor in reducing willpower. Insufficient water intake can lead to problems in the body's conduction system and may even manifest as skin problems. Insufficient water consumption interferes with kidney function, which in turn affects the release of hormones, including stress hormones. This disturbance in hormonal balance can affect both mental and physical well-being. Some sources suggest that the quality of water is as important as the quantity. Choosing alkaline waters with a pH value above 7 can provide better body balance and reduce the risk of infection by creating an unfavorable environment for microorganisms.

An error in any of the above fields can disrupt the entire system. For example, incomplete nutrition negatively affects various aspects. However, if the system is properly nourished and balanced, it will function and develop optimally. The power to maintain control is in our hands. The will is not only psychological or physiological; rather, it encompasses the body, mind, and soul. We are what we eat, and our thoughts shape our reality.

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Fri, 16 Jun 2023 18:55:39 +0300 Rana Gülşen Pekel
Montessori Education and Psychology https://psikoloji.sayedrablog.net/montessori-education-and-psychology https://psikoloji.sayedrablog.net/montessori-education-and-psychology Montessori education, based on the principles developed by Maria Montessori, emphasizes personalized learning that encourages children to take responsibility for their own education. This approach allows children to learn at their own pace, according to their individual needs and interests.

One of the main goals of Montessori education is to help children develop independence and self-motivation. The classroom is designed to allow children to choose their own activities, and to explore and learn through hands-on experience. This approach encourages children to take an active role in their own learning, and to make their own decisions, which helps to build their self-confidence and independence. Montessori education also supports children's emotional development. Children are encouraged to express themselves and to use a variety of materials to explore and understand their feelings.

Montessori education emphasizes that learning is not limited to academic subjects. This approach allows children to discover their own skills and interests, and to learn about a wide range of subjects, including art, music, and sports. This helps children to develop a variety of skills and to express themselves in different ways.

In conclusion, Montessori education offers a unique approach to learning that personalizes the learning process, builds self-confidence and independence, supports emotional development, and encourages children to discover their own interests and skills. Psychology has greatly contributed to the development of Montessori education by supporting the principles upon which it is based, and has demonstrated its effectiveness.

Montessori education has been found to be effective in promoting children's academic achievement, as well as their social and emotional development. Studies have shown that Montessori-educated children often perform better on tests of academic achievement, and also demonstrate better social skills, such as cooperation and empathy, than their traditionally-educated peers.

In addition to its benefits for children, Montessori education also emphasizes the importance of the teacher's role in guiding and supporting children's learning. Montessori teachers act as facilitators, observing and guiding children as they explore and learn through hands-on activities. This approach encourages teachers to build relationships with children, and to support their individual needs and interests.

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Fri, 31 Mar 2023 17:00:28 +0300 Yelda Aslı Reyhan
"Anxiety" Song: Expressing Coping with Anxiety Through Music https://psikoloji.sayedrablog.net/anxiety-song-expressing-coping-with-anxiety-through-music https://psikoloji.sayedrablog.net/anxiety-song-expressing-coping-with-anxiety-through-music Firstly, I would like to focus on the lyrics of the song "Anxiety." The lyrics of the song address a topic that many people experience: anxiety. Michaels and Gomez discuss ways of coping with anxiety and how it makes one feel in the song. For example, the lyrics say:

My friends, they wanna take me to the movies
I tell em to fuck off, I'm holding hands with my depression
And when I think I'm overcoming
Anxiety starts kicking in and teach us a lesson
Oh, I try my best just to be social
I make all these plans with friends and hope they call and cancel
Then I overthink about the things I’m missing
Now I'm wishing, I was with 'em

These lyrics clearly express symptoms of anxiety that many people may experience. The songwriter discusses how depression is a part of their life and how they reject their friends' help despite wanting to get rid of it. The songwriter makes an effort to be social but their worries cause them to withdraw from social life. This section illustrates the possible effects of social anxiety, depression, and social isolation on a person's relationships with others.
The line "Anxiety starts kicking in and teach us a lesson" emphasizes the difficulties that anxiety can give a person. The song also expresses that the person makes an effort to be a part of their social life but often expects their plans to be canceled and overthinks their social interactions.

Feel like I'm always apologising for feeling
Like I'm out of my mind when I'm doing just fine
But my exes all say that I'm hard to deal with
And I admit, and I admit, oh

In this section, the songwriter expresses a common experience for people struggling with anxiety. They acknowledge feeling emotional difficulty and constantly feeling the need to apologize. When experiencing anxiety, people often blame themselves and try to prove to others that they are "okay." However, in reality, they display these behaviors because they feel a sense of distress inside. Additionally, they admit that their past partners found it difficult to deal with them. This section demonstrates how a lack of self-esteem and low self-confidence can make coping with emotional problems more challenging.

But all my friends they don't know, what it's like, what it's like
They don't understand why, I can't sleep trough the night
I've been told that I could take something to fix it
Then I wish it, I wish it was that simple, ah, ah
But all my friends they don't know, what it's like

In this section, the songwriter expresses that their friends do not understand their emotional difficulties. Additionally, some people suggest taking something to fix the issue, but the songwriter acknowledges that the solution is not that simple. This section emphasizes the importance of social support and empathy.


In this section, the songwriter reflects on a situation experienced by people who feel anxiety. They express the constant thoughts racing through their minds and their uncontrollable nature. Anxiety is characterized by the constant thoughts and worries that occupy our minds. Many of these thoughts may be exaggerated, but they still take over our minds. Additionally, even though they say they are fine most of the time, they cannot seem to tell anyone what is really going on inside. This section shows that mental health issues are associated with privacy and a sense of shame.

So, what is there from a psychological perspective in this song? Anxiety has become a prevalent condition, especially in recent years. However, the way this condition is reflected in music is a relatively new development. The song "Anxiety" can be evaluated as an example that brings the topic of anxiety into music.

Anxiety is primarily a state of worry. It is characterized by various worries such as the fear that something will go wrong, a sense of threat, or a fear of coping with a situation that is beyond your control. The feeling of anxiety can significantly affect people's lives. This condition can make it difficult for people to maintain their daily lives, hinder their social interactions, and even cause physical symptoms.
The feeling of anxiety originates from the amygdala, a region of the brain. The amygdala activates the alarm system in the body in response to any situation it perceives as a threat and triggers a series of physiological reactions, including an increase in heart rate, faster breathing, sweating, trembling, and muscle tension.

The lyrics and theme of the song appeal to people struggling with anxiety and create awareness about this issue. Michaels and Gomez promise to support each other in dealing with this condition in the song. This is an essential message for people fighting anxiety because it often makes them feel alone and makes it difficult for them to seek help.
The melody of the song also reflects the tension and anxiety caused by anxiety. The rhythms and instruments used in the song emphasize the constantly racing thoughts in the mind and the speed of the heartbeat.

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Thu, 30 Mar 2023 20:15:41 +0300 Yelda Aslı Reyhan
5 Ways to Cope with Trauma in Natural Disasters https://psikoloji.sayedrablog.net/5-ways-to-cope-with-trauma-in-natural-disasters https://psikoloji.sayedrablog.net/5-ways-to-cope-with-trauma-in-natural-disasters Natural disasters are unexpected events that can happen anywhere in the world. Natural disasters such as earthquakes, storms, floods, fires and tsunamis can cause physical, emotional and material damage to people. These events have a profound effect on people and are seen as a traumatic experience. Disasters can endanger people's lives, cause families to break up, financial losses, and people need to restructure their lives. Therefore, it is important to learn ways to cope with natural disaster trauma.

Natural disasters can affect physical and emotional health. Besides physical damage, people can also experience emotional stress. Therefore, after natural disasters, people are at higher risk of experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD can prevent a person from remembering events, concentrating, and performing daily functions. In this situation, it is important to deal with natural disasters in a healthy way.

Here are suggestions for dealing with natural disaster trauma:

You need to feel safe

In natural disasters, people can be in physical danger. To feel safe, it is important to first provide shelter and adequate food and water. Meeting people's need for survival takes precedence over all other needs. Therefore, during a natural disaster, your priority should always be to stay safe.

Meet Your Mental and Physical Needs

During a natural disaster, people can be under stress. Therefore, it is important to stay calm and meet your physical and mental needs. To lower the stress level, you can meditate, breathe deeply, or do yoga. Aside from these, adequate nutrition and sleep are important for maintaining mental health. Also, if you are injured, you should seek medical attention.

Connect with Supporting People

After a natural disaster, people need psychological support. Therefore, joining a support group or meeting with a therapist

It is important to meet people's emotional needs. Also, staying in close contact with family and friends can help people cope with the trauma of natural disasters. Being emotionally supported can help people get through things and move on with their lives.

Give Yourself Time

Natural disasters can completely change people's lives. That's why it's important for people to give themselves time, let things happen, and process the emotional stress they're experiencing. It can take time for people to recover emotionally, so expecting a quick recovery is a possible cruelty towards people themselves. By giving yourself time, you can process your trauma and heal.

Help Yourself

Natural disasters can turn people's lives upside down and it's important that people help themselves. Self-help can reduce the risk of injury and help you feel empowered. It is also important that people are prepared to meet their physical and mental needs. Preparation in advance allows people to help themselves and their families during a natural disaster.

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Tue, 28 Feb 2023 22:01:09 +0300 Yelda Aslı Reyhan