Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is the pathological preoccupation with an imagined or exaggerated defect in one’s physical appearance. The struggle with self-image, self-esteem, and self-love affects boys and girls alike. Common Signs and Symptoms Preoccupation with your physical appearace with extreme self-consciousness. Frequent examination of yourself in the mirror, orContinue Reading
Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) has received the most research to date of the new classiciation of obsessive-compulsive related disorders. People with body dysmorphic disorder are preoccupied with the belief that they have a particular body defect or flaw. In reality, the perceived flaw is usually imagined or greatly exaggerated inContinue Reading
Norepinephrine, also known as noradrenaline, is the chemical cousin of Dopamine. It is important in sexual arousal and sexual memory and is similar to Epinephrine (or Adrenaline). It is found throughout the brain and can act as a stress hormone, directing response to such things as flight, fear, anxiety, panic,Continue Reading
Memories of traumatic events can lay dormant just beneath our consciousness, often for days, weeks or months. A triggering event can cause intense emotional and physical sensations that bring the trauma right back as if the event is happening all over again. There are important reasons why memories of traumaticContinue Reading
People can be afraid of almost anything. We can be afraid of the truth, afraid of fortune, afraid of death, even afraid of each other, observed Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882). Why Are We So Afraid? We learn fear as a child. Children learn from their falls and near-falls and becomeContinue Reading
Social Nonconformity is characterized as atypical behavior or nonconformity that may underlie some psychological disorders. Social Nonconformity refers to disobeying public standards for acceptable conduct. Extreme nonconformity can lead to destructive or self-destructive behavior. Examples to consider might be a drug abuser or a prostitute. However, we must be carefulContinue Reading
Worrying is a natural response to the expectation of future problems. And it affects just about everyone to some degree. But worry can become a serious problem if it takes up most of your time. You have a problem with worry when you often feel anxious about a future event,Continue Reading
Americans are four times more likely to suffer from Generalized Anxiety than Mexicans living south of the border, according to a 2002 World Health Organization (WHO) study. Other studies have found that Mexicans recover from anxiety attacks twice as quickly as Americans. However, Mexicans who migrate to the United StatesContinue Reading
There are many types of defense mechanisms (Sigmund Freud referred to these as self-deceptions) that we use to help us deal with anxiety. They can be very rewarding in reducing stressful feelings. Once we learn how to use them and see how well they work, these defense mechanisms can beContinue Reading
Sigmund Freud (1856-1939) saw the interaction of The Id, The Ego and The Superego as a delicate balance of power within a constantly conflicting mental process. You feel anxiety when the Ego is threatened or overwhelmed. Each personality develops ways of calming these anxieties, and many resort to using Ego-defenseContinue Reading