Author Archives: Shervan K Shahhian, LIBERTY PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION, The Most Comprehensive Online Library Regarding Mental Health, Psychology and Parapsychology in the World.

Doctored Degree in Clinical Psychology (PSYD) (ABD) All But Dissertation, a Masters (M.A.) in Clinical Psychology, a Bachelor's Degree (B.A.) in Psychology, a Associate Degree (AA) in Liberal Arts with an emphases in Psychology, Certification in Anger Management, Certification in MRT-Moral Reconation Therapy®, Certification in Clinical Hypnotherapy, and Certification in Advanced Hypnotherapy.

Understanding Environmental triggers to Trauma and Stress:

Understanding Environmental triggers to Trauma and Stress:

Environmental triggers to trauma and stress are external factors that can evoke distressing emotions, memories, or physiological responses in an individual. These triggers can vary widely depending on a person’s past experiences, sensitivities, and coping mechanisms.

Here are some key categories of environmental triggers:

1. Sensory Triggers

  • Sounds — Loud noises, alarms, shouting, or sounds associated with a traumatic event (e.g., gunfire, explosions, car accidents).
  • Visual Cues — Certain images, places, or people that resemble past trauma (e.g., a hospital setting for someone who experienced a medical emergency).
  • Smells — Scents linked to distressing memories, such as smoke, alcohol, or perfumes.
  • Touch — Unwanted physical contact, textures, or sensations reminiscent of past trauma.
  • Tastes — Foods or drinks associated with a traumatic experience.

2. Social and Relational Triggers

  • Conflict and Arguments — Verbal fights, criticism, or rejection can reactivate old wounds.
  • Abandonment or Isolation — Being left out, ignored, or feeling unloved.
  • Authority Figures — Certain individuals (bosses, teachers, or police) may remind someone of past oppression or trauma.
  • Lack of Control — Feeling powerless in social situations or relationships.

3. Physical and Environmental Settings

  • Crowded Spaces — Malls, concerts, or packed public transport can be overwhelming.
  • Confined Spaces — Elevators, small rooms, or being trapped can trigger panic or anxiety.
  • Natural Disasters — Thunderstorms, earthquakes, or wildfires can evoke past trauma.
  • Medical Environments — Hospitals, clinics, or the sight of medical instruments may trigger distress.

4. Emotional and Psychological Triggers

  • Anniversaries — Specific dates related to past trauma (e.g., the anniversary of a loved one’s death).
  • Feeling Judged or Invalidated — Dismissal of emotions can lead to stress.
  • Failure or Perceived Incompetence — Situations where a person feels they are not good enough.
  • Loss of Control or Uncertainty — Feeling overwhelmed by an unpredictable situation.

5. Societal and Cultural Triggers

  • News and Media — Stories about violence, injustice, or discrimination can be distressing.
  • Discrimination and Prejudice — Racism, sexism, or other biases can trigger stress responses.
  • Political and Social Turmoil — War, protests, or instability can evoke fear and anxiety.

Coping with Environmental Triggers

  1. Identify Triggers — Keep track of situations that cause distress.
  2. Develop Grounding Techniques — Use deep breathing, mindfulness, or sensory grounding (e.g., focusing on an object).
  3. Create Safe Spaces — Avoid known triggers when possible and establish calming environments.
  4. Seek Support — Talking to trusted friends, family, or professionals can help process triggers.
  5. Practice Self-Regulation — Engage in activities like meditation, journaling, or physical exercise to reduce stress responses.

Shervan K Shahhian

Addiction and Withdrawal Symptoms:

Addiction and Withdrawal Symptoms:

Addiction and withdrawal symptoms can vary depending on the substance or behavior involved.

Here’s a breakdown of common withdrawal symptoms for different types of addiction:

1. Substance Addiction (e.g., Alcohol, Drugs)

  • Alcohol:
  • Anxiety
  • Tremors (shaking)
  • Sweating
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Headaches
  • Irritability
  • Seizures (in severe cases)
  • Delirium tremens (DTs) in extreme cases, which may include confusion, hallucinations, and rapid heart rate
  • Opioids (e.g., Heroin, Prescription painkillers):
  • Muscle aches
  • Sweating and chills
  • Anxiety and agitation
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Insomnia
  • Dilated pupils
  • Increased heart rate
  • Nicotine:
  • Irritability or frustration
  • Anxiety
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Increased appetite
  • Insomnia
  • Cravings for nicotine
  • Caffeine:
  • Headaches
  • Fatigue
  • Irritability
  • Low mood
  • Difficulty concentrating

2. Behavioral Addiction (e.g., Gambling, Internet, Shopping)

  • Gambling:
  • Restlessness or irritability
  • Anxiety and depression
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Cravings to gamble
  • Mood swings
  • Internet or Social Media:
  • Restlessness or irritability
  • Anxiety
  • Depression or low mood
  • Strong cravings to check social media or websites
  • Decreased ability to focus or be present
  • Shopping:
  • Restlessness or irritability
  • Anxiety or depression
  • Impulsive thoughts about shopping
  • Emotional distress from not engaging in the behavior

Common Factors in Addiction and Withdrawal:

  • Cravings: A strong desire or urge to use the substance or engage in the behavior again.
  • Mood Disturbances: Anxiety, depression, irritability, and even anger are common during withdrawal.
  • Physical Symptoms: Sweating, tremors, muscle pain, nausea, and headaches are often seen in physical withdrawal.
  • Cognitive Effects: Difficulty concentrating, confusion, and lack of motivation can also occur.

Withdrawal can be dangerous for some substances (like alcohol, opioids, and benzodiazepines), so it’s important to seek professional help if you’re going through withdrawal symptoms. Treatment often involves medical supervision, counseling, and sometimes medications to ease symptoms.

Shervan K Shahhian

Blackouts are one of the Consequences of Addiction:

“If you are experiencing blackouts, seek medical attention immediately.”

Blackouts are one of the Consequences of Addiction:

Yes, blackouts can be a consequence of addiction, particularly with substances like alcohol or drugs. A blackout refers to a period of memory loss where a person is unable to recall events, even though they were awake and conscious during that time. This occurs due to the substance’s effect on the brain, disrupting memory formation, especially in the hippocampus, which is responsible for storing long-term memories.

In cases of alcohol addiction, for example, drinking large amounts in a short period (binge drinking) can lead to a blackout. The severity and frequency can increase with continued use. Other substances, like certain prescription drugs or recreational drugs, can also cause blackouts depending on how they affect brain chemistry.

It’s important to note that blackouts are not the same as passing out, where a person loses consciousness. Blackouts specifically involve memory loss while still being awake and active.

Shervan K Shahhian

Mental preoccupation and/or obsession with using and Abusing Substances:

Mental preoccupation and/or obsession with using and Abusing Substances:

Mental preoccupation and obsession with using and abusing substances often stem from a combination of psychological, emotional, and sometimes physical factors. When someone is mentally preoccupied with substances, their thoughts may revolve around when they can use them next, how to obtain them, and how to justify their use. This can be a cycle of cravings and negative reinforcement that worsens over time.

There are several reasons why someone might develop this kind of obsession:

Escape from Reality: Substance use can often serve as a way to numb painful emotions or experiences. When people are mentally overwhelmed or dealing with trauma, they may turn to substances to temporarily escape or dull those feelings.

Habitual and Physiological Dependency: With continued use, the body can develop a tolerance, meaning the person has to consume more of the substance to achieve the same effect. This can lead to compulsive use and obsession as the person is physically dependent on it.

Dopamine and Reward System: Substances often trigger the brain’s reward system, releasing dopamine (the “feel-good” neurotransmitter). Over time, the brain can become reliant on this artificially induced feeling, making it harder to stop using the substance without experiencing withdrawal symptoms.

Psychological Factors: Some individuals may have underlying mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, or ADHD that make them more susceptible to using substances as a coping mechanism. This can lead to an obsession with the relief that substances provide.

Social and Environmental Influences: Peer pressure, environmental stressors, or a history of substance use in a person’s family or social circle can increase the risk of developing an obsession with substances.

Recovery from substance abuse often involves addressing both the mental obsession and the physical addiction. Therapy, support groups, and sometimes medication can help people break the cycle of preoccupation and obsession with substance use. If this is something you’re concerned about, seeking professional support is crucial.

Shervan K Shahhian

Intimacy Addiction, what is it:

Intimacy Addiction, what is it:

Intimacy addiction, also known as relationship addiction, occurs when a person becomes overly dependent on intimate relationships to feel validated, complete, or secure. It involves a compulsive need to be in a close, often romantic, relationship, and can manifest in unhealthy patterns of behavior, such as:

  • Constantly seeking approval and validation from partners.
  • Neglecting personal needs or interests in favor of the relationship.
  • Over-identifying with romantic partners, often losing a sense of self.
  • Fear of abandonment or rejection, which can lead to unhealthy attachment or possessiveness.
  • Repeatedly staying in toxic or emotionally draining relationships due to an overwhelming need for intimacy or closeness.

The addiction is driven by a need to feel loved, wanted, or validated, often due to deep-seated insecurities or emotional wounds. While healthy relationships are important, intimacy addiction can create a cycle of unhealthy dependencies that hinder personal growth and well-being.

Therapy or counseling is typically recommended to help address the underlying emotional issues and develop healthier, more balanced relationships.

Shervan K Shahhian

Multiple Drug use and abuse are more likely to cause Schizophrenia, Bipolar disorder, Major Depressive disorder, and Personality disorders, why:

Multiple Drug use and abuse are more likely to cause Schizophrenia, Bipolar disorder, Major Depressive disorder, and Personality disorders, why:

Multiple drug use and abuse can increase the risk of mental health disorders like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, and personality disorders for several reasons:

Neurochemical Imbalance: Drugs alter the balance of neurotransmitters in the brain, which regulate mood, thought patterns, and behavior. For example, substances like cocaine, methamphetamine, and hallucinogens can overstimulate the brain’s reward system or affect the serotonin and dopamine systems, which play crucial roles in mood regulation. Over time, this disruption can increase the risk of developing conditions like bipolar disorder or schizophrenia.

Genetic Vulnerability: Some people may be genetically predisposed to mental health disorders, and substance abuse can act as a trigger or exacerbate underlying vulnerabilities. For example, individuals with a family history of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder may be more likely to develop these conditions if they engage in heavy drug use.

Chronic Stress: Drug abuse often leads to a stressful lifestyle, with financial, relational, and legal problems. Chronic stress can trigger or worsen mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, and psychotic disorders. Prolonged exposure to stress can damage brain areas involved in emotional regulation and cognition, further increasing the risk of mental health disorders.

Cognitive Impairment: Drugs, especially when used in combination, can impair cognitive function, such as memory, concentration, and decision-making. Long-term drug use can lead to changes in brain structure and function that mimic or trigger the symptoms of certain mental health disorders.

Hallucinogens and Psychosis: Drugs like LSD, PCP, or synthetic cannabinoids can induce hallucinations and delusions, which may mimic or trigger psychotic disorders like schizophrenia. In some cases, prolonged use of these substances can lead to persistent psychosis, even after the drug is no longer in the system.

Mood Regulation: Drugs like alcohol, marijuana, and stimulants can have a direct effect on mood, either by elevating it (euphoria) or causing depressive episodes. Substance-induced mood disorders can evolve into long-term conditions, such as major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder, especially when the individual is using drugs to cope with underlying issues.

Personality Changes: Chronic drug use can affect personality and behavior, often leading to erratic or impulsive actions. Over time, this can lead to personality disorders, especially when combined with environmental factors like trauma or unstable childhoods.

In summary, the combination of neurochemical changes, genetic vulnerability, stress, cognitive impairment, and mood dysregulation associated with drug abuse can significantly increase the risk of developing serious mental health disorders.

Shervan K Shahhian

Long-term impacts Of Substance Abuse on Brain Health:

Long-term impacts Of Substance Abuse on Brain Health:

Substance abuse can have significant long-term effects on brain health, affecting various cognitive, emotional, and physical aspects of the brain. The severity and nature of these effects depend on factors like the substance used, frequency of use, and the individual’s unique biology and genetics.

Here are some key long-term impacts:

1. Cognitive Impairment:

  • Memory and Learning: Prolonged use of substances like alcohol, opioids, and stimulants can impair short-term and long-term memory. The brain regions responsible for learning and memory, such as the hippocampus, are particularly vulnerable.
  • Attention and Decision-Making: Long-term substance abuse can reduce the brain’s ability to focus, make decisions, and engage in problem-solving. Cognitive functions may become slower, and individuals might find it challenging to concentrate on tasks.

2. Neuroplasticity and Brain Structure:

  • Neurodegeneration: Chronic use of substances like alcohol, cocaine, and methamphetamine can lead to the loss of neurons (brain cells) and reduced gray matter in areas of the brain responsible for cognition, movement, and emotional regulation.
  • Altered Brain Connectivity: Substance abuse can disrupt the brain’s communication network, making it harder for different regions of the brain to work together effectively. This can result in problems with coordination, emotional regulation, and overall functioning.

3. Mental Health Disorders:

  • Depression and Anxiety: Long-term substance abuse is strongly linked to the development or worsening of mood disorders, including depression and anxiety. Chronic drug use can alter the balance of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, which regulate mood and emotional responses.
  • Psychosis and Paranoia: Certain substances, especially stimulants (like methamphetamine) and hallucinogens, can induce or exacerbate psychosis, leading to symptoms like paranoia, hallucinations, and delusions.

4. Impaired Reward System:

  • Dopamine Dysregulation: The brain’s reward system, which involves dopamine, can be severely altered by substance abuse. Drugs like cocaine, opioids, and alcohol artificially boost dopamine levels, but over time, the brain becomes less sensitive to natural rewards and may require increasing amounts of the substance to achieve the same effect. This can lead to compulsive drug-seeking behavior and addiction.

5. Increased Risk for Neurodegenerative Diseases:

  • Chronic substance abuse can increase the risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Long-term damage to neurons and the brain’s communication networks can make individuals more susceptible to cognitive decline and memory loss in later life.

6. Executive Functioning and Emotional Regulation:

  • Substance abuse can impair the brain’s prefrontal cortex, which plays a key role in decision-making, impulse control, and emotional regulation. This can result in risky behavior, poor judgment, and difficulty managing emotions, which are common challenges for individuals with a history of substance abuse.

7. Increased Vulnerability to Addiction:

  • Long-term substance use changes the brain in ways that make individuals more vulnerable to developing addictions to other substances or even to certain behaviors (like gambling or food addiction). The brain’s reward pathways become hijacked, and the individual may find it difficult to experience pleasure from anything other than the substance itself.

8. Sleep and Circadian Rhythms:

  • Chronic substance abuse can severely disrupt sleep patterns and circadian rhythms. Many substances (e.g., alcohol, stimulants, and sedatives) can interfere with the natural sleep-wake cycle, leading to problems like insomnia, irregular sleep, or poor-quality sleep. Over time, this can worsen cognitive and emotional health.

9. Increased Sensitivity to Stress:

  • Substance abuse can alter the brain’s response to stress. The amygdala (the brain region involved in processing emotions) and the hypothalamus (responsible for regulating stress hormones) can become more sensitive over time, making it harder for individuals to cope with stress in healthy ways.

10. Impact on Brain Development (in Adolescents):

  • Substance abuse during adolescence, when the brain is still developing, can have particularly severe long-term effects. It can interfere with the development of cognitive functions like executive functioning, memory, and impulse control, leading to lasting deficits in learning and behavior.

In sum, substance abuse can have a profound and long-lasting impact on brain health, affecting everything from memory and cognition to emotional stability and mental health. Treatment and recovery from substance abuse can help mitigate some of these effects, but the extent of recovery depends on factors like the duration and severity of the abuse, age of onset, and the individual’s overall health.

Shervan K Shahhian

Empathy, what does it mean exactly:

Empathy, what does it mean exactly:

Empathy is the ability to understand, share, and connect with the feelings or experiences of others.

It involves not only recognizing what someone else is going through but also being able to emotionally resonate with them. Empathy has a few layers:

Cognitive empathy: Understanding someone else’s thoughts and feelings from a mental standpoint. It’s about grasping what the other person is experiencing, but not necessarily feeling it yourself.

Emotional empathy: Feeling what another person feels. It’s like “catching” their emotions and experiencing them on an emotional level.

Compassionate empathy: Beyond understanding and feeling, compassionate empathy leads to taking action. It motivates you to support or help the person in need.

In short, empathy connects people by allowing us to step into others’ shoes, whether through intellectual understanding or shared emotional experience. Does this align with how you’ve thought about empathy?

Intellectual understanding:

Intellectual understanding, in the context of empathy, refers to the ability to grasp or comprehend another person’s thoughts, emotions, or situation without necessarily sharing in those feelings. It’s more about mentally recognizing what someone is going through. For example, if a friend tells you they’re struggling with stress at work, intellectual empathy would involve understanding why they feel that way, what causes that stress, and what it might be like for them, even if you’re not feeling stressed yourself.

This type of empathy can help you respond thoughtfully and offer advice or support, even if you don’t fully experience the emotions the other person is having. It’s the “knowing” part of empathy without the emotional “feeling” part.

Emotional empathy:

Emotional empathy goes deeper than intellectual understanding. It involves feeling what the other person is feeling, almost as if you’re emotionally experiencing their situation alongside them. It’s the ability to “catch” their emotions — whether it’s sadness, joy, frustration, or excitement. This kind of empathy helps you connect with others on a more intimate, emotional level.

For example, if a friend is going through a tough time, emotional empathy would make you feel their pain or sadness too, almost like you’re sharing the burden with them. It helps create strong bonds between people because you’re not just understanding their experience but also emotionally resonating with it.

Emotional empathy can sometimes feel intense because you’re directly affected by the emotions of others, but it also makes interactions feel more genuine and compassionate.

Shervan K Shahhian

Understanding the 7 Types of ADD:

https://danielamenmd.com

Understanding the 7 Types of ADD:

Dr. Daniel Amen, a psychiatrist specializing in brain health, identified seven types of ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) based on brain imaging studies. These types go beyond the traditional understanding of ADHD as just hyperactive or inattentive. Each type has different symptoms and

The 7 Types of ADD:

Classic ADD

  • Symptoms: Inattention, distractibility, impulsivity, hyperactivity, restlessness.
  • Brain Pattern: Decreased activity in the prefrontal cortex when focusing.
  • Treatment: Stimulant medications (e.g., Ritalin, Adderall), exercise, protein-rich diet.

Inattentive ADD

  • Symptoms: Easily distracted, disorganized, forgetful, trouble following through.
  • Brain Pattern: Reduced activity in the prefrontal cortex.
  • Treatment: Stimulants, diet, coaching for structure and organization.

Over-Focused ADD

Symptoms: Trouble shifting attention, obsessive thoughts, difficulty with flexibility, opposition to change.

  • Brain Pattern: Overactivity in the anterior cingulate gyrus.
  • Treatment: Strategies to increase dopamine and serotonin (e.g., exercise, meditation, supplements).

Temporal Lobe ADD

  • Symptoms: Irritability, mood swings, memory problems, aggression, temper outbursts.
  • Brain Pattern: Dysfunction in the temporal lobes.
  • Treatment: Anticonvulsants, psychotherapy, relaxation techniques.

Limbic ADD

Symptoms: Persistent sadness, low energy, low self-esteem, negativity, but without full clinical depression.

  • Brain Pattern: Overactivity in the limbic system.
  • Treatment: Boosting dopamine (e.g., exercise, bright light therapy), targeted medications.

Ring of Fire ADD

  • Symptoms: Extreme moodiness, overreaction, anxiety, sensitivity to sounds and lights, oppositional behavior.
  • Brain Pattern: Hyperactivity across the brain.
  • Treatment: Elimination diets (to remove food sensitivities), calming supplements (e.g., GABA, magnesium), lifestyle adjustments.

Anxious ADD

  • Symptoms: Inattention combined with chronic anxiety, physical stress symptoms, fearfulness, tension.
  • Brain Pattern: Overactivity in the basal ganglia.
  • Treatment: Relaxation strategies, GABA-promoting foods, supplements, and sometimes anti-anxiety medication.

Each type responds differently to treatments, which is why a personalized approach is key. Dr. Amen emphasizes brain imaging and lifestyle modifications alongside medication and therapy.

https://danielamenmd.com

Shervan K Shahhian

Parapsychology and the Cross-Cultural Perspectives:

Parapsychology and the Cross-Cultural Perspectives:

Parapsychology, the study of psychic phenomena such as telepathy, remote viewing, psychokinesis, and near-death experiences, takes on different meanings and interpretations across cultures. Cross-cultural perspectives on parapsychology highlight how different societies understand and integrate paranormal experiences into their belief systems, traditions, and scientific inquiries.

Indigenous and Shamanic Traditions

  • Many indigenous cultures embrace parapsychological phenomena as part of their spiritual practices. Shamans, medicine men, and spiritual leaders often claim to communicate with spirits, foresee events, and heal through non-physical means.
  • Examples:
  • Native American traditions emphasize vision quests, spirit communication, and energy medicine.
  • Amazonian shamans use ayahuasca to access altered states of consciousness for healing and divination.
  • African spiritual traditions include ancestor veneration, possession states, and psychic healing.

Eastern Mysticism and Psychic Phenomena

  • In Hinduism, Buddhism, and Taoism, paranormal abilities are often seen as natural extensions of spiritual development.
  • Examples:
  • Siddhis in Hinduism: Advanced meditators or yogis are believed to develop supernatural abilities such as telepathy, levitation, and mind-over-matter control.
  • Tibetan Buddhism: Monks practicing deep meditation claim to achieve clairvoyance, remote viewing, and even mind projection.
  • Chinese Qigong masters: Some practitioners report abilities to manipulate energy (Qi) for healing and paranormal feats.

Western Scientific and Skeptical Approaches

  • Western science traditionally approaches parapsychology with skepticism, demanding rigorous empirical evidence.
  • While organizations like the Rhine Research Center and Institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS) study psychic phenomena, mainstream science largely dismisses parapsychology due to challenges in reproducibility and control.
  • However, certain subfields, such as Controlled Remote Viewing (CRV) and near-death experience research, have gained attention in military, medical, and consciousness studies.

Latin American and Caribbean Beliefs

  • A strong connection to spiritualism, folk magic, and syncretic religions (such as Santería, Candomblé, and Espiritismo) shapes perspectives on paranormal experiences.
  • Examples:
  • Espiritismo: A belief system in which mediums communicate with spirits.
  • Santería and Voodoo: Incorporate spirit possession, divination, and ritual magic.

6. Cross-Cultural Parapsychology in Modern Research

  • Global parapsychological research suggests that psychic experiences may be universal but culturally filtered through different beliefs, languages, and social constructs.
  • Studies show that people from all cultures report near-death experiences, out-of-body experiences, and telepathic occurrences, but interpret them based on their cultural and religious backgrounds.

Conclusion

Parapsychology is deeply influenced by cultural perspectives. While Western science often seeks empirical validation, many indigenous, Eastern, and spiritual traditions accept psychic phenomena as a natural part of reality. The challenge lies in integrating these diverse viewpoints into a broader understanding of human consciousness and the unknown.

Shervan K Shahhian