A Malignant Narcissist may not be an official mental health diagnosis, but,…

A Malignant Narcissist may not be an official mental health diagnosis, but a term used to describe a particularly severe pattern of narcissistic traits combined with other harmful characteristics.

Someone described as having malignant narcissistic traits may exhibit:

  • An exaggerated sense of superiority and entitlement.
  • A strong need for admiration and control.
  • Little or no empathy for others.
  • Exploitative or manipulative behavior.
  • Aggression, cruelty, or enjoyment of humiliating others.
  • Paranoia or extreme suspicion.
  • A tendency to retaliate when criticized or challenged (“narcissistic rage”).

This is considered more severe than typical Narcissistic personality disorder because it may also include antisocial, paranoid, and sometimes sadistic features.

Common behaviors

A person with these traits might:

  • Gaslight others and distort reality.
  • Charm people initially, then become controlling.
  • Blame others for their mistakes.
  • Use intimidation or threats to maintain power.
  • Show little remorse after hurting someone.

Important note

It’s not possible to diagnose someone based on a few behaviors or stories. Many people may act selfishly, manipulatively, or angrily without having a personality disorder. A diagnosis requires a comprehensive assessment by a qualified mental health professional.

Shervan K Shahhian

Self-Destructive Behaviors are patterns of thinking or acting that cause harm,…

Please, Consult with a Medical Doctor/Psychiatrist

Self-Destructive Behaviors are patterns of thinking or acting that cause harm to a person’s physical, emotional, social, financial, or psychological well-being, either immediately or over time. Sometimes these behaviors are intentional, but they maybe indirect or unconscious attempts to cope with overwhelming emotions, trauma, stress, or unmet psychological needs.

Self-destructive behaviors may provide temporary relief from emotional pain, but they usually create greater problems in the long run.

Common Types of Self-Destructive Behaviors

1. Physical Self-Harm

Deliberately injuring oneself without suicidal intent: Please, Consult with a Medical Doctor/Psychiatrist

Examples: Please, Consult with a Medical Doctor/Psychiatrist

  • Cutting
  • Burning
  • Hitting oneself
  • Scratching until bleeding
  • Hair pulling (in some cases)

Possible functions:

  • Reducing emotional distress
  • Feeling something during emotional numbness
  • Self-punishment
  • Regaining a sense of control

2. Substance Misuse and Abuse: Please, Consult with a Medical Doctor/Psychiatrist

Using alcohol or drugs in ways that damage health or functioning.

Examples:

  • Alcohol misuse and abuse: Please, Consult with a Medical Doctor/Psychiatrist
  • Misuse of prescription medications: Please, Consult with a Medical Doctor/Psychiatrist
  • Illicit drug use and abuse: Please, Consult with a Medical Doctor/Psychiatrist
  • Repeated intoxication despite consequences: Please, Consult with a Medical Doctor/Psychiatrist

Reasons may include:

  • Escaping painful emotions
  • Coping with trauma
  • Temporary emotional relief
  • Social pressure
  • Self numbing

3. Self-Sabotage

Behaviors that undermine one’s own success and/or well-being and/or future.

Examples:

  • Missing important deadlines
  • Procrastination that repeatedly causes serious consequences
  • Quitting meaningful goals prematurely
  • Damaging healthy relationships
  • Turning down opportunities because of fear of success

Often associated with:

  • Fear of failure
  • Fear of success
  • Low self-esteem
  • Perfectionism
  • Self Sabotage
  • Self hate

4. Risk-Taking Behaviors

Engaging in unnecessarily dangerous activities.

Examples:

  • Reckless driving
  • Unsafe sexual behavior: Please, Consult with a Medical Doctor/Psychiatrist
  • Dangerous thrill seeking
  • Repeated physical fights

These behaviors may reflect:

  • Impulsivity
  • Sensation seeking
  • Difficulty regulating emotions
  • Self-sabotage

5. Disordered Eating

Eating behaviors that significantly harm physical health or psychological health: Please, Consult with a Medical Doctor/Psychiatrist

Examples: Please, Consult with a Medical Doctor/Psychiatrist

  • Restrictive eating
  • Binge eating
  • Purging
  • Compulsive overeating

These behaviors may often be linked to:

  • Emotional regulation
  • Body image concerns
  • Anxiety
  • Trauma

6. Staying in Harmful Relationships

Remaining in relationships that involve emotional, physical, or psychological harm.

Reasons may include:

  • Fear of abandonment
  • Trauma bonding
  • Low self-worth
  • Financial dependence
  • Hope that the other person will change

7. Chronic Negative Self-Talk

Persistent self-criticism that reinforces emotional suffering.

Examples:

  • “I’m worthless.”
  • “I always fail.”
  • “No one will ever love me.”

Over time, this can contribute to depression, anxiety, and reduced self-confidence.

8. Neglecting Basic Self-Care: Please, Consult with a Medical Doctor/Psychiatrist

Ignoring fundamental physical and emotional needs.

Examples:

  • Poor sleep habits: Please, Consult with a Medical Doctor/Psychiatrist
  • Skipping meals: Please, Consult with a Medical Doctor/Psychiatrist
  • Avoiding medical care: Please, Consult with a Medical Doctor/Psychiatrist
  • Poor hygiene
  • Social isolation

9. Financial Self-Destruction

Patterns of behavior that repeatedly create financial hardship.

Examples:

  • Compulsive spending
  • Gambling
  • Refusing to budget
  • Accumulating unmanageable debt

Why Do People Engage in Self-Destructive Behaviors?

These behaviors often serve a psychological function rather than reflecting a genuine desire for harm.

Possible common contributing factors include:

  • Trauma or adverse childhood experiences
  • Depression
  • Anxiety disorders
  • Personality disorders
  • Substance use disorders: Please, Consult with a Medical Doctor/Psychiatrist
  • Chronic stress
  • Shame or guilt
  • Emotional dysregulation
  • Poor coping skills
  • Low self-esteem
  • Learned patterns from family or environment

From a psychological perspective, the behavior may temporarily reduce distress through negative reinforcement, the relief strengthens the likelihood of repeating the behavior, even though it has harmful long-term consequences.

Psychological Theories

Several frameworks help explain self-destructive behavior:

  • Cognitive Behavioral Theory (CBT): Maladaptive beliefs (“I deserve to suffer”) and unhelpful thinking patterns contribute to harmful behaviors.
  • Psychodynamic Theory: Unconscious conflicts, unresolved trauma, or self-punitive tendencies may underlie the behavior.
  • Attachment Theory: Insecure attachment and early relational experiences can influence later patterns of self-neglect or self-sabotage.
  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Emphasizes that self-destructive behaviors often function as attempts to regulate intense emotions or cope with distress.
  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Suggests that efforts to avoid or control painful internal experiences can paradoxically lead to behaviors that move a person away from their values.

Warning Signs

A person may be at increased risk if they:

  • Repeatedly harm themselves physically or emotionally: Please, Consult with a Medical Doctor/Psychiatrist
  • Engage in escalating risky behaviors: Please, Consult with a Medical Doctor/Psychiatrist
  • Express persistent hopelessness or worthlessness
  • Withdraw from friends and family
  • Neglect basic needs
  • Continue harmful behaviors despite significant negative consequences

Treatment

Treatment depends on the underlying causes but may include:

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), particularly for emotion regulation and self-harm
  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
  • Trauma focused therapies (such as EMDR, when appropriate)
  • Motivational Interviewing for substance-related concerns
  • Medication when indicated for conditions such as depression or anxiety
  • Peer support and skills groups
  • Safety planning when there is a risk of self-harm or suicide

Can Self-Destructive Behaviors Change?

Yes. Some research shows that these behaviors maybe learned coping strategies, and with appropriate treatment and support, they may be replaced by healthier ways of managing stress and emotions.

Recovery typically involves:

  • Identifying triggers
  • Learning emotion regulation skills
  • Challenging unhelpful beliefs
  • Building self-compassion
  • Strengthening supportive relationships
  • Developing coping strategies that align with personal values

Key Point: Please, Consult with a Medical Doctor/Psychiatrist

Self-destructive behaviors are generally symptoms of underlying psychological distress, not personality flaws or evidence of weak character. Understanding the purpose these behaviors serve is an important step toward replacing them with healthier, more adaptive coping strategies. If someone is engaging in these behaviors frequently or they are escalating in severity, a comprehensive evaluation by a qualified mental health professional may help identify contributing factors and guide effective treatment.

Shervan K Shahhian

Psychological Wounds may refer to emotional or mental injuries:

Psychological Wounds may refer to emotional or mental injuries that individuals experience as a result of traumatic events, adverse experiences, or ongoing stressors. These wounds may manifest in various ways and impact a person’s thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and overall well-being.

Here’s a breakdown of some possible key aspects:

  1. Causes: Psychological wounds may arise from a wide range of experiences, including childhood trauma, abuse, neglect, accidents, loss of a loved one, bullying, discrimination, relationship issues, financial problems, or exposure to violence or disaster.
  2. Types: Psychological wounds may take many forms, including anxiety disorders, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), complex trauma, attachment disorders, substance abuse, eating disorders, and various other mental health conditions.
  3. Symptoms: Symptoms of psychological wounds may vary widely depending on the individual and the nature of the trauma. Common symptoms may include intrusive thoughts or memories, flashbacks, nightmares, emotional numbness, avoidance of reminders of the trauma, hypervigilance, mood swings, irritability, difficulty concentrating, changes in appetite or sleep patterns, self-destructive behaviors, and struggles with self-esteem and relationships.
  4. Impact: Psychological wounds may have a profound impact on a person’s life, affecting their ability to function effectively in various areas such as work, school, relationships, and daily activities. They may also lead to physical health problems due to the interconnectedness of mental and physical well-being.
  5. Healing: Recovery from psychological wounds often involves seeking professional help from therapists, counselors, or psychologists who specialize in trauma treatment. Healing may also involve support from friends, family, support groups, and self-care practices such as mindfulness, exercise, creative outlets, and relaxation techniques. It’s important to note that healing is a gradual process and may involve setbacks or relapses along the way.
  6. Resilience: Despite the challenges posed by psychological wounds, some individuals demonstrate remarkable resilience and are able to overcome their trauma, rebuild their lives, and even find meaning and growth through their experiences. Supportive relationships, a sense of purpose, and a positive outlook on life may all contribute to resilience in the face of adversity.

Understanding psychological wounds is crucial for providing support and empathy to those who are struggling, as well as for promoting mental health awareness and advocacy in society. It’s essential to recognize that psychological wounds are real and valid, and that healing is possible with the right resources and support.

Shervan K Shahhian

Psychotherapy encompasses a wide range of techniques:

Psychotherapy encompasses a wide range of techniques, each tailored to address different psychological issues and client needs.

Here are some major variations of psychotherapy techniques, (the explanations of each therapy is theocratical, not matter of fact):

1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

  • Focus: Changing negative thought patterns and behaviors.
  • Techniques: Cognitive restructuring, exposure therapy, and behavioral activation.

2. Psychodynamic Therapy

  • Focus: Unconscious processes and past experiences.
  • Techniques: Free association, dream analysis, and transference interpretation.

3. Humanistic Therapy

  • Focus: Personal growth and self-actualization.
  • Techniques: Client centered therapy, Gestalt therapy, and existential therapy.

4. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

  • Focus: Emotion regulation and interpersonal effectiveness.
  • Techniques: Mindfulness, distress tolerance, and emotion regulation strategies.

5. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

  • Focus: Accepting thoughts and feelings while committing to values-based actions.
  • Techniques: Mindfulness, cognitive diffusion, and values clarification.

6. Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)

  • Focus: Improving interpersonal relationships.
  • Techniques: Role playing, communication analysis, and exploring relationship patterns.

7. Family Therapy

  • Focus: Family dynamics and communication.
  • Techniques: Structural therapy, strategic therapy, and systemic therapy.

8. Group Therapy

  • Focus: Interpersonal interaction in a group setting.
  • Techniques: Process groups, support groups, and psychoeducational groups.

9. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

  • Focus: Processing traumatic memories.
  • Techniques: Bilateral stimulation (eye movements, taps, sounds), cognitive restructuring.

10. Mindfulness-Based Therapy

  • Focus: Increasing awareness and acceptance of the present moment.
  • Techniques: Mindfulness meditation, body scan, and mindful breathing.

11. Art Therapy

  • Focus: Expressing emotions through creative processes.
  • Techniques: Drawing, painting, sculpting, and other forms of artistic expression.

12. Play Therapy

  • Focus: Helping the young express emotions and resolve conflicts through play.
  • Techniques: Role playing, storytelling, and use of toys and games.

13. Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)

  • Focus: Building solutions rather than solving problems.
  • Techniques: Miracle question, scaling questions, and identifying exceptions.

14. Hypnotherapy: (alternative mental health)

  • Focus: Utilizing hypnosis to address various psychological issues.
  • Techniques: Induction, deepening, and post hypnotic suggestions.

15. Integrative or Eclectic Therapy

  • Focus: Combining elements from different therapeutic approaches.
  • Techniques: Tailored interventions based on client’s needs and therapist’s expertise.

Each of these techniques has its own theoretical foundations, methods, and areas of application, making it possible for therapists to choose and adapt their approach according to the specific needs of their clients.

Shervan K Shahhian

Grief is a natural, universal response to loss:

Grief is a natural, universal response to loss. Although it is most often associated with the death of a loved one, grief may also follow divorce, the loss of health, unemployment, miscarriage, the end of a relationship, or any significant life change. There may not be a single “correct” way to grieve. People’s responses vary widely depending on their personality, culture, beliefs, relationship to what was lost, coping skills, and available support.

Here are some of the broad categories of normal human responses to grief and loss:

1. Emotional Responses

These could be the most recognizable aspects of grief.

  • Sadness and sorrow
  • Yearning or longing for the person or what was lost
  • Crying spells
  • Anger or irritability
  • Guilt or regret
  • Anxiety or fear
  • Loneliness
  • Emotional numbness
  • Relief (especially after a prolonged illness or suffering)
  • Love and gratitude
  • Hope that gradually returns
  • Moments of joy mixed with sadness
  • Substance abuse

Experiencing positive emotions may not mean that someone loved the person less.

2. Cognitive (Thinking) Responses

Grief may affect how people think and process information.

  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Forgetfulness
  • Confusion
  • Feeling mentally “foggy”
  • Preoccupation with the deceased or the loss
  • Replaying events repeatedly
  • Questioning meaning or purpose
  • Changes in priorities
  • Wondering “What if…?”
  • Temporary disbelief or feeling the loss isn’t real

3. Physical Responses: Consult with a Medical Doctor.

Grief is experienced throughout the body: Consult with a Medical Doctor.

  • Fatigue
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Appetite changes
  • Headaches
  • Muscle tension
  • Chest tightness
  • Feeling physically weak
  • Upset stomach or digestive problems
  • Changes in energy
  • Increased sensitivity to illness

These symptoms maybe common and often lessen with time.

4. Behavioral Responses

People may change how they behave while grieving.

  • Withdrawing from others
  • Seeking social support
  • Crying
  • Talking about the deceased
  • Visiting meaningful places
  • Keeping belongings
  • Looking at photographs
  • Changes in work performance
  • Restlessness
  • Reduced motivation
  • Temporary forgetfulness
  • Increased religious or spiritual activities

5. Social Responses

Grief may influence relationships.

  • Wanting more companionship
  • Wanting solitude
  • Feeling misunderstood
  • Becoming closer to family
  • Conflict with others due to different grieving styles
  • Reduced participation in social activities
  • Seeking support groups

6. Spiritual or Existential Responses

Many people reconsider life’s deeper questions.

  • Searching for meaning
  • Questioning faith
  • Strengthening spiritual beliefs or the opposite
  • Feeling angry with God
  • Wondering about life after death
  • Reflecting on mortality
  • Reassessing personal values
  • Developing greater appreciation for life

7. Sensory and Perceptual Experiences

Many bereaved people may report experiences that can be startling but are generally considered normal during grieving.

These may include:

  • Briefly seeing the deceased
  • Hearing the deceased’s voice
  • Sensing their presence
  • Vivid dreams of the deceased
  • Smelling a familiar perfume or scent
  • Feeling as though the person is nearby

These experiences maybe called bereavement related anomalous experiences or after death communications (ADCs) in bereavement research. They are surprisingly common, are not usually signs of mental illness, and often provide comfort rather than distress.

8. Continuing Bonds

Modern grief research recognizes that many people may maintain an ongoing psychological connection with the deceased.

Examples include:

  • Talking to themselves: deceased
  • Keeping traditions alive
  • Feeling guided by their memory
  • Carrying treasured possessions
  • Celebrating birthdays or anniversaries
  • Living according to values they shared

This is described by the Continuing Bonds Theory and is generally viewed as a healthy aspect of adaptation when it supports rather than interferes with daily life.

9. Meaning Making and Growth

Over time, some people begin to integrate the loss into their lives.

This may include:

  • Greater resilience
  • Increased compassion
  • Changed life priorities
  • Stronger relationships
  • Personal growth
  • New purpose
  • Increased appreciation for life
  • Deeper spirituality
  • Acceptance of life’s uncertainty

This process is sometimes referred to as post traumatic growth, although not everyone experiences it.

Common Features of Normal Grief

Normal grief may include:

  • Waves of intense emotion that gradually become less overwhelming
  • Good days and bad days
  • Emotional “triggers” from anniversaries, music, or places
  • Missing the deceased for years while still living a meaningful life
  • Gradual adaptation rather than “getting over” the loss

Grief may not be a series of neat stages. While the ideas:  (denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance) are well known, in modern psychology recognizes that grief is highly individual. People may experience some, all, or none of these reactions, and not in any particular order.

When Grief May Need Professional Support

While grief itself may not be a mental disorder, professional evaluation can be helpful if someone experiences:

  • Persistent inability to function for an extended period
  • Intense despair that does not gradually soften over time
  • Persistent feelings that life is not worth living
  • Severe depression or anxiety
  • Heavy reliance on alcohol or drugs
  • Symptoms consistent with Prolonged Grief Disorder, where intense grief remains persistent and significantly impairs daily life well beyond what is typical for the person’s cultural context.

The Bottom Line

Grief affects the whole person, emotionally, physically, mentally, socially, spiritually, and behaviorally. Most grief reactions, even those that feel unusual (such as sensing the presence of a deceased loved one), fall within the broad spectrum of normal human responses to loss. Rather than following a predictable sequence, healthy grieving usually involves gradually learning to live with the loss while maintaining a meaningful connection to what or whom has been lost.

Shervan K Shahhian

Parapsychology: Anomalous Cognition (AC) is a term used primarily in parapsychology:

Anomalous Cognition (AC) is a term used primarily in parapsychology to describe the acquisition of information without any known sensory, inferential, or conventional means of communication. The term was introduced to avoid assumptions about the mechanism involved (such as “telepathy” or “clairvoyance”).

Definition

Anomalous cognition could be defined as:

The apparent acquisition of accurate information about an object, person, place, or event through means not explained by the known senses or ordinary reasoning.

The term may deliberately descriptive rather than explanatory. It simply states that the information appears anomalous, it may not claim to know how it occurred.

Why the Term Was Created

Researchers might have moved away from terms like:

Telepathy

Clairvoyance

Precognition

ESP (Extrasensory Perception)

because those terms could imply specific mechanisms.

Instead, “anomalous cognition” may allow researchers to investigate unusual information acquisition without assuming whether it is due to psi, unknown psychological processes, statistical chance, or some other explanation.

Examples of Anomalous Cognition Research

Researchers may have studied anomalous cognition using controlled laboratory experiments such as:

Remote Viewing: describing distant locations or hidden targets.

Ganzfeld Experiments: testing for information transfer under sensory reduction.

Forced choice ESP Tests: guessing hidden symbols or cards.

Free response Experiments: describing unknown images or events.

Dream Telepathy Studies: examining whether dreams contain information about target images.

Proposed Types of Information Acquisition

If anomalous cognition exists, it may include information that appears to come from:

another person’s thoughts (telepathy)

distant locations (clairvoyance)

future events (precognition)

hidden objects

unknown facts later verified

Whether these are truly distinct phenomena or different expressions of the same underlying process remains an open question.

Scientific Status

The scientific community remains divided.

Supportive researchers argue:

Some laboratory studies report small but statistically significant effects that are difficult to explain by chance alone.

Meta analyses of certain paradigms, such as Ganzfeld and some remote viewing studies, may have found effects above chance, though interpretations remain debated.

The evidence warrants continued investigation.

Controversial skeptical researchers always argue:

Findings are often small and difficult to replicate consistently.

Methodological issues, publication bias, sensory leakage, or statistical artifacts may explain the results.

There is no widely accepted theoretical mechanism consistent with established physics or neuroscience.

As a result, anomalous cognition is not accepted as an established phenomenon within mainstream controversial psychology or neuroscience, though it remains an very active topic of research in parapsychology and consciousness studies.

Difference Between Anomalous Cognition and Remote Viewing

Anomalous cognition is the general phenomenon of apparently acquiring information by unknown means.

Remote viewing is a specific experimental protocol designed to test anomalous cognition under controlled conditions.

In other words:

Remote Viewing is one method used to investigate anomalous cognition.

Related Concepts

Parapsychology

Psychical Research

Remote Viewing

Ganzfeld experiments

Telepathy

Clairvoyance

Precognition

Anomalous experiences

Consciousness studies

Summary

Anomalous cognition is a neutral scientific term used in parapsychology for the apparent acquisition of information through means not currently explained by known sensory processes or conventional communication. It does not assume that psi exists; rather, it provides a framework for investigating such claims while remaining agnostic about the underlying mechanism. Although some researchers interpret certain experimental findings as suggestive of anomalous cognition, the evidence remains controversial, and the phenomenon has not been established as part of mainstream controversial scientific consensus.

Shervan K Shahhian

Future Oriented fear is the experience of fear, worry, or apprehension about events that have not yet happened,…

Future oriented fear is the experience of fear, worry, or apprehension about events that have not yet happened but are anticipated to occur. It is a normal human response that helps people prepare for potential threats, but when it becomes excessive, it may interfere with daily life.

Definition

Future oriented fear maybe an emotional and cognitive state characterized by:

  • Anticipating negative outcomes.
  • Imagining possible dangers or failures.
  • Feeling uncertain about what lies ahead.
  • Attempting to predict or control future events.

Unlike fear triggered by an immediate, present danger, future-oriented fear arises from expectation rather than direct experience.

Fear vs. Anxiety

Although these terms maybe used interchangeably, psychology may distinguish it in this manner:

FearAnxiety
Response to an immediate, identifiable threatResponse to anticipated or uncertain future threats
Present focusedFuture focused
Usually short livedMay be persistent or chronic
Activates immediate survival responsesInvolves anticipation and worry

Future oriented fear maybe therefore often closely related to anxiety, especially when the anticipated threat is uncertain.

Common Examples

People may experience future oriented fear about:

  • Losing a loved one.
  • Developing a serious illness.
  • Financial hardship.
  • Losing a job.
  • Failing an exam.
  • Public speaking.
  • Relationship problems.
  • Natural disasters.
  • Aging or death.
  • Making the wrong life decision.

Psychological Components

Future oriented fear involves several interacting processes:

  • Catastrophic thinking: Expecting the worst possible outcome.
  • Uncertainty intolerance: Difficulty accepting that the future cannot be fully predicted.
  • Negative prediction bias: Overestimating the likelihood of bad events.
  • Selective attention: Focusing on possible threats rather than opportunities.
  • Mental simulation: Rehearsing future scenarios, often repeatedly.

Physical Symptoms

Future oriented fear may activate the body’s stress response, leading to:

  • Increased heart rate: Consult with a Medical Doctor.
  • Muscle tension: Consult with a Medical Doctor.
  • Sweating: Consult with a Medical Doctor.
  • Upset stomach: Consult with a Medical Doctor.
  • Restlessness: Consult with a Medical Doctor.
  • Difficulty concentrating: Consult with a Psychiatrist.
  • Sleep problems: Consult with a Medical Doctor.
  • Fatigue: Consult with a Medical Doctor.

When Is It Helpful?

A moderate amount of future oriented fear maybe adaptive because it:

  • Encourages planning.
  • Motivates preparation.
  • Promotes caution.
  • Helps avoid unnecessary risks.
  • Improves problem solving.

For example, worrying about an upcoming exam may motivate someone to study harder.

When Does It Become a Problem?

It may become problematic when it:

  • Persists for weeks or months.
  • Is out of proportion to the actual risk.
  • Leads to avoidance behaviors.
  • Causes significant distress.
  • Interferes with work, school, or relationships.

Excessive future oriented fear maybe a common feature of Generalized Anxiety Disorder?, but it may also occur with other anxiety related conditions.

Evidence Based Ways to Manage It

Research supports several approaches:

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps identify and challenge unrealistic predictions and develop more balanced thinking.
  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Encourages accepting uncertainty while acting in line with personal values.
  • Mindfulness: Brings attention back to the present moment instead of imagined future scenarios.
  • Problem solving: Focuses on practical steps for concerns that are within one’s control.
  • Relaxation techniques: Such as diaphragmatic breathing and progressive muscle relaxation, to reduce physiological arousal: Consult with a Psychiatrist.
  • Regular exercise and healthy sleep habits: May reduce overall anxiety and improve resilience.

A Simple Illustration

Imagine someone waiting for the results of a medical test:Consult with a Psychiatrist.

  • Present reality: They do not yet know the outcome.
  • Future oriented fear: They imagine receiving bad news, becoming seriously ill, and all the consequences that might follow.
  • Healthy response: Acknowledge the uncertainty, prepare for different possibilities if needed, and focus on what may be controlled while awaiting the results.

Summary

Future oriented fear is the anticipation of possible future threats. In moderate amounts, it is a normal and adaptive response that promotes preparation and caution. When it becomes excessive, persistent, or difficult to control, it may contribute to anxiety disorders and reduce quality of life. Evidence based approaches such as CBT, ACT, mindfulness, and practical problem solving may help people respond to uncertainty in healthier and more flexible ways.

Shervan K Shahhian

Momentary Thoughts are brief, short lived thoughts that quickly pass through the mind:

Momentary Thoughts are brief, short lived thoughts that quickly pass through the mind. They may appear automatically in response to situations, emotions, memories, sensations, or environmental cues.

In psychology, they maybe considered part of the normal flow of consciousness and may include:

Quick impressions

Passing worries

Sudden memories

Fleeting judgments

Random associations

Brief emotional reactions

Examples:

“Did I lock the door?”

“That person looks familiar.”

“I hope I don’t embarrass myself.”

“I should call my friend later.”

These thoughts usually:

Last only seconds or minutes

Change rapidly

May or may not reflect a person’s deeper beliefs

May occur automatically without deliberate intention

Some momentary thoughts are neutral, while others may be positive, anxious, intrusive, creative, or emotionally charged.

In cognitive psychology and therapies like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, therapists may distinguish between:

Momentary automatic thoughts: (immediate reactions)

Core beliefs: (deeper, long standing assumptions about oneself or the world)

For example:

Momentary thought: “I failed this test; I’m terrible.”

Underlying core belief: “I’m not good enough.”

Momentary thoughts are a normal part of mental activity. What often matters psychologically is:

how frequently certain thoughts occur,

how strongly a person believes them,

and whether they influence emotions or behavior.

Shervan K Shahhian

An Anxious Prediction is a thought pattern:

An Anxious Prediction is a thought pattern where a person automatically expects something negative, threatening, embarrassing, or harmful to happen in the future, often without solid evidence.

It is common in anxiety disorders, stress reactions, and everyday worry.

Examples:

  • “I’m probably going to fail the interview.”
  • “They must be upset with me.”
  • “Something bad is going to happen.”
  • “I’ll embarrass myself.”
  • “If I make one mistake, everything will fall apart.”

Psychologically, anxious predictions are connected to:

  • Catastrophic thinking: imagining worst case outcomes
  • Future oriented fear
  • Threat bias: the mind scanning for danger
  • Intolerance of uncertainty: discomfort with not knowing what will happen

The anxious mind may treat predictions as if they are facts rather than possibilities.

A helpful distinction is:

Thought TypeExample
Realistic planning“I should prepare in case there are challenges.”
Anxious prediction“It’s definitely going to go badly.”

Common signs of anxious prediction:

  • Overestimating danger
  • Underestimating coping ability
  • Rehearsing negative scenarios repeatedly
  • Seeking reassurance
  • Avoiding situations because of imagined outcomes

Possibly in therapies like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, people are taught to:

  • Notice the prediction
  • Label it as a thought, not a certainty
  • Examine evidence
  • Tolerate uncertainty
  • Refocus on present-moment reality

A useful reframing may be

“This is an anxious prediction, not a guaranteed outcome.”

That shift helps create psychological distance from the fear rather than becoming fused with it.

Shervan K Shahhian

Mr. Ted Owens was The Greatest American Psychic, UFO Contactee and Prophet for some:

Ted Owens was The greatest American Psychic Claimant, UFO Contactee and Prophet for some, who became known as “The PK Man” (“PK” standing for psychokinesis, or mind over matter effects). He claimed that he was in telepathic communication with extraterrestrial or “Space Intelligence” entities that enabled him to influence physical events, including weather, electrical systems, UFO appearances, and even large scale natural phenomena.

Background

Prophet Owens served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and later studied at Duke University, where he worked with pioneering parapsychologist J. B. Rhine in the university’s parapsychology laboratory.

His Claims

Prophet Owens asserted that “Space Intelligences” had altered his mind, allowing him to communicate with them telepathically. He claimed these intelligences could:

  • Produce storms, droughts, and earthquakes.
  • Cause power failures and mechanical malfunctions.
  • Generate UFO sightings.
  • Influence public events and human behavior.
  • Provide him with information about future events.

Many of his claims centered on documented predictions mailed to scientists, journalists, and officials before events occurred. He maintained extensive files of correspondence and newspaper clippings that he believed supported his abilities.

Jeffrey Mishlove’s Investigation

Parapsychologist Jeffrey Mishlove: (The greatest Parapsychologist in the modern times), studied Owens from 1976 until Prophet Owens’s death in 1987. Mishlove later wrote the book The PK Man: A True Story of Mind Over Matter, arguing that Prophet Owens’s case deserved serious investigation because of the volume of documented predictions and unusual coincidences associated with him.

Controversy

Prophet Ted Owens remains a highly controversial figure. Supporters view him as one of the most extensively documented psychics in modern history, while skeptics argue that his apparent successes may be explained by selective reporting, broad predictions, coincidence, and confirmation bias. Some negative critics have also suggested that some of his beliefs may reflect delusional or grandiose thinking rather than genuine paranormal phenomena.

Why He Remains Important in Parapsychology

For many researchers and enthusiasts of parapsychology, Prophet Owens represents a fascinating case because:

  • His claims were recorded over many years.
  • He actively sought scientific attention rather than avoiding scrutiny.
  • Thousands of pages of letters, predictions, and reports survive in archives.
  • His case sits at the intersection of psychokinesis, UFO contact experiences, prophecy, and anomalous cognition.

Given your interest in Controlled Remote Viewing and “Space Intelligences,” Prophet Owens is often discussed as one of the most unusual figures linking psychic phenomena with purported non-human intelligences. His case remains unresolved: believers see compelling evidence of genuine anomalies, while negative and argumentative skeptics see a cautionary example of how extraordinary Psychical Powers can be interpreted through different extraordinary lenses.

Shervan K Shahhian