Psychological war games, what are they:

Psychological war games refer to strategies and techniques used to influence, manipulate, or disrupt the mental state, morale, decision-making processes, and perceptions of opponents, often in the context of military operations, politics, or business. These tactics are designed to create confusion, fear, doubt, or uncertainty in the minds of adversaries, causing them to make decisions that are advantageous to the one employing the psychological tactics.

Key Elements of Psychological War Games:

Deception: This involves misleading the opponent about intentions, capabilities, or plans. Deception can be achieved through misinformation, camouflage, or creating false narratives.

Propaganda: The use of media, communication channels, and symbols to spread messages that influence public opinion, demoralize the enemy, or rally support. Propaganda can be overt (clearly intended as influence) or covert (designed to look like normal information).

Disinformation: Deliberately spreading false information to confuse or mislead the opponent. This can be used to create uncertainty or cause the opponent to make poor decisions.

Psychological Operations (PSYOP): These are specific military operations aimed at influencing the emotions, motives, and behaviors of target audiences. The goal is to weaken the enemy’s resolve or strengthen the resolve of allies.

Perception Management: Manipulating how the opponent or the public perceives a situation, often by controlling the flow of information or framing events in a specific way.

Fear and Intimidation: Using threats, demonstrations of power, or the suggestion of dire consequences to create fear or panic in the opponent, leading to irrational or hasty decision-making.

Mind Games: Engaging in tactics that cause the opponent to second-guess themselves, doubt their abilities, or question their strategies. This can involve feints, bluffs, or calculated provocations.

Historical Examples:

• Cold War Espionage: Two super powers used psychological tactics to outmaneuver each other, including disinformation campaigns, propaganda, and espionage.
• Sun Tzu’s “The Art of War”: An ancient text that outlines various psychological strategies in warfare, emphasizing the importance of deception and the mental aspect of conflict.
• Operation Fortitude (World War II): The Allied forces used a complex deception plan to mislead Nazi Germany about the location of the D-Day invasion, contributing to the success of the Normandy landings.

Modern Applications:

Psychological war games are not limited to traditional warfare. They can be seen in areas such as:

• Politics: Campaign strategies often involve psychological tactics to sway voters or undermine opponents.
• Business: Competitive intelligence and strategic planning may include psychological elements to outmaneuver competitors.
• Cyber Warfare: The digital age has introduced new avenues for psychological operations, including social media manipulation, hacking, and spreading disinformation online.

The goal of psychological war games is to achieve an advantage without direct confrontation, often by exploiting the human element in decision-making and perception.

Shervan K Shahhian

The Path of the Reduction of Suffering

“Compassion Beyond Compassion”

“Compassion Psychology, it’s a modern approach to Psychology, with its practical applications. This theory was conceived by:

Shervan K. Shahhian in Los Angeles, California, USA and it is still developing as a theory of interpersonal development and Compassion. In Compassion Psychology, the effort is made by an individual to understand themselves better by self reflection, contemplation, meditation and helping others. Once a person understands their own strengths and weaknesses they can possibly make better decisions. Compassion Psychology can only work if a person is willing to make positive changes in their thoughts, words and behavior. Self improvement, compassion for self and compassion for all living things are at the core of Compassion Psychology.”
Copyright 2021
Literary Division
United States Copyright Office

Shervan K. Shahhian

Excessive people-pleasing behavior, also known as people-pleasing or approval-seeking behavior, refers to a pattern of behavior where an individual goes to great lengths to gain the approval, validation, or acceptance of others. People who engage in excessive people-pleasing often prioritize the needs and desires of others over their own, sometimes at the expense of their own well-being.

Key characteristics of excessive people-pleasing behavior may include:

Fear of Disapproval: People-pleasers often have an intense fear of being disliked, rejected, or criticized by others. This fear may drive them to seek constant approval and avoid any form of conflict.

Difficulty Saying No: Individuals with people-pleasing tendencies may find it challenging to say no, even when it is in their best interest. They may take on too many responsibilities or agree to things they don’t genuinely want to do.

Avoidance of Conflict: People-pleasers may go to great lengths to avoid conflict or disagreement. They may suppress their own opinions or needs to maintain a harmonious environment.

Low Self-Esteem: Excessive people-pleasing can be linked to low self-esteem. The individual may derive their sense of self-worth from the approval of others, leading to a constant need for external validation.

Over-Apologizing: People-pleasers may apologize frequently, even for things that are not their fault. They may apologize to avoid confrontation or to seek reassurance that they are not upsetting others.

Difficulty Expressing Authentic Emotions: Individuals who excessively people-please may struggle to express their true emotions, fearing that their genuine feelings might be met with disapproval.

Neglect of Personal Needs: People-pleasers often prioritize the needs of others over their own, neglecting self-care and personal well-being.

Excessive people-pleasing can have negative consequences on mental health and relationships. It may lead to feelings of frustration, resentment, and burnout. It’s important for individuals exhibiting these behaviors to develop a healthier balance between meeting their own needs and maintaining positive social connections. This may involve setting boundaries, learning to say no when necessary, and building self-esteem independent of external validation. Therapy can be a helpful resource for those looking to address and change these patterns of behavior.

Shervan K Shahhian

Emotional neglect and codependency are related concepts that often intersect in the realm of psychology and interpersonal relationships.

Emotional Neglect: Emotional neglect refers to a situation in which an individual’s emotional needs are consistently unmet or ignored, typically within the context of their family or primary caregiving environment. It can manifest in various ways, such as a lack of emotional responsiveness, attention, validation, or support. Emotional neglect can occur during childhood or in adult relationships, and it may have significant and lasting effects on an individual’s emotional well-being.

Codependency: Codependency is a pattern of dysfunctional and excessive reliance on others for a sense of identity, self-worth, and emotional well-being. People who struggle with codependency often prioritize others’ needs and feelings over their own, to the detriment of their own mental and emotional health. Codependent individuals may have difficulty setting boundaries, experience a fear of abandonment, and may feel a compulsive need to take care of others, often at the expense of their own needs and desires.

Intersection of Emotional Neglect and Codependency: There is a connection between emotional neglect and the development of codependent patterns. In many cases, individuals who experience emotional neglect during their formative years may develop codependent tendencies as a way to cope with the lack of emotional support and validation. Codependency can be a survival strategy that evolves from a background of unmet emotional needs.

Codependency often involves a strong desire for external validation and a fear of rejection or abandonment. These traits may be exacerbated in individuals who have experienced emotional neglect, as they may have learned to seek validation and connection outside of themselves due to a lack of emotional support within their primary relationships.

Addressing Emotional Neglect and Codependency: Therapy, particularly approaches such as psychotherapy or counseling, can be beneficial for individuals dealing with the effects of emotional neglect and codependency. Therapy can help individuals explore and understand their past experiences, develop healthier coping mechanisms, establish boundaries, and work towards building healthier relationships.

It’s important to note that individuals experiencing these challenges can benefit from professional support and guidance to navigate their emotions and develop more positive and fulfilling relationships.

Shervan K Shahhian

The terms “big trauma” and “small trauma” are not widely recognized or used in formal psychological or clinical contexts. However, I can provide some information based on the general understanding of trauma.

Trauma refers to an emotional or psychological response to a distressing or disturbing event or series of events. Trauma can vary in intensity, and different individuals may respond to similar events in different ways. There are two main types of trauma: acute trauma and chronic trauma.

Acute Trauma (Big Trauma):

• Acute trauma typically refers to a single, severe event that has a profound and immediate impact on an individual.
• Examples of acute trauma include natural disasters, serious accidents, physical assault, sexual assault, or witnessing a violent event.
• The effects of acute trauma can be intense and may result in symptoms such as flashbacks, nightmares, anxiety, depression, and other psychological responses.

Chronic Trauma (Small Trauma):

• Chronic trauma, sometimes referred to as complex trauma, is associated with repeated and prolonged exposure to distressing events.
• This type of trauma often occurs within relationships, such as in cases of ongoing emotional, physical, or sexual abuse, neglect, or living in a consistently unsafe environment.
• Chronic trauma can have a cumulative effect on an individual’s mental and emotional well-being, leading to long-term consequences and impacting one’s ability to form healthy relationships or cope with stress.

It’s important to note that the terms “big trauma” and “small trauma” are not standard psychological terms, and the impact of trauma is highly individualized. What may be considered a small trauma for one person could have a significant impact on another. Additionally, the severity of the trauma is not solely determined by the external event but also by an individual’s subjective experience and coping mechanisms.

If you or someone you know is dealing with trauma, it is advisable to seek support from mental health professionals who can provide guidance and assistance based on the specific circumstances and needs of the individual.

Shervan K Shahhian

Inherited generational trauma refers to the transmission of trauma, stress, or adverse experiences from one generation to the next. This concept suggests that the effects of trauma can be passed down through families, impacting individuals who did not directly experience the traumatic events. The idea is rooted in the understanding that trauma can have lasting effects on an individual’s mental, emotional, and even physical well-being, and these effects may be observed in subsequent generations.

Key aspects of inherited generational trauma include:

Epigenetics: Some researchers propose that trauma can lead to changes in gene expression, and these changes can be passed down through generations. Epigenetic modifications do not alter the underlying DNA sequence but can influence how genes are activated or silenced. This may result in a heightened vulnerability to stress or mental health issues in descendants.

Family Dynamics: Trauma can influence family dynamics, communication patterns, and coping mechanisms. Behaviors and coping strategies developed by one generation in response to trauma may be passed down to the next, creating a cycle of dysfunctional patterns.

Cultural Transmission: Cultural values, beliefs, and practices within a family or community can play a role in transmitting trauma across generations. Cultural narratives, rituals, or the absence of open communication about traumatic events can contribute to the perpetuation of trauma.

Social and Environmental Factors: External factors, such as systemic oppression, discrimination, or socioeconomic challenges, can contribute to the persistence of trauma across generations. These factors may create an environment where individuals and families continue to face adversity.

Resilience: On the positive side, some individuals and families demonstrate resilience in the face of trauma. Resilience refers to the ability to adapt and bounce back from adversity. Supportive relationships, community resources, and mental health interventions can help break the cycle of inherited generational trauma.

Addressing inherited generational trauma often involves a multifaceted approach, including therapy, education, and community support. Recognizing the impact of trauma, fostering open communication within families, and seeking professional help can contribute to breaking the cycle and promoting healing across generations.

Shervan K Shahhian

Behavioral avoidance refers to a strategy or pattern of behavior in which an individual actively avoids certain situations, objects, activities, or people to reduce anxiety, fear, or discomfort. This type of avoidance is often associated with conditions such as anxiety disorders, phobias, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

People who engage in behavioral avoidance typically go to great lengths to steer clear of stimuli that trigger their emotional distress. This avoidance can take various forms, such as avoiding specific places, people, or activities, or using coping mechanisms to minimize exposure to perceived threats. For example, someone with a social anxiety disorder might avoid social gatherings, while someone with a specific phobia, such as a fear of flying, may go to great lengths to avoid situations involving air travel.

While avoidance behaviors may provide temporary relief from distress, they can also reinforce and exacerbate anxiety over time. In therapeutic settings, addressing and gradually confronting these avoided situations or stimuli is often a key component of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and other evidence-based treatments for anxiety-related disorders. The goal is to help individuals develop healthier coping mechanisms and reduce the impact of fear or anxiety on their daily lives.

Shervan K Shahhian

Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD) is a psychological condition that can develop in response to prolonged, repeated trauma, particularly in interpersonal relationships. It shares similarities with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), but it is considered more complex and often involves exposure to multiple traumatic events over an extended period.

Here are some key features and characteristics of Complex PTSD:

Prolonged Trauma: Unlike PTSD, which typically results from a single traumatic event, CPTSD is associated with ongoing or repeated trauma. This can include situations such as childhood abuse, neglect, domestic violence, or long-term captivity.

Interpersonal Trauma: CPTSD is often linked to trauma that occurs within interpersonal relationships, such as abusive relationships, childhood abuse, or situations involving betrayal and exploitation.

Dysregulation of Emotions: Individuals with CPTSD may experience intense and fluctuating emotions. They may struggle to regulate their emotions effectively, leading to mood swings, intense anger, sadness, or feelings of emptiness.

Distorted Self-Perception: CPTSD can impact how individuals see themselves. They may struggle with feelings of shame, guilt, and a distorted self-image. Low self-esteem and a sense of worthlessness are common.

Difficulties in Relationships: People with CPTSD may have challenges forming and maintaining healthy relationships. Trust issues, fear of abandonment, and difficulties with intimacy are common.

Hypervigilance and Dissociation: Similar to PTSD, individuals with CPTSD may experience hypervigilance, constantly being on high alert for potential threats. Additionally, they may engage in dissociative coping mechanisms, where they mentally disconnect from their surroundings or experiences as a way to cope with overwhelming emotions.

Impact on Identity: CPTSD can affect the development of a stable and cohesive sense of identity. The individual may struggle with self-identity, feeling fragmented or as if they have lost a sense of who they are.

Impaired Functioning: The symptoms of CPTSD can significantly impair a person’s ability to function in various areas of life, including work, relationships, and daily activities.

Treatment for CPTSD often involves a combination of psychotherapy, such as trauma-focused therapies like Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) or dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and sometimes medication to address specific symptoms. It’s important for individuals with CPTSD to seek professional help to address their unique experiences and challenges.

Shervan K Shahhian

Relationship PTSD, also known as Relationship Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, is a term used to describe the emotional and psychological impact of a traumatic experience within a romantic relationship. While PTSD is typically associated with the aftermath of life-threatening events, such as accidents or combat, relationship PTSD focuses specifically on the aftermath of distressing or traumatic experiences within the context of intimate relationships.

Here are some key aspects to understand about Relationship PTSD:

Definition of Trauma:

• In the context of relationship PTSD, trauma refers to experiences that cause significant emotional distress and may include betrayal, infidelity, emotional or physical abuse, abandonment, or any other event that deeply violates trust or emotional safety.

Symptoms:

• People experiencing relationship PTSD may exhibit symptoms similar to those with traditional PTSD. These can include intrusive thoughts or memories, flashbacks, intense emotional reactions, hypervigilance, difficulty trusting others, avoidance of relationships or relationship-related activities, and disruptions in mood and sleep.

Causes:

• Traumatic experiences within a relationship can stem from various factors, including infidelity, domestic violence, emotional abuse, sudden and unexpected breakups, or any other event that shatters the emotional well-being of an individual within the context of an intimate partnership.

Impact on Daily Life:

• Relationship PTSD can have a profound impact on an individual’s daily life and functioning. It may affect their ability to form and maintain new relationships, lead to difficulties in trusting others, and contribute to ongoing emotional distress.

Treatment:

• Treatment for relationship PTSD often involves therapy, particularly modalities such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which can help individuals process and reframe traumatic experiences. Support groups and counseling for couples may also be beneficial, depending on the nature of the trauma.

Self-Care:

• Self-care is crucial for individuals dealing with relationship PTSD. This can include establishing healthy boundaries, practicing mindfulness and relaxation techniques, and engaging in activities that bring joy and a sense of well-being.

It’s important to note that the term “relationship PTSD” is not an officially recognized clinical diagnosis in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). However, it is a term used colloquially to describe the lasting impact of traumatic relationship experiences. If someone is experiencing significant distress, it’s advisable for them to seek professional help from a mental health professional.

Shervan K Shahhian

Relational trauma, also known as interpersonal or attachment trauma, refers to the emotional and psychological harm that occurs within the context of relationships, typically stemming from experiences of betrayal, neglect, or abuse within interpersonal connections. This type of trauma is often associated with close relationships, such as those with parents, caregivers, romantic partners, or close friends. Here are some key aspects to help you understand relational trauma:

Nature of Relationships: Relational trauma is embedded in the dynamics of relationships. It can occur in various forms, such as emotional, physical, or sexual abuse, neglect, abandonment, or betrayal. These negative experiences can significantly impact an individual’s sense of safety and trust in relationships.

Developmental Impact: Many experiences of relational trauma occur during critical developmental periods, especially in childhood. Early traumatic experiences can shape an individual’s beliefs about themselves, others, and the world. These beliefs often influence future relationship patterns and can contribute to the development of mental health issues.

Attachment Theory: Attachment theory, proposed by John Bowlby, is often used to understand relational trauma. According to this theory, a secure and healthy attachment between a caregiver and a child is crucial for emotional well-being. When this attachment is disrupted or abusive, it can lead to attachment-related difficulties and emotional distress.

Complex PTSD: Relational trauma can contribute to the development of Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD). Unlike traditional PTSD, which is typically associated with a single traumatic event, C-PTSD is linked to chronic and prolonged trauma, often within relationships. Symptoms may include difficulties with emotional regulation, self-esteem, and forming and maintaining relationships.

Impact on Mental Health: Relational trauma can have a profound impact on mental health, contributing to conditions such as depression, anxiety, personality disorders, and substance abuse. Individuals who have experienced relational trauma may struggle with intimacy, trust, and establishing healthy connections with others.

Healing and Recovery: Healing from relational trauma often involves therapeutic interventions that focus on rebuilding a sense of safety, trust, and self-worth. Therapies such as trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy (TF-CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) are commonly used to address relational trauma.

Understanding relational trauma is essential for individuals, mental health professionals, and society at large. Recognizing the impact of early relational experiences can guide therapeutic approaches and support systems to promote healing and resilience in those who have experienced such trauma.

Shervan K Shahhian