Replaying and dwelling in negative thoughts and getting into the loop of it refers to ruminating. We are often stuck in this vicious cycle of thinking, replaying, getting back to the trauma and playing the worst-case scenarios. " We all get negative or intrusive thoughts sometimes. But it is your responsibility to determine what you will continue to dwell on. Let this fact bring a sense of empowerment, rather than judgment toward yourself," wrote Therapist Carrie Howard.
Fear of abandonment from childhood can have traumatising impact on our adult relationships as well. We learn to internalise that fear and it shows up in our behavioural patterns. "Abandonment wounds run deep, often shaping our self-esteem in profound ways. From internalising rejection to fearing intimacy, the impact is real," wrote Therapist Allyson Kellum-Aguirre.
The nervous system should feel calm and safe at all times to stay regulated. "Nervous system regulation doesn’t have to be big. It can be the subtle shifts throughout our day or intentional changes we tweak within our lifestyle. Our nervous system has an innate knowledge of what feels safe and what does not. When we begin to understand our triggers, roots, and ways of feeling safe, we begin to unlock a more easeful flow to life. Healing is often a mix of insight, education and intentional shifts," wrote Psychologist Kelly Vincent.
Social anxiety is a condition where a person has the constant fear of being watched or judged by others. Hence, they choose to isolate themselves and stay away from large crowds or large gatherings. Being around people can make them feel overwhelmed and stressed. "I never felt fully present in social settings outside of my immediate friends and family. I felt like an outsider, like I couldn’t banter like everyone else, like everyone else knew something I didn’t about being confident and fitting in," wrote Therapist Rebekah Ballagh.
Emotional unavailability happens when someone has gone through childhood trauma and the fear of abandonment. Hence, they learn to shield their emotions as a way of protecting themselves from getting hurt. When we come across someone who struggles to be emotionally available, it is important to support them. "You can’t change this dynamic in others- no cracking the code to make someone be available. In our relationships we can bid others to come closer to us, to invite them into something deeper," wrote Psychotherapist Emily H Sanders.
Complex PTSD refers to a mental condition where a person may experience the symptoms of PTSD along with additional symptoms. Rejection-Sensitive Dysphoria is the term used in Complex PTSD where people have difficulty in accepting perceived rejection or failure. "Living with RSD can be challenging, but it's crucial to remember that you're not alone. Many individuals with CPTSD experience this, and there are ways to cope," wrote Therapist Linda Meredith.
People with Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, also known as ADHD, suffer from attention deficiency, hyperactivity and impulsiveness. They also have a hard time in the morning as they feel extremely overwhelmed. "Many ADHDers struggle with mornings for a multitude of reasons. Not all of us will get to the point where we jump out of the bed every day with a great attitude…but we can make small shifts to calm the chaos," wrote Therapist Meredith Carder. Here are a few reasons why people with ADHD struggle in the mornings.
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, also referred to as ADHD, is a condition where a person faces difficulty in concentrating or paying attention. Symptoms of ADHD include hyperactivity and impulsiveness. Mornings can feel very chaotic for people with ADHD as they feel they need to get a lot done in less time. "Mornings can be tough on ADHDers for a variety of reasons, but a few small tweaks can make them feel a bit less chaotic," wrote Therapist Meredith Carder. Here are a few ways.
"When you’ve spent much of your early life in survival mode and managing your environment and relationships, it’s difficult to stay in contact with your instincts. Your instincts steer you in the right direction in relationships. Your instincts are connected closely with your needs - which mean that you don’t get halfway through the day and realise you haven’t eaten or have barely drunk any water," wrote Therapist Sian Crossley.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder or OCD is a mental condition where a person gets compelled to perform repetitive tasks. Cleaning, arranging, organising and counting repeatedly are some of the symptoms of OCD. However, OCD can often make us believe in certain things that are not true. Therapist Maythal Eshaghian explained.
Often, we may feel that we are being victimised in a situation. When we keep complaining about it, we come off as the victim in every situation. However, learning to let go and embracing life as it happens is a healthy way to look towards life. "When you're victimizing yourself, it means that you're operating from a place of powerlessness. Your trauma doesn't have to define who you are as a person. To start moving away from playing victim, think about something valuable that you've learned from your experiences," wrote Therapist Allyson Kellum-Aguirre.
Alexithymia is the condition where a person is not able to express their feelings in words. "When a person has alexithymia, it means they struggle with distinguishing between emotions and bodily sensations. Alexithymia occurs on a spectrum, and a person can have mild to severe alexithymic traits. Alexithymia is broadly considered a personality trait," wrote Therapist Ketam Hamdan. Here are a few signs of Alexithymia.
World Mental Health day is celebrated every year on October 10 to raise awareness about mental health concerns and mobilise support for mental health. It was first observed in 1992 by the World Federation for Mental Health. On the occasion, we have highlighted a few serious signs of mental health issues that you should not ignore and seek for help.
