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WELCOME TO THE LIBERTY PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION
SHERVAN K SHAHHIAN
Welcome to LIBERTY PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION, a unique blog here for you to explore. PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDERS.
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Severe Developmental Trauma, an explanation:
Severe Developmental Trauma refers to chronic, repeated trauma that occurs during childhood—especially within caregiving relationships—and significantly disrupts psychological, emotional, neurological, and relational development. Developmental Trauma Disorder (DTD), and might overlaps with Complex PTSD (C-PTSD), though the focus is specifically on early-life developmental disruption. What Makes It “Severe”? It usually involves: Chronic abuse (physical, sexual, emotional)
shahhian
19 hours ago2 min read
Repeated Interpersonal Threat, explained:
Repeated Interpersonal Threat refers to ongoing or recurring exposure to danger, intimidation, harm, or perceived harm coming from another person or group of people. Unlike a single traumatic event, this involves chronic relational stress, often embedded in attachment or social systems. 1. Core Features Repeated interpersonal threat typically involves: Ongoing exposure (not one-time) Unpredictability Power imbalance Relational proximity (family, partner, caregiver, authority,
shahhian
20 hours ago2 min read
Dissociated Self-States, what are they:
Dissociated self-states are distinct parts of a person’s personality or identity that operate somewhat independently from one another due to psychological dissociation. Rather than experiencing the self as fully integrated, the person experiences separate “modes” of being that may have: Different emotions Different beliefs about self and others Different behavioral patterns Different memories or access to memories Different bodily sensations What Is Dissociation? Dissociation
shahhian
20 hours ago2 min read
Stimulant Use Disorder Treatment, how:
Stimulant Use Disorder (SUD) refers to problematic use of substances like: Cocaine Methamphetamine Amphetamine (including misuse of prescription stimulants) Treatment is evidence-based, behavioral first, and increasingly integrated with medical and trauma-informed care. Core Treatment Approaches 1. Behavioral Therapies (First-Line) Contingency Management (CM) Could be The strongest evidence-based treatment for stimulant use disorder? Provides tangible rewards for drug-free ur
shahhian
21 hours ago2 min read
Internal Voices vs Psychotic Voices, what are the differences:
The distinction between internal voices and psychotic voices is clinically important, especially in trauma work, dissociation, and psychosis-spectrum conditions. Below is a structured comparison from a psychological lens. Internal Voices (Non-Psychotic) These are usually understood as forms of inner experience , not hallucinations. They may occur in: Normal inner speech (self-talk) High stress Trauma-related dissociation Parts-based personality structures (e.g., IFS-style par
shahhian
2 days ago2 min read
Clinical Dissociative Symptoms, an explanation:
Clinical dissociative symptoms are disruptions in the normal integration of consciousness, memory, identity, emotion, perception, body awareness, or behavior. They go beyond ordinary “spacing out” and are typically distressing, impairing, or trauma-related. I will outline both descriptively and diagnostically. Core Clinical Dissociative Symptoms 1. Depersonalization A sense of detachment from oneself. Feeling like an outside observer of your own thoughts or body “I feel unrea
shahhian
3 days ago2 min read
Disassociated Behavior, explained:
Dissociated behavior (more commonly called dissociative behavior ) refers to actions, experiences, or mental states that occur when a person becomes partially disconnected from their thoughts, emotions, body, memory, or sense of identity. Dissociation exists on a spectrum, from normal and mild to severe and clinical. Normal / Mild Dissociation (Common Human Experience) These are everyday examples: “Zoning out” while driving (highway hypnosis) Daydreaming Losing track of time
shahhian
3 days ago2 min read
Self-Visualization, what is it:
Self-visualization is the deliberate use of mental imagery to imagine yourself thinking, feeling, or performing in a particular way. It’s widely used in psychology, performance training, and psychotherapy. Guided, intentional self-imagery that influences cognition, emotion, and behavior. 1. What It Is (Psychological Definition) Self-visualization involves: Mentally picturing yourself (first-person or third-person) Engaging sensory details (sight, sound, body sensation) Rehear
shahhian
3 days ago2 min read
How Does Psychosomatic Illness develops:
Psychosomatic illness develops when psychological stress or emotional conflict leads to real physical symptoms or worsens an existing medical condition. It’s not “imagined” , the body truly reacts to mental and emotional strain through biological pathways. Here’s how it typically develops step-by-step: 1. Emotional or Psychological Stress A person experiences ongoing stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, or unresolved emotional conflict. Examples: grief, work pressure, relatio
shahhian
4 days ago1 min read
SMART frameworks, a great explanation:
The SMART framework is a structured method for setting clear, actionable goals. It’s widely used in performance psychology, business, coaching, and clinical work. What SMART Stands For S: Specific The goal is clearly defined and unambiguous. Instead of: “Improve mental health. ”Use: “Practice 10 minutes of diaphragmatic breathing daily.” M: Measurable You can track progress with observable criteria. “How will I know I’m succeeding?” A: Achievable Realistic given current resou
shahhian
5 days ago1 min read
Self-Visualization, what is it:
Self-visualization is the deliberate use of mental imagery to imagine yourself thinking, feeling, or performing in a particular way. It’s widely used in psychology, performance training, and psychotherapy. Guided, intentional self-imagery that influences cognition, emotion, and behavior. 1. What It Is (Psychological Definition) Self-visualization involves: Mentally picturing yourself (first-person or third-person) Engaging sensory details (sight, sound, body sensation) Rehear
shahhian
5 days ago2 min read
Mental Rehearsal Activates, explained:
(CONSULT A NEUROLOGIST) Mental rehearsal activates many of the same neural systems as real performance. This is why it’s powerful in performance psychology, sports, therapy, and skill acquisition. Here’s what it activates: 1. Motor Cortex (CONSULT A NEUROLOGIST) The primary motor cortex (in the frontal lobe) becomes active during vivid imagery of movement. Research shows that imagining lifting your arm activates similar neural circuits as actually lifting it, just at lower
shahhian
5 days ago2 min read
Mental Skills Training (MST), a great explanation:
Mental Skills Training (MST) is a structured, evidence based approach used to strengthen psychological abilities that enhance performance, resilience, and well-being. It’s widely used in sports, military, performing arts, medicine, and executive leadership. What It Develops MST focuses on trainable psychological capacities such as: Attention & concentration control Emotional regulation Stress tolerance Confidence & self-efficacy Motivation & goal clarity Imagery & mental rehe
shahhian
5 days ago2 min read
Performance Psychology, what is it:
Performance psychology is the scientific study of how thoughts, emotions, physiology, and behavior affect performance in high-pressure environments, and how to optimize them. It sits at the intersection of psychology, neuroscience, and performance science. Core Idea Performance psychology focuses on helping people perform at their best when it matters most , not just when they feel comfortable. It is used in: Elite sports Military and tactical units Performing arts Business
shahhian
5 days ago2 min read
Breath Regulation, an explanation:
Breath regulation is the process of consciously controlling your breathing pattern to influence your nervous system, emotional state, and physiological arousal. It is one of the most direct ways to regulate the autonomic nervous system. Why Breath Matters Neurologically Breathing is unique because it is: Automatic (controlled by the brainstem) Voluntary (you can consciously change it) This gives you a “bridge” between conscious awareness and autonomic processes like heart rat
shahhian
5 days ago2 min read
Fight-or-Flight-or-Freeze response, what is it:
The fight-or-flight (or freeze) response is an automatic survival reaction of the nervous system that activates when the brain perceives danger. It is not a choice. It is reflexive, fast, and largely unconscious. The Basic Mechanism (Consult a Neurologist/MD) When a threat is detected: The amygdala (threat detection center) signals alarm. The hypothalamus activates the autonomic nervous system. The sympathetic nervous system releases adrenaline and noradrenaline. The H
shahhian
5 days ago2 min read
Chronic Hyperarousal, what is it:
Chronic hyperarousal is a long-term state in which the nervous system remains persistently activated, as if danger is present, even when it isn’t. It’s essentially the body being stuck in survival mode . What Is Hyperarousal? Hyperarousal refers to sustained activation of the sympathetic nervous system (fight-or-flight response). In short bursts, this response is adaptive. But when it becomes chronic, it starts to dysregulate the entire system. This concept is central in t
shahhian
5 days ago1 min read
Oscillation, what is it:
Oscillation is a repeated back and forth movement or fluctuation between two states around a central point or equilibrium. At its core, oscillation involves: A center or equilibrium Movement away from it A restoring force or tendency Repetition over time In Psychology Oscillation can describe: Emotional swings (e.g., hope to despair) Attachment to avoidance dynamics Identity instability Cognitive rumination loops In trauma psychology, people may oscillate between: Hyperaro
shahhian
6 days ago1 min read
Early Attachment Disruption, what is it:
Early Attachment Disruption refers to disturbances in the bond between an infant and their primary caregiver during the first years of life, especially when the caregiver is inconsistent, neglectful, intrusive, frightening, or emotionally unavailable. Because early attachment shapes the developing nervous system, identity, and emotional regulation, disruption at this stage can have long-lasting psychological effects. What Is “Attachment”? Attachment is the child’s biological
shahhian
6 days ago2 min read
AI-Isolation, explained:
AI-Isolation is not a formal diagnostic term in psychology, but conceptually it refers to a state in which a person increasingly replaces human relational contact with artificial intelligence interactions, leading to emotional, cognitive, or social detachment from embodied human relationships. It can be understood across several dimensions: 1. Relational Dimension AI-Isolation occurs when: A person primarily seeks emotional support, validation, or companionship from AI system
shahhian
6 days ago2 min read
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