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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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Deception and Sarcasm, what are they really:
Understanding deception and sarcasm involves several cognitive and social abilities. Both require you to interpret what someone says vs. what they actually mean. These skills are closely related to social cognition and to the psychological concept of Theory of Mind. 1. Understanding Deception Deception occurs when someone intentionally provides false or misleading information to influence another person’s beliefs. Key cognitive skills involved Theory of Mind Recognizing that
shahhian
49 minutes ago2 min read
Theory of Mind, what is it:
Theory of Mind (ToM) is the ability to understand that other people have their own thoughts, beliefs, feelings, intentions, and perspectives, which may be different from your own. Simple Definition It is the mental capacity to “read minds” indirectly, not literally, but by inferring what someone else might be thinking or feeling. Key Idea People with Theory of Mind recognize that: Others can believe things that are false Others have different knowledge Others have inten
shahhian
1 hour ago1 min read
Contextually Awareness, explained:
Contextual Awareness refers to the ability to understand a situation by recognizing and interpreting the context surrounding it. It means being aware not only of what is happening, but also of the environment, relationships, timing, intentions, and background factors that influence what is happening. Simple Definition Contextual awareness: understanding behavior, events, or information within the situation and circumstances in which they occur. Key Elements of Contextual Awar
shahhian
2 hours ago1 min read
Situational Awareness, the Mindset, an explanation:
Situational Awareness Mindset is the habit of actively perceiving, understanding, and anticipating what is happening around you so you can respond effectively and safely. It is both a cognitive skill and a mental attitude that keeps a person alert to environmental cues, risks, and opportunities. Core Components of Situational Awareness Three levels: 1. Perception (Noticing) Recognizing relevant elements in the environment . Examples: Noticing unusual behavior in a crowd He
shahhian
4 hours ago2 min read
Spiritual & Existential Exploration, explained:
Spiritual & Existential Exploration refers to the process of deeply examining questions about meaning, purpose, identity, consciousness, and the nature of existence. It involves reflecting on both spiritual realities (transcendent or metaphysical dimensions) and existential questions (the human condition and our place in the universe). 1. Existential Exploration (Philosophical Dimension) This focuses on fundamental questions such as: Why do we exist? What is the meaning of li
shahhian
5 hours ago2 min read
End-of-Life Coaches, what do they do:
End-of-Life Coaches (also called death doulas or death coaches) provide non-medical, emotional, practical, and spiritual support to individuals who are dying and to their families. They focus on helping people approach death with clarity, dignity, meaning, and reduced fear . Here’s what they typically do: 1. Emotional & Psychological Support Help clients process fear, regret, unfinished business, or existential anxiety Facilitate life review and meaning-making Support antic
shahhian
5 hours ago2 min read
End of Life Doula, what is it:
An End-of-Life Doula (also called a death doula or death midwife ) is a non-medical professional who provides emotional, practical, and spiritual support to individuals and families during the dying process. They serve a role similar to a birth doula, but at the end of life rather than the beginning. What an End-of-Life Doula Does 1. Emotional Support Sitting vigil Holding space for fear, grief, and meaning-making Facilitating life review conversations Supporting anticipat
shahhian
9 hours ago1 min read
Mentalization-Based Therapy (MBT), explained:
es and the mental states of others, such as thoughts, feelings, intentions, and motivations. This ability is called Mentalization. Core Idea Mentalization means being able to ask questions like: “Why did I react that way?” “What might the other person have been thinking or feeling?” “Could I be misinterpreting their intention?” MBT helps people pause and reflect on internal experiences rather than reacting impulsively . Research later showed it might also help with: trauma-
shahhian
9 hours ago2 min read
Stress-Induced Dissociated Behavior, an explanation:
Dissociation is a disruption in the normal integration of: Awareness Memory Identity Emotion Perception Body sensation It exists on a spectrum, from mild spacing out to more severe fragmentation. How Stress Triggers Dissociation When stress becomes overwhelming, especially if it feels inescapable, unpredictable, or threatening, the nervous system may shift from: " PLEASE CONSULT A NEUROLOGIST " Fight-or-flight : sympathetic activation Freeze / shutdown : parasympathetic dorsa
shahhian
3 days ago2 min read
White Line Fever, what is it:
White Line Fever, more formally known as highway hypnosis, is a psychological driving phenomenon in which a person drives a vehicle for long distances and enters a trance-like mental state. During this state, the driver may continue driving safely but has little or no conscious memory of the last few miles traveled. Key Characteristics Automatic Driving The driver operates the car automatically (steering, braking, staying in lane). Actions occur with minimal conscious awaren
shahhian
4 days ago2 min read
Highway Hypnosis, what is it:
Highway hypnosis (also called “white line fever”) is a state of automatic driving in which a person operates a vehicle for a long stretch, often on a highway, and later realizes they don’t clearly remember part of the trip . It’s not literal hypnosis. It’s a form of dissociation and automatic processing. What Happens Neurologically? "PLEASE CONSULT A NEUROLOGIST " When driving becomes highly familiar and repetitive: The brain shifts control from conscious, effortful attentio
shahhian
4 days ago2 min read
Auditory Verbal Hallucinations (AVH), an explanation:
"PLEASE CONSULT a NEUROLOGIST, and/or a PSYCHIATRIST " speech without an external sound source. The voices are perceived as real and distinct from one’s own internal thoughts. They might be more common than many people assume and occur across multiple clinical and non-clinical populations. What They Typically Involve AVH can vary widely in form: A single voice or multiple voices Male, female, familiar, or unfamiliar voices Speaking in second person (“You are worthless”) Thir
shahhian
4 days ago2 min read
Self-Defeating Prophecy vs Self-Sabotage:
They are related but not exactly the same. A self-defeating prophecy is a specific psychological mechanism that can lead to self-sabotage, but self-sabotage is the broader concept. 1. Self-Defeating Prophecy A self-defeating prophecy happens when a belief or expectation about failure causes behaviors that make the failure actually occur . Process: A person believes something negative will happen. That belief changes their behavior (often unconsciously). The behavior cont
shahhian
4 days ago1 min read
Self-Defeating Prophecy, explained:
A Self-Defeating Prophecy is a concept in mental health and social science where a prediction or expectation about the future causes people to act in ways that prevent the prediction from coming true. It is essentially the opposite of a self-fulfilling prophecy. Definition : A self-defeating prophecy occurs when: A prediction is made about an desirable or undesirable outcome. People believe the prediction. They change their behavior to prevent it. As a result, the predicted e
shahhian
4 days ago1 min read
Birth-Order Psychology, explained:
Birth-order psychology is the theory that a person’s position in their family (firstborn, middle child, youngest, or only child) influences their personality development, behavior patterns, and life outcomes. Core Idea Family dynamics Sibling competition Parental attention patterns Perceived role within the family It’s less about actual order and more about the psychological position the child experiences. Common Birth-Order Patterns Firstborn Often described as: Responsibl
shahhian
4 days ago2 min read
Middle Child Syndrome, an explanation:
Middle Child Syndrome is a popular term (not a formal psychiatric diagnosis) used to describe a pattern sometimes observed in second-born or “middle” children within a family system. It comes from ideas in birth-order psychology, that birth order possibly can influence personality development. What Is It? “Middle Child Syndrome” refers to the idea that middle children may feel: Overlooked or less noticed Less special than the firstborn Less dependent or “babied” than the youn
shahhian
6 days ago2 min read
Schizoaffective Disorder, explained:
"PLEASE CONSULT WITH A PSYCHIATRIST, MEDICAL DOCTOR." Schizoaffective Disorder is a psychiatric condition characterized by a combination of: Psychotic symptoms (similar to Schizophrenia) Mood episodes (similar to Bipolar disorder or Major depressive disorder) It sits at the intersection of psychotic and mood disorders. Core Features 1. Psychotic Symptoms These may include: Hallucinations (often auditory) Delusions Disorganized thinking or speech Disorganized or catatonic beha
shahhian
6 days ago1 min read
Severe Major Depression with Psychosis, what is it:
“PLEASE CONSULT WITH A NEUROLOGIST, MEDICAL DOCTOR.” Severe Major Depression with Psychosis (also called psychotic depression) is a subtype of Major Depressive Disorderin which a person experiences severe depressive symptoms plus psychotic features (loss of contact with reality). Clinically, it could be referred to as: Major Depressive Disorder with psychotic features Core Components A. Severe Major Depression Profound depressed mood Marked anhedonia Psychomotor retardation o
shahhian
6 days ago2 min read
Behavioral Neuroscience, an explanation:
“PLEASE CONSULT A NEUROLOGIST, MEDICAL DOCTOR” Behavioral Neuroscience (also called Biological Psychology, Biopsychology, or Psychobiology) is the scientific study of how the brain and nervous system influence behavior, thoughts, and emotions. It asks a core question: How do biological processes produce psychological experience and behavior? What It Studies Behavioral neuroscience examines how structures like the: “PLEASE CONSULT A NEUROLOGIST, MEDICAL DOCTOR” Amygdala, fear,
shahhian
6 days ago1 min read
Psychophysiological, what is it:
Psychophysiological refers to the interaction between psychological processes (thoughts, emotions, perception, stress) and physiological processes (brain activity, heart rate, hormones, immune function, muscle tension). “CONSULT WITH A MEDICAL DOCTOR” It literally means: “How the mind affects the body, and how the body affects the mind.” Core Idea Psychophysiology studies how mental states produce measurable bodily changes. For example: Anxiety: increased heart rate, sweatin
shahhian
6 days ago1 min read
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