Posts

Showing posts from March, 2023

Reasons for Avoiding Eye Contact

Reasons for Avoiding Eye Contact Some individuals struggle to keep eye contact here are some of the reasons why. Natural Tendency :  Some people may just have a natural tendency to look away or not make eye contact during a conversation, even if they are being truthful and honest. This might simply be learned behaviour from experience. Social Anxiety :  People with social anxiety disorder or other types of anxiety may find it difficult to maintain eye contact because it makes them feel uncomfortable or exposed. They may over worry about being judged or scrutinized by the person they are talking to. Autism Spectrum Disorder :  People on the Autism spectrum often have difficulty with social interaction, including maintaining eye contact. They may find it overwhelming or distracting, or simply not understand its importance. Cultural Differences:  Eye contact can have different meanings in different cultures. While in some cultures, avoiding eye contact is a sign of respect, and in others

Autism ADHD and Genius

  Autism ADHD and Genius  Is Autism historically associated with being a genius?  Autism was not formally recognized as a diagnosis until the 20th century, so it is difficult to retrospectively diagnose historical figures with Autism.  Therefore, it seems to be a common myth that Autism is historically associated with genius, and that individuals with autism are more likely to possess exceptional intelligence or creative abilities. Also the association between autism and genius is based on anecdotal evidence and historical accounts, rather than rigorous scientific research.  Autism is a complex and multifaceted condition that affects individuals in different ways. While some individuals with autism may possess exceptional abilities and talents, others may face significant challenges and difficulties.  There are certainly many individuals with Autism who are highly intelligent and talented, however it is important to recognize that this stereotype is not necessarily reflective of the ex

Is Autism and/or ADHD/ADD a form of "superpower"?

  Is Autism and/or ADHD/ADD a form of "superpower"? Autism and ADHD/ADD are not a "superpower" or a universally positive trait.  Some individuals with Autism may excel in certain areas, but may also experience significant challenges and difficulties, including social isolation, communication difficulties, and sensory overload.  Some people on social media view their ADHD/ADD condition as a "superpower" or a source of unique strengths and abilities. This perspective is often based on the recognition that the symptoms of ADHD/ADD, such as impulsivity, hyperactivity, and distractibility, can sometimes be harnessed in positive ways. Some individuals with ADHD/ADD may excel in creative fields, such as art or music, where their ability to think outside the box and generate novel ideas can be an asset. Others may be drawn to high-pressure or high-intensity occupations, such as emergency medicine or law enforcement, where their quick thinking and ability to remain

Is Autism and/or ADHD/ADD a part of natural human evolution?

Is Autism and/or ADHD/ADD a part of natural human evolution? A relatively new area of research which is ongoing, and the evidence is not yet conclusive, is examining the hypothesis that Autism and/or ADHD/ADD may be a natural part of human evolution and adaptation. This theory suggests that the genes that contribute to Autism and/or ADHD/ADD may have provided some selective advantage to humans in the past, and that the high prevalence of Autism and/or ADHD/ADD in modern times may be due in part to the persistence of these genes in the population. Some researchers have suggested that traits commonly associated with Autism, such as heightened sensory sensitivity and attention to detail, and traits commonly associated with ADHD/ADD, such as impulsivity and hyperactivity, may have been advantageous in certain contexts, such as hunting, toolmaking, or warfare. Autistic individuals may have played a valuable role in early human societies as specialists in certain tasks or knowledge domains.

Undiagnosed Autism and/or ADHD/ADD and Other Mental Health

Undiagnosed Autism and/or ADHD/ADD and Other Mental Health  Individuals with undiagnosed Autism may struggle with social interaction, communication, and sensory processing, those who struggle to understand and navigate social situations may be at increased risk of developing anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders. This can be due to the stress and frustration of feeling misunderstood or excluded, as well as the challenges of adapting to new or unexpected situations. They may also have difficulty with executive functioning skills such as planning and organization, which can lead to stress, frustration, and emotional dysregulation. In addition, individuals with undiagnosed Autism may also be at increased risk of developing obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), particularly if they struggle with repetitive behaviors or fixations on certain interests or topics. They may also be at increased risk of developing eating disorders, such as anorexia or bulimia, particularly if they have di

Those With Drink and Drug Addictions Need Connection

Connections People with drug and drink problems often also have mental health issues and live in a catch-22 situation where they become disconnected from their social community, often they begin using a drug and find themselves in a new smaller community that they do not initially see as cut off. Later once their problem turns into addiction many find themselves extricated from their original communities. Their loved ones don't know how to help and support them, when they see them in such a muddle living in desperation it breaks their hearts. This often leads to a separation in what were once very strong loving bonds. Imagine the strings to your mother's apron being cut. Imagine losing your Dad, imagine watching your siblings and close friends moving on with their lives whilst you are caught in a rut, feet deep in mud, sinking slowly further down and further away from them all. When you started to sink some of them were on the sidelines and made many attempts to help you, offer

CBT Self Help and Recommendations

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy  One of the most important factors in physical, psychological and physiological health care is understanding the importance of engaging in human social interactions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a talking therapy that can help you manage your problems by changing the way you think and behave.  CBT aims to help people become aware of when they make negative interpretations in their thinking processes, and when they carry out behavioral patterns which reinforce their distorted thinking.  CBT is a practical problem-solving approach. By recognising problem areas, talking therapies help people develop alternative ways of thinking and behaving which aims to reduce their psychological distress and change the way they feel.   Help Speak to a qualified healthcare professional of you feel CBT could benefit your mental health and overall well being.  Local NHS services maybe available in your area that you can do a self referral for help.  Fur example in

Modern Communication Be Present With Your Children

A Problem Shared is a Problem Halved  Trapped and burdened with embarrassing emotional issues is unhealthy, the value of sharing one’s weighted problems truly can lighten the load we carry daily.  Modern Communications  In modern day society, our interactions with one another are more often via computers using SMS, chat, and email by using computers and wireless networking technologies to connect with one another. These new communication techniques bring us both benefits and new concerns and problems. Communication by tapping a message into a computer whether synchronous or asynchronous is both singular and limited, the true face to face value is lost, your senses have nothing to go on but words on a screen and the smallest grammatical errors can lead to misinterpretation and miscommunication.  Benefits of Modern Communication Methods Accessibility Ability to easily communicate across distances  Mobility   Mobility able to continue to communicate whilst on the go  Speed Fast communicat

UK Reduced Overseas Aid But Still Donate Well

Image
The UK Reduced Overseas Aid in 2021 But Still Donate Well Overall The UK announced a temporary reduction in the overseas aid budget from 0.7% to 0.5% in Nov 2020, due to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020 the UK was 1 of only 7 countries who still met the 0.7% of GNI oversea aid target.    In 2021 only five countries Denmark, Germany, Luxembourg, Norway, and Sweden met the 0.7% of GNI target. It was the first year since 2013, that the UK didn't reach the ODA target of 0.7% of GNI. The UK slipped into ninth place with an ODA of 0.5% of GNI. I was unhappy that the UK Gov reduced overseas aid. However the UK kick-started COVAX in 2020 and is one of the largest donors to COVAX, helping roll out the COVID vaccination to other countries to help beat the pandemic, like the Philippines, Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Cambodia, Guyana, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kenya, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Thailand and Vietnam. " Over half a billion d

Twenty Most World Famous Environmental Activists

Twenty Most World Famous Environmental Activists Greta Thunberg -  Greta is a Swedish environmental activist who gained international recognition for her campaigns on climate change, which began in August 2018. She is the founder of Fridays for Future, a global movement that urges young people to protest against climate inaction. Sir David Attenborough -  Sir David Attenborough is an English broadcaster and naturalist who has spent much of his career producing and narrating documentaries on the natural world. He is a leading voice on environmental issues, particularly on the dangers of climate change. Dr. Jane Goodall -  Dr. Jane Goodall is a British primatologist and anthropologist, known for her groundbreaking studies of chimpanzees. She is also an environmental activist and founder of the Jane Goodall Institute, which works to protect chimpanzees and their habitats. Al Gore -  Al Gore is an American politician and environmental activist who served as Vice President of the United

'Reconsidering Informed Consent for Trans-Identified Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults' research by Levine et al 2022

Image
  Skip to Main Content                 PDF   EPUB Share icon Skip to Main Content   Log in   |    Register   Cart Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy  Volume 48, 2022 -  Issue 7   Open access 54,250 Views   12 CrossRef citations to date   878 Altmetric Listen Reviews Reconsidering Informed Consent for Trans-Identified Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults Stephen B. Levine , E. Abbruzzese  & Julia W. Mason Pages 706-727 | Published online: 17 Mar 2022 Download citation https://doi.org/10.1080/0092623X.2022.2046221 CrossMark In this article Abstract In less than a decade, the western world has witnessed an unprecedented rise in the numbers of children and adolescents seeking gender transition. Despite the precedent of years of gender-affirmative care, the social, medical and surgical interventions are still based on very low-quality evidence. The many risks of these interventions, including medicalizing a temporary adolescent identity, have come into a clearer focus through an aw