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Debt is much more than just money and being in debt can lead you to a host of psychological issues. It does not matter if you term it as ‘good debt’ or ‘bad debt’ because both have the potential to adversely affect you.
According to creditcards.com, the average North American has almost $16000 in credit card debt, and 39% of them carry their credit card debt from month to month. On other hand, an average American will graduate from college with a whopping $400000 in student loans, while those who pursue higher degrees or switched their majors may owe significantly higher than other students. According to a Federal Reserve Board survey, every one in five borrowers owes approximately $50000 in student loans.
Now you may round this off with car loans, mortgages, personal loans, and other kinds of debt. Therefore it is safer to assume that most Americans carry some form of debt to their shoulders.
That debt affects them in many ways. Regardless of the quantity of debt, the most common psychological issues are directly related to debt.
1. Anxiety and Depression
The University of Nottingham conducted research under the leadership of Dr. John Gatherwood. He studied the correlation between carrying debt and any potential depression and anxiety associated with it. In his study, it was found out that, people who struggle to pay off their debts and loans are more likely to undergo mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.
There is an array of emotions that can arise due to triggers, like constantly worrying about money, overwhelming feelings having no end in sight, extreme hopelessness, and severe anxiety.
Similarly, people under household debts also did not vary in conditions. Rather they showed higher stress and depression ratios as compared to others.
2. Chronic Stress
It should not come as surprise to you that stress and debt come hand in hand. With mountains of owed money piling on your shoulders, it is but natural to feel worried about how you are going to pay them off and whether you will be able to get out of it.
If you are under a substantial amount of debt, even your otherwise smooth job will seem chaotic for you. Your stress levels will spike because losing your job will be even more catastrophic to your dwindling financial position. Whenever you want to spend money on simple needs like grocery or paying for utilities will cause stress.
As per the American Psychological Association, there are a whopping 64% of college students who claim that their constant fear over their debt interferes with their optimal performance in life. People who are directly dealing with their debt are more than ever under chronic stress, anxiety, and depression. This isn’t surprising at all because the higher your debt is, the chances of you falling into the quagmire of stress doubles.
One often misunderstood point is that stress just does not affect your work and daily activities. It also rips off normal circumstances that were otherwise productive and affirmative. If you thought that spending money will make you happy, your debt will make it vanish in one go. So before you decide to splurge on a new pair of sneakers, an electronic gadget, or dinner with friends at a lavish joint, remember these will not provide you happiness, rather it will be replaced by stress due to your debt.
3. Bitterness
Not just you, debt is fairly rough on everyone, more when it takes its toll on your marriage, family, and happiness. Your spouse or partner will resent you, as a method of coping with the debt. It is not highly uncommon to blame your spouse for their spending habits that lead to excessive debts. Arguments over debt are the most common reason for couples to fall into divorce. Larger amounts also adversely affect the psychological well-being of households.
It’s not just in the households that we feel bitter, but you will also have resentment feeling for your boss for not paying you enough, or giving you a raise. You will also feel bitter towards your financial dependents who will affect your mental health. If you are a student, you will blame your parents or counselors for not making you fully aware of student loans.
And in the end, many people show resentment towards themselves because of their decisions that led them into debt. No matter what made them indulge in debt, it is always predictable that they look back with deep regret.
4. Profound Frustration and Anger
Debt is something hard to win unless it takes you into the red zone. It is especially devastating and frustrating because of the reasons that were beyond your control.
When you are on vacations, or dining out with friends, or spending lavishly on shopping trips, you don’t consider falling under the debt trap because these moments impart happiness. Similarly, college loans are also a different story as they give you a degree and make you a graduate.
But the most frustrating part is when you have to deal with unforeseen circumstances that lead you to debt, such as medical bills, death of a loved one, job loss, major car or home repair and other such expenses.
These are the top reasons why millions of young adults dealing with such kinds of debt declare themselves bankrupt each year. What could be worse is the debt reminds people constantly about the negative and agonizing events that happened in the first place.
5. Panic
You constantly panic about the repercussions that accompany your debt. As you are struggling with the payments you fear eviction or closure of your home, bankruptcy, disconnection of your utilities or simply falling into more debt. You also fear losing your job which further wrecks your mental health.
Debt also panics you about never getting out of it, or debt affecting your relationships. Studies also link debt to be one main reason why young adults don’t want to settle into marriages.
Therefore, if you want to feel independent, freedom and relief, you should choose to live a lifestyle that doesn't burden you paying off debts. This can lead to improved mental and physical health as well.
When you come to know about the betrayal of your partner, the news hits you like nothing else in the world. You fell into despair all of a sudden and you are not even sure if you want to be better. You don’t even know how to deal with your husband or wife when you find out that they are cheating on you. The feeling of being lost is completely justified and fine.
Sooner or later you have to realise that you out to survive infidelity. This is not how you want to spend the rest of your life, crying over your partner who betrayed you. So, here are some tips that you can use for surviving infidelity:
1. Don’t underestimate the shock
There is a lot of difference between having suspicious and knowing for sure. There is a belief in every relationship that betrayal cannot happen to you given that you are the kindest one. This belief can leave you in denial and make the survival worst.
The shock of being betrayed is a big deal. Your world turns upside down and you doubt yourself. It is normal to feel panicky, stressed, and enraged. Accept that it has happened to you and get it all out.
2. Take a deep breath
It seems absurd, but yes, you need to take a long breath. Slowly taking deep breaths can help in calming down and controlling the anxiety attacks. Your nervous system is being bombarded with stress, panic, and anxiety. You need to relax your nervous system by relaxing yourself. Breathing slowly sends the signals to the hypothalamus where the relaxation response is induced.
3. Expect a Tsunami of Emotions
You just have been betrayed, expect a pool of strong emotions flooding out of you. Those emotions will be disorienting and confusing. It might be a mix up of rage, confusion, sadness, insecurity, grief, insecurity, and fear. Allow these emotions to be felt and don’t try to avoid them. Don’t rush through the process of surviving infidelity.
4. Seek Support
You cannot do this on your own. For once, you might be all ready to handle your current situation, but soon you will lose control and get back to the dark side of your room. For this not to happen, seek support from a reliable friend, a counsellor, minister, or teacher. There are a lot of people around you who have can support you, but be selective when choosing the one. They should be someone who could protect your confidentiality, listen to you and keep your secret. It is a big step towards the healing process.
5. Control the fire of revenge
Along with the feelings of anger and rage, you might feel a strong urge to take revenge. These feelings force people to do things that they will revenge later. Your impulse to hurt your partner is instinctive and you might also want to call their parents, friends, colleagues and tell them what type of person your partner turned out to be.While these actions might give you immediate gratification but later you are going to regret these actions. So, it is better to stop right now and think that the fight is among you two and no one else.
6. Involving The Family
Remember families will always support their loved ones. Your family is loyal to you and they will say anything they can to make sure you feel good. They will blame your partner for everything and take your side. While these are the good things to listen to, but you will be taken to the land of self-pity because of this. And, belief or not, no one can solve your issues for you. So, think a lot before involving the family.
7. No Time to Big Decisions
This is the time when you will want to make big decisions, but all of these decisions will be based on emotions like rage and anger. You might not be able to even think rationally let alone make wise decisions.
So, it is better to keep the changes to your life in that phase to a minimum. Stay in your home, don’t make any decisions related to business, your profession, or any personal matter.
8. Don’t involve the kids
This is all between you and your spouse. If you have kids, they shouldn’t be involved in all of this. Their childhood can be destroyed with a single wrong step you take at the moment. Remember that both of you will always be their parents. So, it is better to shield them from any adult matters you are having in between you. Don’t even try to make them understand the issue because their brains are not ready for it yet.
9. Grieve is the only option
Elizabeth Kubler Ross defined five stages of grief; denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. This is the pattern that people experience when they are facing something equivalent to imminent death. Researches have shown that people who lose a loved one, have gone through a divorce, or some fatal disease also faces the same stages of grief.
The grief period is different for different people. Some go through all these stages, some skip one or two. Whatever it is for you, stick to it and don’t try to skip the grief process. You owe it to yourself.
10. It takes Time
You need to have complete faith in recovery. Nothing happens overnight. Your partner has just cheated on you, betrayed you after a long successful relationship. Getting yourself out it also takes a lot of time. But, you have to be patient with the process. The more consistent you are, the better will be the result.
Once you have gone through the process and have made it out of infidelity successfully, you will feel proud of yourself. All the time when you stopped yourself from doing anything wrong, didn’t make any wrong decisions, didn’t do anything out of revenge, will feel like a victory for you.
Surrogacy is an arrangement in which a woman carries and bears a child for another person.
People opt for surrogacy for different reasons. These reasons might range from medical conditions which make it difficult for some women to conceive naturally to, helping same-sex couples or single people make use of gestational surrogacy to complete their families.
Commissioning couples put in a lot of effort and money in hiring a surrogate mother for their baby. For intended mothers, surrogacy might be a mixture of a lot of emotions: relief, joy, hope, gratitude for the uterus donor but for some women, especially those hiring a surrogate due to medical reasons, it might result in a feeling of guilt. The feeling of being a failure might cause them to, eventually, start resenting the donor.
The couple or individual hiring a surrogate is often asked questions like why they want to have a baby this way rather than adopting out of so many orphans. This social pressure and judgment from peers can cause a lot of stress for the adoptive parents.
The adoptive parents are also concerned about the emotional attachment of the child to them. They fear that the child might not be as emotionally attached to them as a child born through natural pregnancy. For this reason, most couples try to stay connected to the surrogate mother for the term of pregnancy.
Gestational surrogacy is a complicated process and involves an overwhelming legal process. These stressful medical procedures and legal work put a lot of strain on both the surrogate mother and the adoptive parents.
Like in the case of a normal pregnancy, one does not know how the process of surrogate pregnancy will affect them until they go through with it. Sometimes the commissioning parents have to relinquish control and trust the surrogate mother, which might prove difficult for them. There is no hard and fast right or wrong, but openness and transparency are recommended throughout the journey.
Choosing to have a baby is a huge step in one’s life. This step becomes even more huge when one opts to have a baby for someone else. Surrogacy is a huge responsibility for the uterus donor, which involves tackling a rollercoaster of emotions before and after the pregnancy.
There have been only a few studies into the social and psychological impacts of surrogacy. Still, surrogate pregnancy is often considered a high-risk emotional experience for surrogate mothers. Surrogate mothers should receive professional counseling before and after the pregnancy.
Opting to become a uterus donor is physically demanding. In addition to pregnancy's typical physical challenges, surrogate mothers need to undergo additional screenings and lengthy and complicated fertility treatment. It often takes a year or more to complete the whole process and requires a lot of commitment.
The use of assisted reproductive technology(ART) may have lasting emotional effects on the ovule-donor mother. Surrogate mothers might develop emotional bonding with their fetus during pregnancy, and hence it might become difficult for them to hand over the child to intending parents.
There is a high risk of postpartum depression in surrogate mothers. They often experience feelings of guilt and anger both before and after they give up the babies to the commissioning parents.
Some women undergo surrogacy because of financial troubles without having full knowledge of the emotional and social consequences of the process.
Surrogate mothers are often reported to be concerned about babies having abnormalities due to the assisted reproductive technological process used for the baby's conception. Young and financially strained uterus donors are concerned more about the possibility because they have no idea what they would do with a baby with abnormalities if the commissioning parents don’t want it.
In cases where the surrogate mother is a married woman, the strain on husband and wife's marital relations is often observed. Husbands of ovule-donor mothers have reported that they cannot have sexual intercourse with their wife because somebody else’s baby is in her belly.
Surrogate mothers, if they have other children, find it very hard to explain why they would not be taking the baby home with them and why they have to give ‘their baby’ to somebody else. Mothers were also reported to be concerned about how their children would view them once they knew the truth about the pregnancy.
In cases where the uterus donor experience any health problems like bleeding during pregnancy, they become more concerned for the money rather than their own and the fetus’s health. Any concern showed from the side of commissioning parents is taken as a pressure, further adding to the worries of the surrogate mother.
One must also not forget the controversial social aspect of surrogacy. More often than not, surrogate mothers are frowned upon by society. This results in emotional tumult and adverse effects on the psychological health of the uterus donor.
Some donor mothers are forced to hide the truth about their pregnancy for fear of social censure. They often attribute the pregnancy to their husbands and then announce a stillborn at the end of pregnancy. Some women are also found to stop socializing with friends and relatives until they deliver the baby to the commissioning parents.
A lack of a written contract is a point of concern for the surrogate mothers. They fear what would happen to their money if they miscarry or if the adoptive parents renege on the contract.
In rare cases, surrogate mothers receive money only after they deliver the baby. The uterus donors who are under financial strains have to ask for money from the commissioning parents throughout the pregnancy; otherwise, they might not be able to spend on food and prenatal medications adequately.
Whether you are considering to be a gestational carrier or commissioning parents, it is suggested that you seek help from surrogacy professionals like a surrogacy agency to avoid any complications. Surrogacy counseling is also advised before, during, and after the process to prevent any emotional struggle.
Parents and surrogates need all the social support they can, and seeking comfort in people who are also going through the same process must be considered. Online surrogacy support groups are a forum that helps both the surrogate mother and the commissioning couple. Reach out for support, and don’t think that you are alone in the journey.
Most of us remember trolls from a childhood story, The Three Billy Goats: they were big, they were terrible, they were quarrelsome, they were antisocial, and they always hid under bridges. The same is the case with internet trolls. These internet bullies hide behind their computers, phones, or tablets and do their utmost best to cause online misery.
Trolls are people who create and spread offensive messages over the internet to upset a particular person or a specific class of people. These people usually select easy targets like public figures or an oppressed class. Victims are often targeted because of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or disability.
Online trolling ranges from profanity and name-calling to personal attacks, sexual harassment, or hate speech. Approximately four in every ten Americans have faced trolling, and this figure has increased drastically over the past year.
Reasons for trolling vary from person to person. Some people do it out of boredom, and some want to get a response from the celebrity they idealize. Some do it for seeking attention, while there may be others who have negative social potency.
According to research, people who are insecure and want to get a kick out of being hostile towards others are more likely to troll. People with a propensity to seek excessive stimulation have often been found trolling.
A psychoanalytic study suggests that people with antisocial, narcissistic behavior and sadistic personality disorder are more likely to perpetrate trolling behavior. These people derive pleasure and enjoyment from being intentionally cruel to others.
There are trollers who are just jealous people who wish to lash out at successful people like celebrities because they have all the fun and happiness in life which the troller lacks. Educated, strong and successful women give such people a colossal inferiority complex, which they show by lashing out at them.
Trollers tend to tease and exploit human errors and weaknesses. They wish to gain a reaction and then troll them some more to further upset their victims to have some fun. The best way to deal with such people is to ignore them. Being ignored kills their fun and they move onto their next target.
It has been observed that men are more likely to troll as compared to women because society tends to encourage traits of arrogance, dominance, and competitiveness in men.
Psychologists suggest that anonymity plays a vital role in trolling. People feel a lack of restraint when they are communicating online. They tend to easily say things over the internet that they would not say in face-to-face communication.
Factors such as mood also play a vital role in trolling. When people are in a negative mood, they tend to vent their negativity through their messages. Many people being tagged as trolls might just be people like us who are having a bad day though they could have chosen a better way to deal with it.
The context of a discussion is a likely reason for trolling. If a discussion opens with a trolling comment, it is more likely to be trolled by almost all the participants in the discussion. Thus a single troll comment can lead to worse reactions to a well-intended or harmless message.
More often than not, trolling is revenge-driven. In these cases, the troller personally knows the victim and feels that the target has committed a personal offense against him, and he seeks to tarnish the reputation of the target as just revenge. In some severe cases, this sort of trolling has even led to suicide as the victim feels highly threatened.
It has been observed that even ordinary people can also troll others if they are influenced in an online community. The desire to be seen as cool amongst online friends, and to feel a part of the pack of wolves drawing blood, is often a reason for trolling in teenagers. When members of a group are trolling a single target, trollers achieve a sense of belonging by conforming to the group’s behavior, no matter how inappropriate.
At times people are so rigid in their beliefs that they engage in trolling behavior when they feel that their belief is being threatened. This is often the case when a discussion is about religion and politics. They feel justified in trolling when they believe the victim has somehow committed an offense against them by stating a contradictory point of view.
Sometimes people just wish to express a different point of view than others which is taken as trolling. These people might just be facing miscommunication issues rather than actual trolling. Disagreement must not be taken as trolling in this case.
Corporate organizations, political parties, and even some countries resort to hiring trolls to further their causes. Fake identities and accounts on social media are being used to create bias, to harass, to manipulate and to deceive opponents.
Spreading misinformation is one of the primary purposes of trolling. This type of trolling is usually agenda-driven and conducted through fake accounts and pseudonyms. The basic purpose of this sort of trolling is to create counterfeit perceptions regarding a situation. They demonstrate a numerical strength and pose a threat by sheer numbers, if not merit.
There are some pervert trollers who make inappropriate comments and sexual innuendos. Some even go as far as threats of rape and derive perverse pleasure out of it. If ignored, they might turn into future molesters and rapists.
It is high time that appropriate steps are taken to manage trolls by increasing control over online spaces. Social platforms must redesign their harassment reporting procedures. The user who posts comments with profanities, threats, and hate-speech must be blocked forever from the forum.
There should be a way to put a stop to fake accounts and accounts with pseudonyms as trolling and online harassment can never be eradicated entirely without this vital step. Accounts of users must be linked with their identity like social media platforms should require a passport number or ID card number so that in case of a severe issue like sexual trolling, the member can easily be traced. The loss of anonymity might prove to be a check enough to discourage such abhorrent behaviour.
Lastly, the role of legislation must not be ignored. Laws must be made to include trolling and online harassment in punishable offenses and to hold trollers more accountable for their actions.
Addiction is a complex disease that can take over your life. It can be tough to manage your cravings and withdrawal symptoms during addiction recovery, but with a little bit of planning and perseverance, you can make it through this challenging time.
Here are a few tips for managing your cravings and withdrawal symptoms during addiction recovery:
1. Understand your triggers
What are the things that trigger your cravings? Identify your triggers and try to avoid them. If you can't avoid them, be prepared with a plan to deal with them.
For example, if you're trying to stay sober from alcohol, you might avoid going to bars or parties. If you can't avoid them, you might plan to drink non-alcoholic beverages.
On the other hand, if you're trying to quit smoking, you might avoid places where people are smoking. If you can't avoid them, you might carry gum or mints to help you resist the urge to smoke.
2. Have a support system
It's important to have people who will support you during your addiction recovery. These people can provide emotional and practical support. They can also help you stay accountable.
Your support system might include friends, family members, a therapist, or a recovery group. You can look for online Suboxone doctors, alcoholics anonymous groups or other resources that can help you find the support you need. There are many online resources available for people trying to manage their cravings and withdrawal symptoms during addiction recovery.
3. Create a structure for your day
When you're in recovery, it's important to have a daily routine. This can help you stay focused and on track. Having a structure for your day can also help you avoid triggers and manage cravings.
Your daily routine might include things like going to work, working out, spending time with family or friends, or attending a recovery meeting. Find activities that make you feel good and stick to them.
4. Distract yourself from cravings
When you're trying to resist a craving, it can help to distract yourself. This can be anything that takes your mind off of your craving.
Some ideas for distracting yourself from cravings include:
- listening to music
- reading
- watching a movie
- playing a game
- talking to a friend
5. Practice deep breathing
Deep breathing is a simple but effective way to cope with cravings. When you're dealing with a craving, take a few deep breaths and focus on your breath. This can help you relax and focus on something other than your craving.
In addition, deep breathing can help you manage withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety and stress.
Addiction can be a difficult disease to overcome, but with the right tools and support, you can manage your cravings and withdrawal symptoms. These tips should help you get started on your journey to recovery. Remember to stay positive and don't give up when things get tough. With time and patience, you can beat addiction and reclaim your life. The bottom line is that you're not alone in this fight. There are people and resources available to help you every step of the way. So reach out for help when you need it and stay strong. You can do this!
Cryptocurrency is an efficient means of transferring money over the internet. It is an alternative to conventional fiat money with a decentralized network and a transparent set of rules. It was first introduced in the year 2008, in the wake of the global financial crisis, as a way for people to control their own money rather than the banks and the government. The cryptocurrency’s price is determined by the demand and supply of the market. Facebook’s Libera, Bianca’s Venus, Ethereum, and Bitcoin are a few cryptocurrencies.
At first, many people were skeptical regarding whether to invest in cryptocurrency of any kind because the market was considered highly volatile and faced considerable fluctuations in prices. Still, over the past decade, countries like Australia, Japan, and Switzerland have smoothed the way for investment in cryptocurrency by introducing laws and regulations to make payments through cryptocurrency easier. Various corporations, including big names such as Microsoft, KFC, and Wikipedia, have started using cryptocurrency for payments. Low transaction fees, secure and fast international payments, and financial sovereignty are its primary appeal.
While some countries have welcomed cryptocurrencies with open arms, others have been actively trying to ban and stifle them. China, India, and Saudi Arabia are prominent names among countries where cryptocurrency trading is prohibited or where payments cannot be made using cryptocurrency. However, despite these bans and restrictions, the trade or usage of cryptocurrency, especially Bitcoin, has not been eradicated. People of these countries are still using sites like Paxful or Bisq to trade and invest in It. This fact proves that no government has the power to completely ban the use of Bitcoin unless they prohibit the use of the internet for the entire nation.
Bitcoin is by far the most successful cryptocurrency to date. It was launched in 2009, and since then, numerous people have invested in it. Bitcoin coin hit a new high in January 2021, reaching the price of US$ 42,000. Bitcoin’s user base has increased from 120,000 users in 2013 to 45 million users in 2020. Even the mainstream financial institutions are warming up to it now, but mostly the Bitcoin investors are relatively young males aging between 31-40 years. However, most people still believe that all the hype is just a bubble; it’s too risky an investment and is susceptible to fraud.
There are various categories of people who are using and investing in Bitcoin at this point.
First and foremost are those whom Dan Lamier called “people with a cause.” These are the people belonging mostly to developed countries going out of their ways to use Bitcoin. They want it to be successful, much like the people who are buying electric cars and want the world to go green. According to a survey carried out by 2gether, most of such users are involved in white-collar work with an advanced academic background. These buyers of Bitcoin are mostly making use of the cryptocurrency to make payments for traveling and eating out.
Next is the category of people belonging to countries with high rates of inflation. In such countries, people view Bitcoin as a store of value like gold and property. A trailer of this theory was seen during the COVID 19 pandemic when the US started printing more currency notes to inject into the economy. The investors anticipated an increase in inflation in the US. As a result, Bitcoin prices hit a historic 250% price gain at the end of 2020.
It has been noted that in developing countries, the adaptation of Bitcoin is higher than in developed countries. In many countries, Bitcoin is also being used by investors as a hedge against political and economic instability. Nigeria and Columbia are amongst the list of countries where Bitcoin trading is the highest. Since the rate of Bitcoin is independent of any government, it is considered a haven asset. According to a survey, inhabitants of Venezuela and Zimbabwe usually invest in Bitcoin to protect their savings and access and sell their savings wherever and whenever they want to.
Then some people are investing in Bitcoin because they are attracted to its cult-like appeal. These people want to view themselves as radicals. They participate in Bitcoin conferences and feel cool using Bitcoin jargon. Such investors even have a preferred car to buy using Bitcoins: the Lamborghini.
Like in marketing and selling of all other commodities, social media and celebrities play a significant role in promoting Bitcoin. Paris Hilton and Jamie Foxx are amongst many stars who were amongst the first people to invest in Bitcoin. They even used their social media platforms like Twitter and Reddit to announce what they were up to. So many fans are now just following the lead of their beloved icons and investing in it too.
The volatility of the Bitcoin market is also appealing to the sense of thrill for many investors. People have likened the feel of investing in the Bitcoin market to being in Vegas. Here, there is always something happening, unlike the stock market. Many young people, especially those who liked playing video games, find the same adrenaline rush in the Bitcoin market. They are attracted to such high-risk investments makes perfect sense.
Then some people wish to hit it big. These people have invested whatever savings they had from other sources into Bitcoin to hope the value of Bitcoin will eventually rise. These are the long-term non-speculative investors who don’t already have access to a huge chunk of wealth. Such people are influenced by stories of other regular people who became rich by investing in Bitcoin.
The concept of fractional shares called satoshis enables people to invest a small amount at a time even though the selling price is soaring high. Many of the investors start small, do their research, and learn about making the right investments. These are the people trying to play it safe, thus proving that not all the investors are the ones who find glory in taking huge risks.
Elon Musk, the richest man on earth, is a supporter of Bitcoin. He has said that “Bitcoin is on the verge of getting broad acceptance by conventional finance people.” It’s predicted that Bitcoin could be worth more than US$ 1 trillion in under next ten years. Whether Bitcoin reaches its apex or the bubble will soon pop is yet to be seen.
When it comes to addiction, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. What works for one person may not work for another. That's why it's important to seek professional advice when dealing with addiction. Many different institutions offer addiction treatment, but not all of them are created equal. This blog post will discuss the importance of choosing the right institution for your needs. It will also provide advice from a psychologist on how to make the best decision possible.
According to seasoned psychologists, there are four key factors to consider when choosing an addiction institution.
1. Type of addiction being treated
The first factor is the type of addiction being treated. There are many different types of addictions, and each one requires a different approach. This means that if you need help in overcoming your alcohol addiction, you'll need a different treatment program than someone who is addicted to opioids. More often than not, people who are battling alcohol addiction are treated in a different facility than those with other types of addictions.
2. Location
The second factor to consider is the location of the institution. Some people may prefer a facility that's close to home, while others may want to travel for treatment. One of the main benefits of choosing a facility that's far from home is that it can provide a sense of anonymity. This may be important for people who are concerned about their privacy. On the other hand, traveling can be expensive and time-consuming. Hence, it's important to weigh the pros and cons of both options before making a decision.
3. Treatment approach
The third factor is the treatment approach used by the institution. Some programs are more holistic than others. Some focus on medication-assisted treatment, while others rely on traditional therapy methods. Medication-assisted treatment is effective in some cases, such as opioid addiction, but it's not right for everyone. Meanwhile, traditional therapy methods like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) are effective in treating a variety of addictions. However, it may not be the best option for people who are looking for a more holistic approach. It's important to find a program that uses a treatment approach that matches your needs.
4. Cost
The fourth and final factor to consider is cost. Not all addiction institutions are created equal in terms of the price tag. Some prove to be more expensive than others because of the location or the treatment approach. For example, a program that is located in a luxurious setting may be more expensive than one that's located in a more rural area. It's important to find an affordable one without sacrificing quality. This way, you can focus on your recovery without worrying about financial stress.
When deciding on an addiction institution, it's important to remember that there is no one-size-fits-all solution. There are many different factors to consider, and each person's needs will be different. Consult with a psychologist for advice on which institution is best for you. They will be able to aid you to weigh the pros and cons of each option and making the best decision for your unique situation.
The best way to combat stress is to learn how to manage it. Although, complete elimination of stress is difficult but it is important to deal with stressful situations to feel better. The following tips can help you to manage stress at work.
1.Track your stressors
Make a list of those situations that create most of the stress at your work. Record your information, feelings, and thoughts that you have about your work environments. Making some notes can help you to identify your stressors and your reactions to them.
2. Develop Healthy Responses
When you feel stress, do your best to feel the tension-free instead to fight stress with alcohol, drugs, and fast foods. Exercise is known as the great stress buster. Furthermore, you can also do Yoga and any other physical activity. Build healthy habits of sleep, diet, and limit your caffeine intake late in the day. Minimize the stimulating activities such as television and computer at night.
3. Learn how to relax
Many techniques such as mindfulness, deep breathing exercises can help you to get rid of stress. You can start with simple steps such as walking, breathing, or enjoying a meal. The skill of just focus on a single activity and to feel relax can also help you to apply it to many different aspects of life.
4. Establish Boundaries
It’s easy to feel pressure to be available 24 hours a day in today’s digital world. You need to establish some boundaries related to work. For example, not answering phone calls at dinner, or have a specific time to check for the emails while you are with your family. This will help you to manage your work-related stress.
5.Take time to recharge
We need time to replenish and return to our pre-stress level of functioning in order to avoid the negative effects of burnout and stress. Don’t waste your vacation days. This is often a recovery process so take time off to relax and unwind. So, when you come back to work, you will feel reinvigorated and ready to perform at your best.
After we have already explained that online therapy can be just as effective as face to face, and discussed its pros and cons and previous posts, now we wish to better explain in what cases a person can benefit from online therapy.
Before taking a look at the benefits though, we first need to assess what the most common mental health conditions are in order to know how applicable online therapy is.
1. Most common mental health conditions
The most common mental health condition in the UK is undoubtedly mixed anxiety and depression, which affects around 8 in every 100 people. In the US, the most common is phobias.
Generalized anxiety disorder is the second most common in the UK, affecting 6 in every 100 people, whilst post-traumatic stress disorder affects 4 in every 100. Depression and phobias come in at 4th and 5th.
In the US, it’s a little different, with anxiety, depression, and phobias having far and away the most with over 15 million sufferers each. However, these five or six conditions are all far and away the most common in most countries.
Clearly, mental health conditions are rife in the UK and US, but they also share similarities. Whilst not all, many of these overlap and can be treated with CBT - Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. It just so turns out that online therapy is highly effective in delivering CBT.
In the US, there are many more types of treatments available than the UK for mental health conditions. There certainly are ways to gain face to face treatment in the UK, but with fewer options, online therapy stakes its importance in society even more strongly. Generally, many of the top U.S. therapy sites are the ones that dominate the market too, so those looking for help in the UK may be using US treatment.
2. What can online therapy help with?
If we begin with depression, which is something many people will have experienced at one point or another, we can see that online therapy mostly uses either one of two evidence-based therapies: cognitive behavioural therapy and interpersonal therapy.
Cognitive behavioural therapy is essentially a way of spotting patterns in our thoughts. We identify the way we think in response to certain triggers, helping us spot the negative feedback loop before it happens. It helps us see our thoughts as more guesses than facts.
CBT is a process that demands a lot of time. Extra work can be assigned, but this is why online therapy is useful, because it’s more regular than physical sessions which tend to have long spaces between them.
As you can imagine, this kind of therapy relates to phobias, panic disorders, OCD, and anxiety. All of these can be helped by the way we identify and manage our thoughts.
Online therapy treatments go beyond CBT too. Interpersonal therapy (IPT) is a talking treatment which focuses on people and relationships in your life, which can often be the cause behind mental health conditions such as depression. The therapist may use techniques like role playing and it’s very goal focused, usually prioritizing the most pressing relational problems.
3. Can online counseling help me?
Both CBT and IPT are diagnoses-targeted and present-focused treatments that help people gain better control over their functioning and mood. You will never know how effective therapy will be for you until you try it, but to give it a chance of working, you must be 100% honest and cooperative. Statistically, around 70%-80% success rates (clients showing signs of improvements) are reported regarding therapy - and scientific studies show online therapy is just as effective.
Most of the major mental health disorders mentioned above are treatable by online therapists, but they won’t often declare their techniques on the website beforehand. Instead, you will likely take a short assessment of questions, type in a budget, and they will assign you a therapy plan. In this sense, you have to afford them your trust in choosing the right path forward.
4. First session
The first session with an online therapist usually involves clarifying the areas in life that you wish to focus on and what your goals are - it will seem like general introductions to you, but for the therapist it’s very valuable information. Of course, prior to this, you will have already established which mode of communication is your preference, be it texting, video calls, or phone calls.
When starting your first session, try and find a private quiet space. It’s common to turn to online therapy because you’re not comfortable with heading to see them in person, so make sure you’re not going to get interrupted by someone in your home. It’s normal to be nervous.
5. When is online therapy not the answer?
Online therapy, of course, has its limitations. Whilst it can replace face to face therapy in some circumstances, it certainly cannot replace all treatments. First and foremost, therapy is often not enough to treat depression. In some instances, medicine should be prescribed, which in the UK is usually done by your GP doctor.
Unfortunately, they’re actually a little too willing to hand out prescriptions before trying therapy, so CBT referrals tend to come after they have tried medicine, not before. Regardless, in many instances, both are required, which is one area of limitation for therapy in general.
However, the specifics of it being online also has a limitation for more severe or obscure issues. For example, experiencing thoughts of being suicidal should not be dealt with text therapy alone. It is a great stepping stone for some people who are suicidal and cannot make the leap of traditional therapy in their first stride, but online therapy is far from the complete treatment for this.
Furthermore, some conditions like schizophrenia cannot be treated as effectively over the phone. Generally, when a psychiatrist is needed instead of a psychologist/therapist, this is when online therapy isn’t going to suffice. A psychiatrist needs to be able to diagnose their patient, read their body language and non-verbal communication, and assign intensive treatment.
Alcohol addiction is a complicated disorder caused by many factors, including genetics, environment, and psychological issues. While there is no one-size-fits-all approach to treating alcoholism, psychotherapy can be a practical part of a comprehensive treatment plan. Psychotherapy can help you understand and change your thinking and behavior patterns that led to your drinking problem. It can also help you deal with the problems caused by your drinking. Here's how psychotherapy can help you break your addiction and regain control of your life.
1.Help You Develop a Treatment Plan
If you're struggling with alcoholism, it's vital to seek professional help as soon as possible. Psychotherapy can be an essential part of your treatment plan. Your therapist at a luxury detox center can help you identify your goals for treatment and develop a plan to reach them. This plan may include other types of treatment, such as medication or 12-step programs. Your therapist will also provide support and guidance as you progress through treatment and work towards recovery.
2.Provide Support During Difficult Times
Recovery from alcoholism is a long and challenging journey. There will be times when you feel like giving up, but it's important to remember that you're not alone. Psychotherapy can provide you with the support you need to get through tough times. In therapy, you'll have the opportunity to build a robust support system of friends, family, and other loved ones who can help you through tough times. The support system you get can be a vital part of your recovery and may even help prevent relapse. Your therapist can offer encouragement and guidance when you're struggling and help you find the strength to keep going.
3.Help You Understand The Root Cause of Your Alcoholism
Many people who become addicted to alcohol do so because they're using it to self-medicate for psychological problems. Alcoholism is often a way of coping with stress, anxiety, depression, or other emotional issues. In therapy, you'll have the opportunity to identify and address the root cause of your alcoholism. This can be an essential step in breaking your addiction and preventing relapse.
4.Teach You New Coping Skills
To overcome alcoholism, you need to learn new coping skills that will help you deal with stress and emotions without resorting to alcohol. Psychotherapy can teach you these skills and help you practice them in a safe and supportive environment. Therapists are experts in helping people develop healthy coping mechanisms and can provide you with the tools you need to manage your emotions successfully.
5.Teach You How to Cope With Stress and Other Triggers
One of the biggest challenges of recovery is learning how to deal with stress and other triggers without turning to alcohol. Psychotherapy can help you develop healthy coping mechanisms for dealing with stressful situations. This may include learning how to relax, communicate effectively, and manage your time. These skills can make a big difference in your ability to stay sober long-term.
If you seek alcoholism treatment, ask your doctor if psychotherapy is proper. There are many different types of psychotherapy, so find one that fits your needs and interests. If you don't feel comfortable with one therapist, try another. The most important thing is finding a therapist you can trust to help you get better.