Category: blog
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WHY DO CERTAIN PEOPLE EXPERIENCE HIGH ANXIETY IN SOCIAL SETTINGS?
In the realm of human interactions, social encounters can trigger varying degrees of nervousness. This phenomenon often puzzles us, especially when considering individuals with seemingly poor social skills or harboring negative self-evaluations. Shedding light on this complexity is the self-presentation theory—a conceptual framework striving to unveil why certain people experience heightened anxiety in social settings.…
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DO SAFETY BEHAVIORS IN SOCIAL ANXIETY SABOTAGE EXPOSURE THERAPY?
In the mid-90s, a study highlighted the nuances of exposure therapy in the context of social phobia, shedding light on the concept of “safety behaviors.” These behaviors act as crutches, allowing individuals to engage in exposure while mitigating excessive anxiety. Take, for instance, someone with a fear of conversing with strangers; they might opt to…
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IS HAVING OUT-OF-BODY EXPERIENCES DURING ANXIETY A BAD SIGN?
Depersonalization (DP), characterized by a sensation of detachment from one’s body and a distorted sense of reality, has garnered significant attention due to its intriguing connection with anxiety. Numerous studies highlight a strong correlation between depersonalization and anxiety, particularly in social anxiety and panic disorder. Anxiety emerges as a key predictor of depersonalization disorder, where…
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THE DYNAMIC ROLE OF ATTENTION IN OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) has long puzzled researchers, leading them to delve into the intricate mechanisms that underlie the characteristic repetitive obsessions and compulsions. A prevailing hypothesis postulates that these behaviors could stem from an attention system that is either deficient or skewed, fixated solely on information pertinent to threats. This intriguing premise has spurred investigations,…
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POOR MEMORY CONFIDENCE IN OCD CHECKERS
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a psychological condition that often brings with it a range of perplexing and distressing symptoms. Among these, a curious complaint frequently arises: individuals with OCD find themselves unsure whether they have truly completed a task or have simply imagined doing so. This intriguing phenomenon has spurred comprehensive research endeavors, seeking to…
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AWARENESS OF HAVING OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER: THE ROLES OF METACOGNITION AND INSIGHT
Metacognition, often described as “cognition about cognition” or “thinking about thinking,” encompasses the mental processes involved in planning, monitoring, and evaluating one’s understanding and performance. It plays a pivotal role in the development and persistence of intrusive thoughts. These thoughts, which hold significant implications for psychological well-being, are influenced by metacognitive mechanisms. Understanding the intricate…
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WHAT EXPLAINS THE PRESENCE OF OBSESSIONS IN OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER (OCD)?
Negative priming is a cognitive paradigm used in clinical research to study response inhibition and cognitive flexibility. It refers to a phenomenon where there is a delay in response or an increase in errors when individuals are asked to respond to an item that they were previously instructed to ignore. This delay is attributed to…
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WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE GUT MICROBIOME IN DEPRESSION?
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a debilitating mental health condition that affects millions of individuals worldwide. Recent research has shed light on the role of proinflammatory cytokines, specifically IL-1β and IL-6, in the neuroinflammatory response and their potential contribution to the etiology (i.e., cause of a disease) of MDD. This article explores the intricate relationship…
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PATTERNS OF SLEEP DISTURBANCES ACROSS ANXIETY DISORDES
Sleep and anxiety are intimately connected, so much so that sometimes we cannot tell which one comes first. In recent studies, findings indicate that in 43.5% cases of insomnia, anxiety symptoms preceded chronic insomnia. By contrast, the percentage of chronic insomnia and anxiety disorders occurring simultaneously was not too far behind at 38.6%, which implies…
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HOW DOES SEPARATION ANXIETY SHED LIGHT ON PANIC DISORDER?
THE OPIOIDERGIC SYSTEM AND PANIC There is compelling evidence suggesting a connection between panic disorder and deficits in endogenous opioids, which are naturally produced by the brain and contribute to our sense of well-being. Studies have indicated that the sensitivity to carbon dioxide (CO2) is modulated by the opioidergic system. Endogenous opioids appear to reduce…