Lucy Hyam summarises a recent systematic review which looks at pathways to improve early intervention for eating disorders. The post Barriers to help-seeking for eating disorders: which factors impact early intervention? appeared first on National Elf Service.

Who doesn’t want an idol to look up to or a role model who can guide them from afar? I do! And I’m sure many think like me. One of the reasons I want a celebrity role model is because they are impressionable and have an air of confidence that makes everything seem so easy. So, it’s only natural that whatever they do, inspire others to do the same. However, there are times when celebrity motivation can turn into celebrity obsession. This fanatical obsession is termed celebrity worship syndrome. When your simple admiration for a celebrity turns into stalking them obsessively on social media and replicating whatever they do in their daily lives, even going so far as to share all experiences with them (from afar, of course), it can indicate something more than just healthy admiration. A celebrity may leave an influence on your life and while there’s nothing wrong with that, there may come a time when you begin to lose your identity and instead become someone whose self-identity depends on another person. One who is not aware of it, either. In this blog, let’s take a look at what celebrity worship syndrome means, what causes it, and how celebrity worship syndrome affects your life and relationships. Celebrity Worship Syndrome: What It Means The term “Celebrity Worship Syndrome” stems from Parasocial relationships. A Parasocial relationship is when your fascination with a celebrity or influential person turns into a preoccupation. While it may remain unofficial for now, celebrity worship syndrome is, however, described as an obsessive-addictive disorder. Just like Parasocial relationships, this syndrome is a one-sided and non-reciprocal relationship and involves one person putting their time and energy into forming a connection with another person, who is blissfully unaware of the former’s existence. In our case, we’re talking about celebrities. Have you ever heard of celebrity crushes? Well, celebrity worship syndrome is the obsessive version of it. Here’s an example that’ll help you understand this syndrome a bit better; Celebrity Crush; this time I’m talking about the movie from 2019; The movie is about a deranged fan who holds the star of a movie in her home until he falls in love with her. This is a thriller movie and you can check more about it here. Why am I mentioning this movie all of a sudden?  Because it is a classic example of celebrity worship syndrome. Parasocial relationships are very common, more so than you might think, but they aren’t always negative. Sometimes, the connection between you and your celebrity idol can help you develop skills and learn more about how to act and present yourself in public. I can admit to you here that I have crushes on fictional characters and while my friends and family make fun of it, I know how much strength my fictional crushes give me when I feel myself floundering. Celebrity worship syndrome is not just a parasocial relationship, mind you. It’s a disorder where a person exhibits a pattern of obsessive, compulsive, and addictive behaviors often causing borderline pathological worship. What Causes Celebrity Worship Syndrome? For now, psychologists haven’t been able to come up with a plausible explanation for why celebrity worship syndrome develops. However, it is believed that because this syndrome is an obsessive-addictive disorder, the causes could be related to mental health conditions. People at a high risk of developing borderline pathological celebrity crushes or celebrity worship syndrome might be those living with these conditions; Anxious or avoidant attachment styles Neuroticism Psychotic disorders Fantasy proneness Low self-esteem Narcissism Cognitive inflexibility Poor relationships Depression Anxiety Obsessive-compulsive disorders Obsessive behaviors Dissociation Addictive disorders Daydreaming is also recognized as another common factor that can increase the risk of you developing celebrity worship syndrome. But, what does this disorder look like? How to Recognize Celebrity Worship Syndrome? When something – even a simple admiration or fascination – is continuous, it can manifest itself in different ways. Sometimes, too intensely as well. Here’s what celebrity worship syndrome may look like; If the case is mild, then it could present itself when you name your child after the celebrity or maybe change the way you act, behave, or dress. All of this is done based on the celebrity idol you have. Now, if the case is more than just mild, then the presentation of the syndrome could be intense. For example; getting cosmetic surgery to look like them, harassing them, stalking them – physically or socially, and even interacting with them that borders on pathological. The Effects of Celebrity Worship Syndrome When we look at it from a larger perspective, celebrity worship syndrome might not affect your life on a large scale, but it can still leave some impact on your relationships and overall well-being. When we talk about relationships – be they intimate, professional, or social – celebrity worship syndrome can affect them quite negatively. How? Well, for starters, you may begin to avoid all social engagements and prefer to engage in celebrity worship content or anything that your celebrity idol updates. Not only that, but you may also begin to compare your partner with the celebrity idol or ignore your partner in favor of your celebrity idol. If we talk about professional life, then you may avoid opportunities that come your way if they fail to align with your celebrity’s cause, charity, or representation. When we talk about life in general, celebrity worship syndrome can impact your well-being. Celebrity worship syndrome could be a manifestation of addictive disorders that makes you inclined to engage in unhealthy behaviors such as stalking or harassing the idol. You might also decide to change your personality to better align with the one you obsessively admire. This kind of behavior may also prompt comparisons if you have low self-esteem. You may be overly sensitive and judgmental towards yourself if you believe that you can’t meet your celebrity idol’s standards. Yet, there are some positive effects to having a Parasocial relationship. Being in a Parasocial relationship with an idol can motivate you to become a better person, help you learn healthy ways to live, and even encourage positivity in life. Wrap Up Admiring celebrities isn’t a bad thing but it can be unhealthy when the line between healthy admiration and obsession blurs. We all want someone to look up to in times of distress and if you have a celebrity or an influential person you can look up to, then good for you. It’s even natural to have a role model who has reached celebrity status. However, when your fascination with celebrity turns to celebrity worship syndrome, then it could have some pretty negative consequences on your relationships and life, in general. If you or someone you love is showing signs of celebrity worship syndrome or other obsessive-addictive behaviors, then it is recommended that you speak to a professional mental healthcare provider. I hope this blog helped you understand what celebrity worship syndrome is, what it looks like, and what causes celebrity worship syndrome. For more, you can write to us at info@calmsage.com or leave us a comment in the section below. Take Care! The post Is Celebrity Worship Syndrome a Real Thing? | Causes And Impact appeared first on Calm Sage – Your Guide to Mental and Emotional Well-being.

Female soldier found dead at Fort Hood, the same Army base in Texas where Vanessa Guillén was murderedNBC News By Marlene Lenthang March 17, 2023 “For the Army to say no foul play presumes facts that have not yet been brought forth. For the Army to say no foul play would also indicate a tone deafness to the concerns of the father and the mother of Ana Fernanda Basaldua Ruiz who stated that she had been the target of alleged sexual harassment — repeated and consistent sexual harassment by other service members up to and including an immediate superior to who she reported,” David Cruz, the Communications Director of LULAC, said. Ana Fernanda Basaldua Ruiz.Courtesy Basaldua Ruiz family A female soldier died earlier this week at Fort Hood, the same Army base in Texas where Vanessa Guillén was murdered three years ago, officials said. Combat engineer Pvt. Ana Basaldua Ruiz died Monday at the base, Fort Hood said in a news release. Basaldua Ruiz, 20, who was from Long Beach, California, joined the Army in July 2021 and was assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division since December that year.read more here #BreakTheSilence and #TakeBackYourLife

Everybody’s Talking, Is Anyone Listening? Quotations about Listening:     “When people talk, listen completely. Most people never listen.” Ernest Hemingway “Emma felt she could not now show greater kindness than in listening.” Jane Austen “People love to talk but hate to listen. Listening requires more effort than just not talking. You can listen like a blank wall or like a splendid auditorium where every sound comes back fuller and richer.” Alice Duer Miller Did you ever feel talking to someone, especially a friend, a loved one, or your spouse, they’re hearing you but not listening? We will look at the difference between hearing and listening. Hearing and listening are the same. And the difference leads to family arguments, conflicts between spouses, and conflicts among friends. What’s the Difference Between Hearing and Listening? Defining hearing vs. listening Listening is understanding the person speaking. Listening and Being Empathetic Hypothetical Case: George comes from a hard day at work. He is frustrated and angry at his boss, who expects him to work over the weekend due to a need to meet some company deadlines. It happened in the past, and he always resents it. There is paid a bonus for his weekend services but resents the last-minute nature of the work demand.  He, his wife, and kids usually have weekend plans to go fishing or to the baseball game, or basketball game, or to visit relatives who live in the mountains, where it is beautiful and peaceful and where his wife and kids love to go. The problem is that when he expresses his outrage, he gets responses that make him feel angrier, wrong for having his reaction to the boss, and more frustrated because no one seems to listen. His wife tells him things such as Consider the extra money you’ll make. Then she is confused when he responds angrily or annoyed. Normally, George does not have this reaction to his wife. It’s familiar to many people. George and his wife have an otherwise loving relationship. But, in this situation, she comes away feeling angry. What George needs and wants is empathy. He wants to feel that she is listening. Here are a few examples of not listening: Interrupting Responding vaguely or illogically to what was said Looking at a phone, watch, around the room, or away from the speaker Fidgeting, tapping on the table, frequently shifting position, and clicking a pen are some ways people show they are not listening. I suggest that everyone who wants to understand this problem read a wonderful book called: “The Squeaky Wheel: Complaining the Right Way to Get Results, Improve Your Relationships, and Enhance Self-Esteem,” written by Guy Winch, Ph.D., Copyright 2011 Dr. Winch, Ph.D., suggests you follow all five of the following steps if you want to help your spouse, friend, or loved one when they are complaining bitterly about a problem: 1. Let the person complete their narrative, so you have all the facts. 2. Convey you get what happened to them from their perspective 3. Convey you understand how they felt due to what happened from their perspective. 4. Convey that their feelings are completely reasonable. 5. Convey empathy for their emotional reactions. Although it may seem illogical to empathize with a loved one who is angry about a situation and with whom you disagree, it’s important to realize they want and need empathy. Being empathic, the other person feels a sense of relief. They want to know that you grasp what is happening to them. Agreeing or disagreeing is not the point. Giving advice is not the point. Doing either only aggravates things. Always remember: Empathy begins with listening. Guy Winch’s wonderful book provides step-by-step instructions on how to voice complaints to loved ones productively and how to respond to them. Your comments are strongly encouraged.                                             The post Everybody’s Talking, Is Anyone Listening? appeared first on DocTalk, Explorations in Psychotherapy.

I do not have a gift for poetry and Spring Season is such a beautiful time that the best way I can do it justice is to borrow from some of the great poets: By William Wordsworth “I heard a thousand blende notes, While in a grove I sate reclined, In that sweet mood when pleasant thoughts Bring sad thoughts to the mind. To her fair works did Nature link The human soul that through me ran; And much it grieved my heart to think What man has made of man. Through primrose tufts, in that green bower, The periwinkle trailed its wreaths; And ’tis my faith that every flower Enjoys the air it breathes. The birds around me hopped and played, Their thoughts I cannot measure:— But the least motion which they made It seemed a thrill of pleasure. The budding twigs spread out their fan, To catch the breezy air; And I must think, do all I can, That there was pleasure there. If this belief from heaven be sent, If such be Nature’s holy plan, Have I not reason to lament What man has made of man?” Some thoughts about Spring: Spring ushers reawakening, a restlessness that we can apply inside and out to our lives, recovery, and self-care. I love this poem: Corinna’s Going a-Maying Robert Herrick, 1591 – 1674 Get up, get up for shame! The blooming morn Upon her wings presents the god unshorn. See how Aurora throws her fair Fresh-quilted colours through the air: Get up, sweet slug-a-bed, and see The dew bespangling herb and tree! Each flower has wept and bow’d toward the east Above an hour since, yet you not drest; Nay! not so much as out of bed? When all the birds have matins said And sung their thankful hymns, ‘tis sin, Nay, profanation, to keep in, Whereas a thousand virgins on this day Spring sooner than the lark, to fetch in May. Rise and put on your foliage, and be seen To come forth, like the spring-time, fresh and green, And sweet as Flora. Take no care For jewels for your gown or hair: Fear not; the leaves will strew Gems in abundance upon you: Besides, the childhood of the day has kept, Against you come, some orient pearls unwept. Come, and receive them while the light Hangs on the dew-locks of the night: And Titan on the eastern hill Retires himself, or else stands still Till you come forth! Wash, dress, be brief in praying: Few beads are best when once we go a-Maying. Come, my Corinna, come; and coming, mark How each field turns a street, each street a park, Made green and trimm’d with trees! see how Devotion gives each house a bough Or branch! each porch, each door, ere this, An ark, a tabernacle is, Made up of white-thorn neatly interwove, As if here were those cooler shades of love. Can such delights be in the street And open fields, and we not see ‘t? Come, we’ll abroad: and let ‘s obey The proclamation made for May, And sin no more, as we have done, by staying; But, my Corinna, come, let ‘s go a-Maying. There ‘s not a budding boy or girl this day But is got up and gone to bring in May. A deal of youth ere this is come Back, and with white-thorn laden home. Some have despatch’d their cakes and cream, Before that we have left to dream: And some have wept and woo’d, and plighted troth, And chose their priest, ere we can cast off sloth: Many a green-gown has been given, Many a kiss, both odd and even: Many a glance, too, has been sent From out the eye, love’s firmament: Many a jest told of the keys betraying This night, and locks pick’d: yet we’re not a-Maying! Come, let us go, while we are in our prime, And take the harmless folly of the time! We shall grow old apace, and die Before we know our liberty. Our life is short, and our days run As fast away as does the sun. And, as a vapour or a drop of rain, Once lost, can ne’er be found again, So when or you or I are made A fable, song, or fleeting shade, All love, all liking, all delight Lies drown’d with us in endless night. Then, while time serves, and we are but decaying, Come, my Corinna, come, let’s go a-Maying. Your comments are more than welcome. Please send comments to my Email address dransphd@gmail.com Allan The post Celebrating Spring appeared first on DocTalk, Explorations in Psychotherapy.