Hi Everyone, I know it's uncomfortable to discuss our troubles out in the open, but why not make the most of the anonymous space that is the internet and get some real clarity on what troubles and challenges you face. I'm a fourth year psychology student and I'm here to offer feedback on the things that often are too difficult to share. Post below or private message me and take this opportunity to break free of all that holds you back! The very decision to view this topic shows a curiosity, hidden question or underlying need for some advice, so put aside your concerns and post now! I'm not sure how many of you will take up the offer, but i do hope that you will choose to act!
I totally thought that was an account created by OP. Cool idea by the way, I'll endorse it. Anyways, I don't really care about people seeing my problems. So here goes... (I have to shower, will edit when I get back)
I spoke to someone recently, on a different forum, who had a lot of questions about phobias, because a member of their family was severely effected by it. I think if we have someone to break the ice with a question that many more would come forward. I'm open to any ideas that would encourage more open participation.
Can i ask that we try to keep this thread in an environment that is as inviting as possible for people to express what they are thinking. Mental health is something that is so often goes ignored or unspoken. Were born into this world with so many complex psychological processes that slowly shape who we are, why is it that we are taught to read and write but when it comes to understanding how we work & think were shown very little? Just as you go to the dentist to check your teeth, why don't people have checkups to see if they are coping with the challenges of life? Suicide is a silent killer, its the second highest cause of death in college students. Psychology is not just for those who suffer with a disorder. There are many people who see a psychologist the same way they would see a personal trainer or tutor. The goal in this case is to enhance and protect that person. Like the trainer the aim is to build up some psychological muscle! Clients can focus on things such as achieving life goals, re-framing their own perceptions and generally achieving a better quality of life. So maybe if i open up these questions, What are your aims in life? Are you on track? Are you happy with where you are? I believe there are six key things one must have to be happy: Certainty Uncertainty Significance Love Contribution Growth Which of these do people feel are their strong points, which are your weaknesses?
<3 <3 <3 I have a question: Is it possible for an individual to belong to a group, while staying true to their true identity? Also, is psychology interesting at uni? I was considering this.
That's a great question Will! It depends greatly on what you mean by your true identity? Can you separate who you are from how you are in a group? It's an extremely complex relationship as the group is often the force that validates and attunes us to what our identity really is. We are social animals. In essence we have desires that go against what the group wants, we are changed by the group to balance our wants with that of the group. Is your true identity this animalistic one? I think what your really asking is can you belong to a group and not be changed by it? My simple answer is no. The best evidence for this is the experiments done in compliance, 85% of the population given a few changes to their environment can immediately be turned into a killer (See the milgram experiments). The fear of exclusion is another powerful force that shapes who we are in the context of the group. Another incredible experiment was done where an individual is put in a room with seven other actors and asked to match the length of a line with one in front of them (the answer was incredibly obvious, and could have been done by a preschooler), when asked on their own 100% of people got it correct. If each of the seven actors gave the same incorrect answer 95% of people gave the same wrong answer, even when they knew it was wrong. To make matters worse people will begin to believe the wrong answer is right, they will in relatively little time quash their own logic to match the groups flawed logic (see the festinger experiments in cognitive dissonance) This why its so important to be around people who influence you in the right direction. I get the feeling that this still isn't really your question, i believe your concerned about either how you change in a group or a friend. I think someone has hurt someone and you believe it is because of how they change to be part of this group. But i could be off on a tangent. Can you give some more information? Regarding what psychology is like, I've opened another topic discussing exactly that just here: http://www.neofriends.net/general-discussions-f41/studying-psychology-t25621.html
The latter is correct - I just felt like adding a question about identity/belonging, because I know you psychologists just gobble them up ;D As for my mind: I'm from the country. We never have problems ^_^
Well, i appreciate the thought all the same. I have to say though that rural areas are definately not immune to mental health issues. I live in Australia, and there is alot of evidence showing living in a rural area as a risk factor for suicide and depression. There are a few factors that explain this: 1. a stronger stigma in rural areas against mental health & seeking help 2. greater chance of unhealthy isolation 3. a lack of mental health resources to assist people when they fall into trouble 4. Being middle aged, male and unmarried are all risk factors in themselves and i believe these demographics are statistically more likely in rural areas. Ok, I'm accepting any and all ideas to encourage people to come forward. I'd love to hear your feedback, as this thread is slowing down. 1. Should i create a new topic to encourage fresh participation? 2. What do you think i should do differently? 3. How can we create an environment where people feel free to share? All comments & criticisms are welcomed and appreciated! Don't double post. Even psychology students have to follow the rules.
How do I start to know that the marks I get at school is seriously starting to stress me out and affecting my lifestyle? Are there any indicators? (Lack of sleep, procrastination, etc.)
The best indicator is you. If your feeling stressed and overwhelmed then you are, its not something we can put on a scale and say your twice as stressed as someone else. You can have very little going on in your life and still be highly stressed eg. if your not dealing with problems well You can be dealing with alot and your body can be relatively unaffected (however some studies show a more subtle long term effect) Stress is necessary to make us perform, if you weren't stressed you would not perform nearly as well on your exams, because they provide motive to study and even have memory enhancing properties in small dosages. However stress can become maladaptive (bad), stress operates in such a way that the longer your stressed the more attuned to stress you become ie. it takes less to get you stressed. Stress can have catastrophic effects on your whole body functioning and had proven links with everything from heart failure, weakened immune system and even the death of brain cells. Its all about balance, you need to evaluate what you want and where you want to be. Achieving that goal will require you to undergo many stressful events and this includes your education. Some things that can help regain balance in your life: 1. Set a clear timetable for yourself - add up how many hours you spend playing games - how many hours you spend relaxing - how many hours you spend studying, watching TV ect. then evaluate the ratio of how you spend your time. I have rarely done this with a student without discovering several hours that can be cut back from other things, that give you the time to take care of yourself 2. 1hr of quiet peace, not games or tv ect. has a huge effect on de-stressing. Call it meditation, relaxation, hypnosis whatever! So long as your separating yourself from all things that require you to do something, your giving your mind and body a break. 3. 30min of exercise is sorely missing from most student lives, exercise releases a cocktail of powerful hormones into your body which deliver an instant lift to your mood and assist with regulating your body 4. sunlight, allows the production of hormones in your body that encourages the regulation of your emotional state 5. food, eat & drink well, everyone underestimates just how big of an impact this can have 6. Don't be afraid to re-evaluate your priories and work out what you really want and not what someone else wants. Picture where you want to be and evaluate if the stress your under is worth it and if you can survive it. 7. Don't be afraid to ask for help 8. Keep a small handful of close friends & family. Your social network has a massive effect on stress, and the studies show its quality not quantity that makes the difference. There are many indicators of stress, but I'm hesitant to go through them as they are only indicators when you or someone you know points them out as unhealthy. I don't want to give you a shopping list to study your body to see if you have, otherwise its possible you will bring on symptoms you didn't have before. A lack of sleep is definitely a sign of stress, maybe if you could describe how your feeling i can give you feedback on assisting you with working out if its something you need to act on. On a final note i want to briefly touch on an expression on procrastination which has always stuck with me. For those of you who are highly prudish please don't read on. "Procrastination is like masturbation, in the end your only screwing yourself" It's funny because its true, get a handle of your time and complete your work as quickly as possible so you can move onto the things that allow you to de-stress. If you spend an hour avoiding the work you should be doing, the stress is only building during that time, until eventually you can push it back no further and you body is put under extreme pressure trying to finish it at the last minute. This is an easy thing to discuss but not an easy thing to change, and i have to admit its not one of my strengths. While procrastination isn't necessarily an indicator it may well be a contributing cause. I've actually built a study skills program & seminar series for Australian Students which i intend to launch later this year, it's been built with my friend and mentor who has been teaching for over 30 years. If your interested i may be able to adapt it for the web and send you some more information.