• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
It is an anxiety disorder reaction experienced by a person as a result of a traumatic experience/event. Traumatic experiences are considered as the events which causes disruption in the natural flow of life, disrupts daily routine, feels an intense stress effect, contains life-threatening, causes loss and injury, develops suddenly and unexpectedly, makes mental and physical integrity feel threatened, and creates feelings of fear, horror and helplessness, are generally uncontrollable and unpredictable, disrupting one's meaning-making processes.
Trauma is when such events leave important and effective signs of injury on the person in terms of soul and body. For example, traffic accidents, natural disasters, harassment, being diagnosed with a life-threatening illness, witnessing a dangerous event, etc., are among the psychologically traumatic events. Traumatic experiences can sometimes be an experience that the person is exposed to, or they can be observed as a result of an event that has been experienced by a relative or developed in his/her environment and that he/she is aware of.
The most common symptoms of PTSD are • Re-experiencing: The person cannot get rid of the memories of the traumatic experience, remembering the traumatic event over and over again or feeling as if he is reliving the traumatic event, having nightmares and experiencing intense psychological distress in this case, • Avoiding: Avoiding people or events that remind him of the trauma. or avoiding activities, unable to remember some parts of the event • Over-arousal: Sleep problems, difficulty in concentration, attention problems, anger outbursts, startle at small sounds
Despite more than 1 month has passed since the event, if the traumatic experience leaves many physical, emotional and cognitive symptoms, it indicates that individuals should consult a psychologist or psychiatrist. Among psychotherapeutic treatments, cognitive-behavioral therapy and EMDR approach seem to be useful in trauma treatment.
• Obsessive compulsive disorder
It is called OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER when obsessive thoughts, which we encounter very frequently among anxiety disorders and which reduces the quality of life of the person, reaches up to a level so that they will significantly affect our daily life and limit our daily activities.
The images that come to one's mind against his will, the obsessive thoughts and impulses that one cannot get rid of are called obsessions. The person may consider these thoughts as irrational, but cannot distract one's mind from the intense distress caused by these thoughts. The mental or behavioral actions that the person feels he/she has to do in order to relieve the discomfort caused by these obsessive thoughts are called compulsions. Even if the person knows that the disturbing thoughts in his/her mind will not come true or are illogical, he/she cannot prevent these behaviors and is reluctant to say these thoughts to the people around him/her. Common sub-topics in people with obsessive compulsive disorder include cleanliness, control, symmetry, religion, sexuality, and hoarding.
It has been determined that this disorder, which affects all areas of a person's life intensely and causes loss of function, may be related to biological and environmental factors and it is seen in 2-3 out of every 100 people. If it is not possible to get rid of such obsessive thoughts and if they affect daily functions, it indicates that the individual should consult a psychologist or psychiatrist. Among psychotherapeutic treatments, cognitive-behavioral therapy approach is known to be effective in the treatment of OCD.
• Couple Therapy
Couples Therapy is a branch of psychotherapy that aims to resolve the problems faced by married or unmarried couples in order to achieve change and development.
While conflicts, difficult and troublesome periods between spouses can be overcome without support in some periods, it may feel unresolved in some periods and may need to be supported by a professional. Accordingly main goals of couples therapy include solving problems by addressing these conflict periods, producing long-term solutions, and being able to cope with some difficult situations that may occur later. All kinds of problems experienced in your relationship can be worked with couples therapy.
There are different methods of family and couple therapy practices. In some special cases, the therapist prefers to talk the couples one by one, while mostly preferring talking to the couples together.
• Separation, Loss and Grief
When it comes to grief, the death of a loved one comes first into mind. However, separation in emotional relationships, divorce, job loss, bankruptcy, emigration, retirement are also important losses and they cause grief, just like losses due to death. In cases of separation and loss, grief effect are quite high in the first few weeks, which include physical, mental, social, intellectual and emotional effects.
Grief is a natural reaction towards irreparable and deeply affecting separation and loss. Reactions During the Grief Period (Symptoms provided applies to grief in case of both separation and loss): Headache, chest pain, difficulty in swallowing, nausea, vomiting, constipation or diarrhea, shortness of breath, palpitations, menstrual irregularities, muscle twitching, contractions, sleep disorders, weakness and fatigue bodily responses, and in case of death, denying death, feeling that the deceased is still alive, existing, hearing his voice, seeing his dreams, spiritual reactions. Emotional reactions such as sadness, crying, longing, anger, distress, insecurity, uneasiness, fear of losing one's mind or going crazy, loss of interest and desire towards life, lack of pleasure, hopelessness and pessimism, loneliness, helplessness. Cognitive/intellectual reactions such as self-blame, anger at oneself, regret, indecision, difficulty concentrating, memory problems. There may be reactions such as aimlessly excessive activity, avoiding people and not wanting to meet, excessive gravitation to the belongings of the lost person, frequently visiting his/her favorite places, or trying to stay away from them, going to the grave frequently or not being able to go to the grave, using alcohol and/or drugs, and changes related to sexuality.
It should be noted that the resulting grief reactions may differ from person to person, situation to situation, and relationship to relationship.
• Personality Disorders
Personality can be defined as the adjustment traits that make an individual unique and distinguish them from others. The differences of individuals in terms of feelings, thoughts, perceptions, attitudes and behaviors determine their personality. Emotions, thoughts, perceptions, attitudes and behaviors that are more or less unchangeable for each person and that make up the personality are shaped by physical and mental conditions and learning factors before and after birth and in childhood.
Personality disorder, on the other hand, is persistent, extreme, or significant deviations from the way the average person in a particular culture perceives, thinks, feels, and especially relates to others. It is difficult to make an exact definition of personality disorder. Personality disorders, which are usually quite resistant to treatment, cause depressing moments not only to the person but also to those around them. When it occurs together with other psychiatric disorders, treatment becomes even more difficult. 10 types of personality disorders are examined and they are grouped into three clusters as A, B and C.
Type A Personality Disorders
Paranoid Personality Disorder: It is characterized by continuous pattern of distrust and skepticism where the behavior of others are interpreted as malicious.
Schizoid Personality Disorder: It is characterized by the pattern of being constantly disconnected from social relations and being limited in expressing emotions in environments with others.
Schizotypal Personality Disorder: It is characterized by a widespread pattern of cognitive or perceptual distortions and unusual behavior, as well as social and interpersonal incompetence, as exhibited by sudden discomfort and reduced ability to have close relationships.
Type B Personality Disorders
Antisocial Personality Disorder: It is characterized by a common pattern of disregarding the rights of others and attacking the rights of others. This diagnosis is not made before the age of 18 (Behavioral disorder diagnosis is used before the age of 18).
Narcissistic Personality Disorder: It is characterized by a sense of superiority, need for admiration, and inability to empathize. Self-esteem can be damaged easily.
Histrionic Personality Disorder: There is excessive emotionality and attention seeking in almost every area. It is relatively more common in women.
Borderline Personality Disorder: There is a persistent pattern of inconsistency and marked impulsivity in interpersonal relationships, self-perception, and affect.
Type C Personality Disorders
Avoidant Personality Disorder: It is a continuous pattern of social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy, and hypersensitivity to negative evaluation.
Dependent Personality Disorder: A persistent pattern of excessive need to be looked after, leading to docile and clingy behavior and fear of separation.
Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder: A pattern of persistent preoccupation with orderliness, perfectionism, and control. Characteristics such as hatred, hostility, competitiveness, racing against time overlap with this personality.
• Adjustment Disorder and Related Problems
Adjustment disorders are short-term maladaptive responses to situations that cause psychological and social distress. Mental distress meets the general conditions of the disorder, such as experiencing social-environmental difficulties and sometimes the presence of behavioral disorders. Adjustment Disorder has a traditional and cultural basis, such disorders are reported to be universal in all social groups. It is expected that the adjustment disorder will end immediately after the disappearance of the factor causing the difficulty or, if it continues, a new adjustment will emerge. Factors that cause strain include ordinary events such as communication problems, separation from a lover, job change or economic difficulties, which can often be seen in daily life, rather than traumatic events such as natural disasters and being attacked.
Various factors such as personality structure, familial and genetic factors, family abuse, overprotection, early separation anxiety or a mental injury in childhood and recent negative life events are thought to play a role in adjustment disorder. Although the definition of adjustment disorder includes the phrase "adjustment disorder follows a situation that causes difficulty", the symptoms may not start immediately. The time between the cause of the challenge and the development of symptoms can be up to three months. Depressive mood, suicidal thoughts, crying, hopelessness, sadness, irritability, restlessness, anger, non-compliance with social norms and rules, social isolation, insomnia, loss of appetite, weight loss are the most common symptoms. The resulting symptoms are severe enough to impair human relations and occupational functioning.
Symptoms of adjustment disorder include:
Development of emotional and behavioral symptoms in response to an identifiable challenge and development within 3 months of encountering the challenging situation.
Whether these symptoms or behaviors are clinically significant, such that one or two of the following are demonstrable - Significant distress apart from the intensity or severity of the strain, extrinsic factors may influence, and cultural factors may influence symptom severity and presentation. - There may be significant deterioration in social life, work life and other functions.
Stress-related disorder that does not meet the criteria for other mental disorders and this disorder is not exacerbated by a pre-existing mental disorder
The symptoms do not appear as normal loss,
Symptom persistence for more than 6 months after the strain or after the consequences have worn off.
Adjustment disorder has concomitant clinical subtypes such as depressed mood, anxious mood, mixed anxiety and depressed mood, behavioral disorder, mixed mood and conduct disorder, and unspecified type.
• Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Anxiety is a normal human response to stressful situations. Everyone feels anxious or concerned from time to time. But for people with anxiety disorders, these fears and worries are not temporary and may worsen over time. Anxiety disorders can severely impair a person's ability to function at work, school, and social situations. Anxiety can also affect a person's relationships with family members and friends. Anxiety disorders are common in both adults and children.
People with Generalized Anxiety Disorder are particularly overly responsive to negative emotions and situations. Often, people try to cope with these negative reactions, avoiding situations or experiences that worry them. Unfortunately, avoidance can backfire and increase anxiety even more.
Although there are many types of anxiety disorders, most research suggests that they are driven by similar underlying processes. People with Generalized Anxiety Disorder experience constant, excessive, and inappropriate anxiety. This extreme anxiety is at a level that can hinder their lives. These people always think of the worst outcome and feel like their lives are out of their control. Even if they know that their worries are too much, they cannot control and calm down.
The following symptoms are sought in the diagnosis of Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Excessive anxiety and worry (anxious expectations) about many events or activities (such as success at work or school), occurring almost every day for at least 6 months.
Finding it difficult to control sadness.
Restlessness, excessive excitement, or anxiety.
Easy fatigue.
Difficulty in concentrating their thoughts or having a stagnant mind.
Irritability.
Muscle tension.
Symptoms such as sleep disturbance (difficulty falling or staying asleep, restless and restless sleep). In addition, physical complaints such as muscle, joint and headache, difficulty in swallowing, tremors and twitches, hot flashes, sweating, flushing, and nausea may accompany as if there is a physical disease.
The lifetime prevalence of generalized anxiety disorder is 5-6%. In other words, 5-6 out of every 100 people may experience this condition at any time in their lives. Anxiety sensitivity increases with age. It is the most common anxiety disorder in old age.
The lifetime prevalence of generalized anxiety disorder is 7.7% in women and 4.1% in men. The incidence in women is 2 times higher than in men.
• Panic Disorder
Panic attack occurs with symptoms such as sudden onset of chest pain, chest tightness, palpitations, shortness of breath, sweating, tremors, chills or chills, sometimes nausea or abdominal pain, dizziness, unsteadiness, feeling like you're going to fall or faint, numbness or tingling. Panic attacks are episodes of intense anxiety or fear that come on suddenly and recur from time to time. This leaves the person in awe.
At that moment, he thinks he is having a heart attack or a stroke, and experiences an intense fear of death or paralysis. Sometimes, with the emergence of feelings such as strangeness, drowsiness, feeling strange or different in himself or his surroundings, he starts to fear that he will harm himself or those around him, thinking that he will lose control, lose his mind or go crazy.
Panic Disorder is a psychological disorder, where, along with recurrent unexpected Panic Attacks, patients experience persistent worry that there will be more Panic Attacks in between attacks persistent sadness with the belief that Panic Attacks may lead to dire consequences, such as “having a heart attack and dying”, “losing control and going crazy” or “having a stroke” or behavioral changes (such as not going to work, not doing sports, not doing housework, not eating or drinking some food or drink, carrying medicine, water, alcohol, various foods) as a coping method against attacks and possible bad consequences.
