Psychedelic Therapy
Mental Health
O. C .E .A. N.
Research has determined 5 traits define our personality:
Openness
Conscientiousness
Extraversion
Agreeableness
Neuroticism
For a description of both positive and negative aspects of these traits, click on the "OCEAN Trait Continuum."
There has been renewed interest in the last 5 years of using psychedelic drugs to treat various psychological disorders. Research with federal approval is ongoing. Note that all the below therapies are used in conjunction with convention therapy treatment. There is controversy.
- MDMA (ecstasy) for PTSD
- Microdosing of LSD for addiction, anxiety
- Psilocybin for depression, quitting smoking
- Mescaline for alcoholism
- Ayahuasca for anxiety, depression
A 2021 survey reported 84% of psychologists consider psychedelic therapy to be beneficial.
Also see the Psychology Today article: "Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy"
"The ability to be in the present moment is a major component of mental wellness."
Abraham Maslow
Stroop Color-Word Test
Take this test by clicking on the button below and then naming, as fast as you can, the actual physical color of each word ignoring what the word says (the letters of the word).
The Stroop test is difficult because one has to inhibit the competing and distracting automatic processing of language in order to name the actual, physical colors. This measures the functioning of the frontal lobe in selective attention and planning. The test has been used in research on ADHD, Parkinson's disease and schizophrenia. A 2022 study for it could detect Alzheimer's disease before symptoms appeared.
Frontal Lobe of Brain
Personality Disorders
An enduring pattern of inflexible and pervasive inner experiences and behavior that deviates markedly from the expectations of the individual's culture and leads to significant distress or impairment in functioning. [DSM-5]
Rollover each type of personality disorder below for a list of DSM-5 symptoms:
Paranoid Personality Disorder
Symptoms
- distrust and suspicion of others
- reads hidden meanings into everything
- bears grudges, suspects infidelities
- does not confide in others fearing misuse against them
Schizoid Personality Disorder
Symptoms:
- detachment and lack of expression in relationships
- choose solitary activities
- no pleasure in activities or sex
- indifferent to praise and criticism from others
Schizotypal Personality Disorder
Symptoms:
- odd beliefs, appearance, and speech
- magical thinking,
- social anxiety with suspicious ideas
- inappropriate affect
Antisocial Personality Disorder
Symptoms:
- disregard and violation of the rights and safety of others
- deceitful and manipulative
- impulsive, irresponsible, and aggressive
- lack of remorse or guilt
Borderline Personality Disorder
Symptoms:
- unstable, intense personal relationships
- fear of abandonment, unstable self-identity
- impulsive, self-harm such as cutting
- mood swings, uncontrollabe anger
Histrionic Personality Disorder
Symptoms:
- needs to be center of attention, uses physical appearance
- inappropriate sexual behavior, judges relationships as more intimate than they are
- shifting, shallow emotions
- high drama, theatrical, exaggerated
Narcissistic Personality Disorder
Symptoms:
- grandiose sense of self-importance, arrogant
- considers themselves special, unique
- requires admiration, sees others as envious
- lack empathy, feels entitled
Avoidant Personality Disorder
Symptoms:
- avoids social interaction
- feeling of inadequacy, hypersenstive to criticism, rejection
- view self as unappeling and inferior
- reluctant to take on new activities due to potential embarrassment
Dependent Personality Disorder
Symptoms:
- overwhelming need to be taken care of, with do anything for nurturance and support
- clinging, submissive, needs constant relationship
- difficulty in making decisions or starting projects due to lack of confidence
- difficulty disagreeing with others
Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder
Symptoms:
- orderly, with details, rules, control
- perfectionist, inflexible, rigid, stubborn
- devoted to work over leisure activities, cannot delegate authority
- horder, hyper frugal
Sesame Street Introduces a Character with Autism
Sesame Street explains how Julia "plays differently" and has Elmo using fewer words when talking to her and repeats often. The video respectfully and without stigma informs us of her echolalia, self-stimulating behavior, and avoidance of eye contact. What an excellent way to teach children to understand and accept the differences between us all at such a formative period.
The British TV kids show "Thomas and Friends" also introduced an autistic character, Bruno the Brake Car. Here is their character description: " “Bruno is a joyful, pun-making brake car. He is great at his job and keeps big, heavy cargo steady with his strong brakes — a vital role in ‘Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go.’ Bruno rolls in reverse at the end of the train, which gives him a unique perspective on the world. Detail-oriented Bruno enjoys schedules, routine, and knows where all the tracks lead on Sodor. Bruno has stairs and a lantern on his bright, red exterior that indicate his emotional state, moving when he is excited or cautious. Bruno’s best day is one spent with his friends, who love and respect him for who he is, just as he loves them back. Through his on-screen presence, Bruno’s rich friendships and important work introduces audiences to a positive, neurodivergent role model. Together with key partners, Mattel carefully curated Bruno’s character to ensure an accurate fictional representation of an autistic child in the real world.”