Identity crisis- How well do you know yourself?

” am i the one here or am i a different being? Who am i exactly? What do i represent?”

The statement above is frequently heard during an assessment that points to the possibility of a group of symptoms recognized under the disorder of self. The body is very unique in that it can be experienced as the “self” on the inside and as an “object” on the outside, in this instance we experience an awareness of physiological systems, or awareness of our organs as objects.

The self has been described by various terms like self image, self concept,actual self, ideal self with varying differences in their meanings.The “self” is therefore the very essence of human existence.

Why is this discussion so important ?

When there is a failure in convergence of all these aspects of self, it could lead to a disorder. In some psychiatric conditions there is some disturbance in the way one thinks about and estimates oneself,these varies with the nature and type of illness. It is important to note that some healthy people who are in stressful or unusual situations can also experience this symptoms from time to time. Furthermore,for you to experience self actualization there has to be significant congruence between the ideal self and their actual self. This congruence can be affected by various disorders of self but today we will look at just one aspect: awareness of identity.

Awareness of identity is that aspect of self that constantly helps you realize that you are the same person you are the same person you have always been all along despite constant evaluation and adjustment. There can be modifications but it is still a continuity. A break in this continuity can result in what is experienced as IDENTITY CRISIS.

What is a crisis? This is considered as a troublesome state regarding both your perceived and non perceived environment. Identity Crisis is therefore experience of troublesome perception about own recognition. This term was advocated widely by Eric Erickson when he postulated theories on psycho social development. According to him the problem starts during the adolescence period where the individual either develops either a true sense of identity of self or role confusion which is the identity crisis.
During this phase of human development the adolescent is expected to learn roles that will be occupied as development progresses to adulthood. This area of development typically revolve around “the sexual self ” and “occupational self” of the young teenager which ultimately helps with development of strong personal goals and values. A conflict in this development leads to the beginning of identity crisis.

Since the time of Erickson, there have been various research works done one of which is by Baumeister et al. which further divides identity crises to other types such as: 1.identity deficit or Motivational Crisis
2. Identity conflict or legitimate crisis
Identity deficits: Here individual experiences problems with commitments and constantly struggles with accomplishments of personal goals and valves.
Identity conflict: Here the individual has several commitments which eventually leads to conflicts in the behavioral aspects of life.This leads to difficulties placing right priorities due to numerous commitments.

Do you have identity Deficit ? You can tell if you answer yes to the questions below:

1.Do you find it hard to commit to consistent goals and personal values such that your choices and decisions usually varies according to different situations you find yourself in?

2. Are you content to remain uncommitted to relationships/organizations/goals?

3. Are you constantly seeking new meanings, new valves by consistent self questioning which beings about lack of fulfillment?

4. Do you struggle with motivation to complete tasks?

Do you have Identity Conflict? You can tell if you answer yes to questions below:
1. Do you have constant multiple commitments unable to prioritize well such that the situation is now incompatible with your ideal self?

2. Do you have difficulty reconciling demands from your multiple commitments?

Remember mental health issues are real and without appropriate resolution of conflicts/deficits there cant be true progress which in turn results in frustrations in one or more aspect of self. Ultimately it may result in an actual disorder impairs your self actualization.

What to do ? Speak to a therapist today!! Help is available! You can do better with therapy to achieve self actualization! See contact details to seek help.

How well are your thoughts?

Let us talk about an important mental process called thinking, which is the act and ability to produce thoughts. Thoughts take various patterns which is why it is very crucial to your mental health.

Critical thinking can be said to be a deeper form of thinking about issues, situations or events before actually acting or taking decisions.

One major thing to note is that thoughts can be formed even without facts or evidence. They can occur even without any reason, but most times they occur as a result of certain stimulus which varies from person to person depending on our exposures and personal experiences.

When critical thinking is applied, our minds become open to all considerations,facts, and evidences before the formation of a thought or opinion. Critical thinking applies the questions, who, where, when, what, why and how before any assumption is made. Therefore it requires logic reasoning and accuracy unlike non critical thinking pattern which could be based on just personal opinion.

Even though the ability to develop critical thinking starts as early as 5 -7 years of age once the child is able to read, however this skill has to be learned, practised and constantly put to use to perfect it. We do not develop this ability naturally. One can be educated and still be not able to think critically.

Why is critical thinking so important?

1. It helps you make rational decisions whereby you rely on facts not emotions.

2. It helps us develop self awareness, reduce our biases and prejudices.

3. It helps one become more open minded to various alternatives which may be much better.

4. It helps with our discipline/ work as we become more comprehensible, analyse and reason faster with good judgement.

5. Overall it helps mental stability, improves relationships as we can tolerate and understand people better if we can think critically.

So are you a critical thinker ?

If you can’t understand complexities, if your responses are either yes/ no or you view things as either black or white. If you are unwilling to challenge your pattern of belief with facts and evidences and you see your opinion as the only relevant one. If you respond to life passively or aggressively without assertiveness then you can’t be said to be a critical thinker. There will be limitations with your thought pattern.

Why go through life with so much limitations and distress? Remember as a man thinks so he is…! Change that thought pattern today and expand your horizon!

Speak to a therapist today.

#NoHealthWithoutMentalHealth

#ExpandYourHorizon.

#SayNoToLimitation.

Histronic Personality Disorder (HPD)

This post is to create awareness about other forms of mental disorders that can be diagnosed other than “psychosis”. The general layman ‘s believe is that one has to be saying strange things or start walking about naked before he/she can be diagnosed has having mental health issues. This is so not true!.

There are subtle forms of mental health issues that people relate to daily under disguise of various terms like..: He/she just have a different believe… He/she is just a “strong” personality…He/she is just “temperamental”. How then do you recognize when being different is a sign of “you need help”. Today we will share awareness on the signs of Histronic Personality Disorder.

A personality disorder is an enduring pattern of inner experience and behaviour that deviates from the culturally acceptable norms of the affected individual. The word “deviates” already indicating that it’s now “abnormal” which is why it is now termed a “disorder”. Otherwise an individual may just have features or traits of a particular personality but not necessarily a disorder since there is no “deviation”.

This “deviation” is seen in the following aspect of the affected individual ‘s life:

1. The cognition – thinking pattern.

2. The affect – the person s observed emotion.

3. Interpersonal functioning – relationships with others.

4. Impulse control/ reactions.

There are various types of personality traits/personality disorders, the focus today is on just one of them which is the Histronic personality disorder.

What then is Histronic Personality Disorder (HBP)? This is a mental health disorder characterized by a prevailing pattern of excess attention seeking behaviour, inappropriately seductive/provocative behaviour with an excessive need for approval. The characteristics/signs are highlighted below:

1. There is a high need for attention hence the need to create unnecessary drama.

2. Unnecessary need to make loud and inappropriate appearances.

3. Exaggerated emotions/behaviour which happens if they are ignored/ denied center of attention.

4. They are seen as “role players” either playing “victim card” or “princess/queen” (commoner in women actually).

5. They have difficulty achieving emotional intimacy in romantic/sexual relationships because they seek to control their partners through emotional manipulations.

6.Impaired same sex relationship because they see “new friends”/ even work colleagues as threats.

7. They fail to see their own personal situation realistically but instead dramatize and exaggerate difficulties .

8. This affects their ability to cope with loses/failures.

9. Affects the individual’s social/occupational/romantic life.

10. Eventually leads to alienation from friends/families who have to cope with excess demand for constant attention. If they are not given this attention they become upset and even depressed (weepy spells) just to get that attention at all cost.

An individual dealing with all these with no help or insight can degenerate further to become psychotic (a state where the individual looses touch with reality). It does not have to get to this point… Remember, help is readily available just be brave enough to seek/ask the right people. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO COPE WITH ALL THESE ALONE. #MentalHealthIssuesAreReal. #HelpIsAvailable. #SeeAShrinkToday.

First blog post

This is your very first post. Click the Edit link to modify or delete it, or start a new post. If you like, use this post to tell readers why you started this blog and what you plan to do with it.