First Psychology blog

Throughout your lifetime it’s likely you will be taken by surprise on several occasions and while sometimes surprises are good, other times they can be upsetting and traumatic. When we’re taken off guard by a sudden event, we can go into shock, and this can have major effects on both our body and mind. Some types of shock might be less alarming than others, for example, a sudden noise might frighten you or someone might bump into you on the street. But it’s the more concerning kinds of shock that can really send your head into a spin, such as an unexpected death of someone close to you or a serious accident. How does shock affect us? Negative types of shock that stem from traumatic situations can cause many different physical and emotional responses and you might experience some of the following effects: Increased heart rate Rapid breathing Anxiety Sense of fear Nausea Stomach problems Tight chest Stress According to Psychology Today , “The hallmark symptom of shock is feeling a surge ...

‘…Hope is the thing with feathers That perches in the soul, And sings the tune without the words, And never stops at all…’                        Emily Dickinson Hope is a complex concept that has interested people from many disciplines. Research suggests that having hope can impact the outcome of an event and this is supported by research on hope in the process of counselling/therapy. What is hope? The American Psychological Society, Dictionary of Psychology defines hope as ‘The expectation that one will have positive experiences or that a potentially threatening or negative situation will not materialise or will ultimately result in a favourable state of affairs’. How do we experience hope? Have you ever felt a strong sense of hope for a future goal or desire while also experiencing some degree of loss of hope or despair? If so, this may be because of the way we experience hope. We view it from different perspectives at the ...

Most of you will have experienced a breakup at some time in your life and whether the relationship was long or short term, it can be traumatic and upsetting if you were heavily invested in the person. Even if the breakup was amicable, you might need to seek closure before you can begin to heal and move on from the experience. What is closure? Although you might be searching for closure following a breakup, you might not know how this can be achieved to deal with your emotional trauma. So, what is closure? According to Very Well Mind , closure of a relationship is “having a sense of understanding, peace, and accepted finality of the relationship whether it’s ended because of loss, rejection, or growing apart.” In short, it allows you to come to terms with the breakup, work through your emotions and move on. Why do we need closure? When a relationship ends, it’s likely you will feel lots of negative emotions, which can impact your mental wellbeing if they aren’t managed properly. Some of...

One of the lesser-discussed influences on mental health is self-sabotage. Perhaps this is because people aren’t even aware they are doing it or you might not even know what it means. So, what is self-sabotage, and how can it affect your mental wellbeing? And perhaps, most importantly, what steps can you take to stop it? What is self-sabotage? Self-sabotage is a form of destructive behaviour which is aimed at yourself. This can relate to work, relationships and other areas of your personal life. You may do these things knowingly, or in many cases, without being aware you are doing it at all. Some examples of self-sabotage You apply for several jobs and obtain many interviews for roles you know you would enjoy but when the day of each interview arrives, you cancel. This could be a pattern that you know you repeat because you’d rather not attend an interview for a job you’d love than be disappointed by being unsuccessful. In a relationship that is going well you might do or say things th...

There’s nothing quite as comforting as having a friend to spend time with, share memories with, and speak to in good times and in bad. Although spending time with friends can be fun, there is much more to friendships than social interaction but why exactly are they so important for your mental health? What is a friend? A friend is someone you want to share good news with, talk to in times of trouble, and confide in with personal aspects of your life. However, while for some people making friends is easy, for others it can be difficult. A lack of friends can lead to feelings of loneliness and self-confidence and over time, it can cause depression. Good friends can help you feel supported and respected and can also prevent loneliness. Why can it be difficult to find friends? You may have had close friends and drifted apart because life took you in different directions. Life changes such as marriage, children or career can put a strain on friendships especially if your friend feels they d...