Category: In the Loop

Open relationships can be a great way to explore your sexuality and connect with others while maintaining a strong bond with your partner. But navigating the waters of an open relationship can be tricky, and communication is key. To ensure a successful open relationship, you need to be clear about your boundaries, actively communicate with your partner, and be willing to work through any challenges that arise. In this article, we’ll share some tips for making your open relationship a success, from setting ground rules to managing jealousy. Whether you’re considering opening up your relationship or you’re already in an open relationship, these tips will help you build a strong foundation and enjoy all the benefits that an open relationship has to offer. So, let’s dive in! Defining An Open Relationship Open relationships are non-monogamous relationships where partners have agreed to have sexual or romantic relationships with other people. This could mean anything from casual hookups to ongoing relationships, and the boundaries of the relationship are determined by the partners involved. It’s important to note that open relationships are not the same as cheating, as they involve open and honest communication between partners. Before entering into an open relationship, it’s… Read more »

Claustrophobia is a type of anxiety disorder that involves the fear of enclosed spaces. About 12.5% of the population have Claustrophobia, with the majority of them being females. It can be a debilitating condition, making it difficult for people to perform everyday activities. If you or someone you know suffers from claustrophobia, it’s important to understand the condition and learn how to manage it effectively. In this article, we’ll explore some of the best strategies for dealing with claustrophobia, from exposure therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy to relaxation techniques and medication. What is Claustrophobia? Claustrophobia is an anxiety disorder that involves an intense fear of being in enclosed or confined spaces. People with claustrophobia may feel trapped, suffocated, or unable to escape, even if the space is not actually small or enclosed. The condition can be triggered by a variety of situations, including elevators, airplanes, trains, buses, and even crowded rooms. The fear associated with claustrophobia can be overwhelming, leading to physical symptoms such as sweating, shaking, or shortness of breath. Some people with claustrophobia may also experience panic attacks, which can be particularly distressing. The condition can significantly impact a person’s quality of life, making it difficult to perform everyday… Read more »

Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy is a therapeutic practice with psychedelic substances. A single high-dose session, which is 20-30 mg/154.324 lbs. body weight, is common. But some trials are with a micro-dosage or a placebo-controlled method with noticeable somatic results. It is conducted by a highly trained and licensed therapist and typically involves ‘talk therapy’. This is being practiced in the West since the 1950s and is legal and quite medically safe. About 75% of people who enter any form of psychotherapy show benefits and are better off than 80% of those who do not receive the treatment. Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy also induces positive behavioral and psychological changes. It is helpful for conditions like depression, anxiety, PTSD and addictions. No wonder the therapy research got its first US government funding from NIH of $4 million in 50 years in 2021. Read on. Psychedelics and EMDR EMDR may be used to support psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. Studies found that 84% to 90% of single-trauma victims show no post-traumatic stress symptoms after just 90 minutes of sessions for 3 times. EMDR is the treatment of choice in a few cases when it comes to understanding the source of anxiety and ensuring relapse prevention. Using psychedelic assisted psychotherapy along… Read more »

A certain degree of anxiety is not necessarily bad. It helps us stay alert, motivates us, and makes us more energetic. But a perpetual state of concern and worry can affect your ability to live life to its fullest potential. Anxiety is a top mental disorder in the US affecting 40 million adults. The global prevalence of anxiety and depression further grew by a whopping 25% in the first year of COVID-19 alone. This had pushed 90% of the countries to include mental health and psychosocial support in their pandemic response plans. The good news is that EMDR therapy is highly efficient for anxiety. It is an integrated psychotherapy approach that targets and improves negative thoughts. This was initially used to ease post-traumatic stress disorder. It is growing in popularity and 7 in 10 studies found EMDR therapy to be more effective than trauma-focused cognitive solutions. See how the therapy is useful to curb anxiety. How Does EMDR Therapy Work? Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing is moving your eyes in a specific way by following the back-and-forth motion of a finger before your face. This is when you remember past traumatic events simultaneously. It is the treatment choice for different… Read more »

Out-of-control or compulsive sexual behavior is often called sex addiction, hypersexuality disorder, or simply hypersexuality. It involves too much preoccupation with sexual fantasies or sexual behavior and urges that are hard to control. Although the causes are unclear, the disorder may stem from an imbalance of natural brain chemicals, brain conditions, or changes in brain pathways. The results are distress and deterioration of health, relationships, job, and other aspects of life. But thankfully, there are healthy ways to address this disorder. Here is how to manage compulsive sexual behavior in 2023. Psychotherapy (Talk Therapy) It is one of the primary ways to manage hypersexuality. Here are some common types of psychotherapy: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): It helps in identifying negative and unhealthy behavior and beliefs and substituting them with adaptive coping methods. You learn ways to prevent yourself from easily accessing sexual content and make your behavior less private. Acceptance and commitment therapy: It’s a kind of CBT that focuses on the acceptance of urges and thoughts and committing to value-based actions in a committed way. Psychodynamic psychotherapy: It helps you become more aware of unconscious behaviors and thoughts, develop motivation with new insights, and resolve conflicts. These therapies are… Read more »

As we enter a new year, many of us are setting goals and resolutions for how we want to improve ourselves and our lives. One important area to focus on is our relationships. Relationships and their quality play an important role in determining your health and well-being. Great relationships make you happy, reduce stress, and encourage healthy behaviors. Social support is an important part of being human and so when social relationships break down or are damaged, they can have a significant impact on the mental health and well-being of a person, mention experts. To ensure that you have a healthy and happy life, you should not only build relationships but also nourish and nurture them on a continued basis. The adoption of certain habits can help you maintain great relationships and stay happy. Here are five habits to adopt in 2023 for great relationships: 1. Spending One-on-One Time with People You Care About Spending time with each other talking, sitting together, watching a movie, or having a meal together is an excellent habit that can help you build good relationships. It provides you with an opportunity to interact well and understand each other. Allocating a special time to be… Read more »

Holidays are typically known to bring happiness! But many are often overwhelmed by both internal and external stressors that the season brings. These are the added responsibilities that the festivities come with. A 2015 survey once found that 44% of people say that they are ‘somewhat’ stressed while another 18% reported that they are ‘very’ stressed during this time of the year. The main reasons were the pressure of: spending money on parties choosing appropriate gifts for all coordinating and organizing events trying to eat right and healthy. The brain’s prefrontal cortex enters a state of overdrive during the holidays that may decrease memory and cause the present cells to die. Your shoulders could tense up at the mere thought of the upcoming hustle and bustle. For instance, spending the whole day with your extended family can be quite taxing. The good news is that holiday blues are temporary. Yet look at a few ways to cope with this feeling in a structured and result-oriented way. Why Does Holiday Depression Occur? Studies found that 64% of people with an existing mental illness report that holidays worsen their condition. This happens since the ‘busy season’ is high on demands and emotions…. Read more »

The Family Counseling and Crisis Intervention Services industry revenue is $48.1 billion in 2022. The annualized market growth has been 2.9% since 2017. What does family crisis intervention mean? It is a therapy session where a ‘neutral mediator’ boosts communication and resolves conflicts between family members. They try to nurture a change in intimate relations and ease the issues that might otherwise affect your health and functioning. Most families experience disagreements and conflicts. A therapist can be the greatest resource for handling any concern and reducing distress. The idea is to make sure everyone gets heard, understands one another, and learns healthy methods of resolution. This way there are fewer chances of dysfunction, and your family is happy, healthy, and in good spirits. There is absolutely nothing wrong with seeking help instead of hesitating due to the stigma around therapy. Here’s when you may visit a counselor. When to Book a Session? Domestic violence grew worldwide during COVID shelter-in-place. There was an increase of between 20-68% cases. Globally, 1 in 3 women experienced sexual violence with a partner. If you are still undergoing abuse related, it is the right time to visit a therapist with your spouse and children. Look… Read more »

Chemistry brings intimacy and excitement between a couple. The emotional connection grows along with a lasting commitment. It helps with an active sex life too and is crucial for a happy and healthy marriage. But the dopamine level might fade eventually in a long-term relationship. It is normal to feel out of love with your partner at this point. You can go through stages of rough patches while things start to feed ‘dead’ or ‘boring’. This may cause infidelity or an extra-marital affair. It has been cited as a turning point in a deteriorating relationship and 59.6% of divorces occur for this reason. Separated individuals, when compared to their married counterparts, have higher incidents of depression, distress, and substance abuse. The good news is that you do not have to part ways if there is good compatibility. All you have to do is work consciously on your chemistry to make your bond more beautiful and intense. Here’s what to do. What is Couple Therapy? Issues with a romantic partner or spouse may leave us feeling crazy. This is when you may consider therapy to save the relation- ‘ship’. Couples on average wait for seven years after experiencing problems in their… Read more »

Did you know that as many as 28.8 million Americans are estimated to have an eating disorder once in their lifetime? So, if you feel you have an eating disorder, you’re not alone. The good news is that help is available. The National Center for Biotechnology Information says that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based treatment that is suitable for all forms of eating disorders. Eating unusually large amounts of food or excessively restricting food intake are both eating disorders and stem from attempts to deal with a deeper issue, which is why cognitive behavioral therapy is regarded as the most effective way to overcome them. Let’s first understand the signs of the two types of eating disorders. Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa Both Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa are caused by the fear of gaining weight. While Anorexia Nervosa makes a person restrict food, at times to the point of starvation, Bulimia Nervosa makes a person overeat and then purge it to avoid adding calories. Signs of Anorexia Nervosa Intense fear of weight gain Dramatic weight loss Repeatedly weighing oneself Preoccupation with calories and dieting Constipation Cold intolerance Abdominal pain Excessive exercising Difficulty concentrating Anemia Low thyroid levels… Read more »