Defining Behavioural Craving Behavioural craving refers to the intense, subjective urge or desire to engage in a specific non-substance-related activity. Unlike traditional definitions of craving which historically centered on psychoactive substances, behavioural craving extends this construct to compulsive activities such as gambling, excessive internet use, gaming, compulsive shopping, and hypersexual behavior. This phenomenon is characterized […]
Benefit Finding in People with Mental Disorders Introduction to Benefit Finding and Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG) Benefit finding, a construct initially studied extensively in the context of physical illness and major life stressors, refers to the process by which individuals recognize positive changes or outcomes resulting from adversity. This psychological phenomenon involves a cognitive reframing where […]
Introduction to Outcome Expectancies in Pharmacology The concept of outcome expectancies forms a foundational pillar within cognitive psychology, asserting that an individual’s anticipation of future events or consequences significantly influences their current behavior and subjective experience. In the realm of pharmacology, particularly concerning psychoactive medications such as benzodiazepines, outcome expectancies transcend mere cognitive bias; they […]
1. Introduction to Bereavement and Grief Bereavement, fundamentally defined as the state of having suffered a loss, is a universal human experience intricately linked to attachment and separation. It is distinct from grief, which represents the internal, subjective, and often turbulent emotional response to that loss, and mourning, which encompasses the culturally prescribed rituals and […]
Introduction and Definition of Bereavement Dependency Bereavement dependency, often referred to within the broader context of complicated or prolonged grief, represents a specific and intense psychological reliance on the deceased individual, persisting long after the normative period of mourning has subsided. This concept moves beyond typical grief reactions, which involve acute pain, sadness, and yearning, […]
Characteristics of the Deceased and the Loss Event The nature of the person lost and the significance they held in the survivor’s life represent primary determinants influencing the trajectory and severity of the bereavement process. When the deceased individual occupied a central, irreplaceable role—such as a spouse, a child, or a primary caregiver—the resulting void […]
Bereavement Coping Strategies The experience of bereavement, stemming from the profound loss of a significant person, represents one of the most stressful and transformative events in the human experience. Coping strategies employed during this period are critical determinants of long-term psychological adjustment and overall well-being. Bereavement is not merely an emotional reaction; it encompasses a […]
The Foundational Role of Bibliotherapy Assessment The systematic assessment process constitutes the cornerstone of effective and ethical bibliotherapy, ensuring that the intervention is not only appropriate but also maximally beneficial for the client. Assessment is far more than a simple intake procedure; it is a comprehensive, multi-layered evaluation designed to determine the client’s readiness, identify […]
Introduction to Binge Eating Disorder Binge Eating Disorder (BED) is recognized as the most common eating disorder in the United States, yet its formal classification as a distinct diagnostic entity within the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5), only solidified relatively recently. Prior to this inclusion in 2013, patterns of recurrent […]