Απεικονίσεις οθόνης από το Youtube*...
Απεικονίσεις οθόνης από το Youtube*...
If someone in your life has a pattern of playing the victim, it may feel confusing and frustrating. You’re not alone and there are ways you can cope. Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) is a complex mental health condition, often linked with a "victim mentality". While it’s possible for a person with NPD to do this consciously to manipulate others, it often goes deeper than that.
Someone may firmly believe that they’re the victim and operate from that place, even when the evidence suggests otherwise. With a few expert-backed strategies, it’s possible to navigate this difficult terrain. In part, it’s how people with narcissistic patterns view interpersonal interactions. Research from 2018 suggests that a sense of victimhood or entitlement is a common trait of NPD.
Narcissistic defenses (like all defenses) operate unconsciously, says Dr. Ramani Durvasula, a clinical psychologist based in Los Angeles and author of two books on narcissism.
A 2020 study suggests that people who live with NPD often carry a sense of victimhood. "Victimhood is a form of blame-shifting", Durvasula says. "It allows the ego to remain intact, to blame the world, and in some cases to get validation perhaps from other aggrieved people, or people who want to rescue them".
It may be helpful to think of the "victim card" as a defense mechanism to help someone get their needs met. A victim stance can help someone: acquire resources, confuse who is at fault, garner sympathy from others, maintain a sense of control, and prevent someone from leaving.
There are many ways that victimhood can play out in relationships. One of the symptoms of NPD is a belief that someone is superior to others and should be given different or special treatment. In victim mode, says Durvasula, this can sound like, "The reason things haven’t worked out for me is that I wasn’t born with a trust fund, everyone else has connections, and I have to make things work on my own".
The DARVO strategy can muddle the details of an interaction. It works like this: D: deny the behavior, A: attack you, R: reverse, V: victim and O: offender. For example, a spouse may deny that kissing counts as cheating (D), feel hurt by your unwarranted jealousy (A), and insist that you apologize (RVO).
When faced with difficulties, some people project their emotions onto others. For example, a spouse may accuse you of wanting to leave when they’re actually the one thinking of leaving. Seeing their distress, you may find yourself apologizing and making amends, believing you are somehow in the wrong.
Someone with NPD may deny or minimize behaviors, leaving you questioning your sense of reality. This is known as gaslighting. This could sound like: "It’s your fault I did this". "You’re the one who started it". "I didn’t do it. What’s wrong with you"? "You knew this when you married me"
To preserve their reputation and gain sympathy from others, someone may talk badly about you or accuse you of things you didn’t do. For example, a boss may insist that they came up with a concept first and that you’re trying to steal their idea.
It may take some practice, but it’s possible to empower yourself in these situations. If possible, try to avoid the temptation to go down the rabbit hole of defending yourself, says Durvasula. "They’re likely accusing you of something that isn’t true, so there’s no point", she says. Instead, try to detach from the situation and hold onto your reality. "Just because someone else tells you the grass is purple doesn’t make it so, and you don’t have to defend the green grass that is there", she explains.
When someone consistently takes on the victim role and refuses to take accountability for their actions, it’s not uncommon to feel like you’re imagining things, says Sybil Cummin, a licensed professional counselor in Arvada, Colorado.
"If you’re starting to doubt your own experiences because of the responses you’re getting, start journaling your experiences. Document or note any patterns", she says. You may find it helpful to set boundaries around what behaviors you will tolerate, Cummin explains. For example, she says this can sound like: "Your statement about X doesn’t fit the facts of what happened". "Your previous experiences don’t give you permission to treat me this way". "It’s clear that we’ve reached an impasse of opinion". "If they become angry about your boundaries or refuse to respect them, it’s likely that you’ll need to start changing your level of contact with them to ensure your mental health and self-worth can remain intact", she says.
In essence, going "grey rock" means becoming as neutral as possible. The purpose is to protect your emotional well-being, says Dr. Nakpangi Thomas, a licensed professional counselor in Detroit. "It involves only necessary contact and the removal of your emotions", she explains. "You only provide someone with information that’s essential". Thomas outlines four basic steps you can try, including: avoiding small talk and interactions, keeping interactions short, giving brief answers, and communicating using only the facts.
If this relationship is interfering with your emotional well-being — or it’s toxic, abusive, or dangerous — it may be time to consider making an exit plan and ceasing contact. "Battling someone with NPD may be tiring, and no one wins", says Thomas. "In some cases, the best way to respond is no-contact. This includes calls, texts, social media, and events. Involving the authorities may be necessary to obtain an order of protection".
People with NPD often have a sense of victimhood. This can present you with many challenges, but it’s possible to cope. If possible, try to document patterns, set healthy boundaries, and limit your interactions. Some useful books may include:
Πηγή: https://psychcentral.com/health/narcissist-delusion
From childhood visits to the zoo to viral videos of "smiling" dolphins in tanks, we’re taught to believe animals in captivity are happy, safe, and well cared for. But behind the bars and beyond the glass is a very different story -one where animals are suffering mentally and emotionally. This suffering has a name: zoochosis.
Zoochosis (zoo + psychosis)** is a psychological condition that affects wild animals held in captivity, leading to repetitive, compulsive behaviors not seen in the wild. These behaviors -sometimes called stereotypical behavior- include pacing, swaying, head-bobbing, feather plucking, bar-biting, and even self-mutilation. Zoochosis isn’t just a quirky habit. It’s a glaring red flag that an animal is under extreme stress and emotional distress.
Imagine living your entire life in a space the size of your bedroom, with nothing to stimulate your mind or body. No freedom to explore, no ability to form natural social groups, no way to express your instincts. That’s the reality for animals in roadside zoos, aquariums, and even some of the most "accredited" facilities, and zoochosis is their cry for help.
Sadly, zoochosis can affect nearly every species in captivity. From polar bears who pace endlessly in small enclosures, to great apes who rock back and forth while holding themselves, the signs are clear and heartbreaking. Even giraffes, big cats, wolves, and reptiles have all displayed some form of stereotypic behavior associated with zoochosis.
Zoochosis is a condition of captivity. Wild animals do not display the stereotypic, compulsive behaviors we see in zoos and aquariums. In the wild, animals engage in complex social interactions, roam vast territories, hunt or forage for food, and choose when and how they rest, play, or raise their young. Zoochosis is a human-made issue, born from our decision to confine wild animals for entertainment, "education" or profit.
Elephants are among the most intelligent, emotional, and socially complex animals on the planet. In the wild, they roam up to 30 miles a day, form deep family bonds, and grieve their dead. In captivity, they’re often kept in small enclosures, isolated or with incompatible companions, and forced to endure hard surfaces that harm their feet and joints. The result? Pacing, head-bobbing, repetitive trunk swaying, and aggression -all signs of zoochosis. These are not "cute" behaviors. They are desperate coping mechanisms. And no, even "large" zoo exhibits cannot replicate the freedom and enrichment of the wild.
Orcas, dolphins, and other marine mammals are among the worst victims of captivity -and some of the most visibly impacted by zoochosis. In the wild, orcas swim up to 100 miles a day, communicate using complex vocalizations, and live in tight-knit pods with lifelong bonds. In captivity, they circle tanks the size of "bathtubs", float listlessly at the surface, and exhibit behaviors like repetitive swimming patterns, jaw-clicking, and self-harm. Some even gnaw on the sides of their tanks until their teeth are ground down to the pulp. This isn’t conservation -it’s cruelty.
Birds, especially parrots, are extremely intelligent and social. They fly miles daily in the wild, solve puzzles, and form strong bonds with their flock. In captivity (especially in small cages with little enrichment) they often suffer from feather plucking, repetitive vocalizations, and self-mutilation. What’s worse is that these behaviors are often misunderstood or dismissed. A plucked parrot is not being "naughty" or "quirky". They’re trying to tell us something’s wrong, and we need to listen.
Zoochosis is a symptom of a system that values entertainment over ethics, and profit over animal protection, but we have the power to change that. We can choose to support true sanctuaries over zoos, advocate for legislation that bans wild animal captivity, and educate others about what’s really happening behind the scenes. Animals don’t exist for our amusement. They belong in the wild, where they can be who they were meant to be.
Join us in creating a world where wild animals stay wild because every cage, every tank, and every enclosure is one too many.
**ζωο(λογικός κήπος) + ψύχωση = ζωόχωση
Extension: Το Σύνθετο Τραύμα (Complex Trauma) παράγεται όταν ο τραυματισμός είναι παρατεταμένος ή/και επαναλαμβανόμενος, και η αντιμετώπιση ή η διαφυγή από αυτόν (Fight or Flight) είναι αδύνατη. Έτσι, από την σκοπιά της "Δια-ειδικής" Ψυχολογίας (Trans-Species Psychology), θα μπορούσε να θεωρηθεί ότι η ζωόχωση είναι το αποτέλεσμα μη διαχειρίσιμης Σύνθετης Διαταραχής Μετατραυματικού Στρες (Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder).
The term ‘Zoochosis‘ was first coined in 1992 by Born Free’s co-founder, the late Bill Travers MBE, to describe stereotypic behaviours in captive wild animals. Stereotypic behaviours are repetitive, unvarying, apparently functionless, and are not seen in free living wild animals. Examples include pacing, swaying, head-bobbing, bar-biting, over-grooming or excessive licking. Such behaviours are thought to result from the inability of captive animals to effectively express natural behaviours and activities. The zoo environment is typically significantly smaller and less complex than the environment the animals have evolved to live in, and is devoid of both physical and social species-specific behavioural opportunities such as hunting, walking or swimming for miles and choosing who to mate and socialise with. Zoochosis has been recorded in a wide range of species, but seems to be particularly common in giraffes, elephants, bears, big cats, apes and orcas. Whilst gathering evidence for the 1993 Zoochotic Report Film*, Bill Travers witnessed animals displaying some form of abnormal behaviour in every one of over 100 zoos he visited. [Is zoochosis real? https://www.bornfree.org.uk/news/is-zoochosis-real/ (6/02/24)]
Trans-species psychology (TSP) was established by Dr. Gay A. Bradshaw, an ecologist and psychologist who saw the need to integrate the sciences of neurology, psychology and ethology to create a more accurate scientific understanding of the commonalities between human and nonhuman animals in cognition (thinking) and emotion (feelings). It is a relatively new field that examines the similarities and differences in the emotional, cognitive and social lives of human and non-human animals. It challenges the traditional view of humans as separate from other animals and seeks to understand the interconnectedness of all species. This interdisciplinary field draws from neuroscience, psychology, evolutionary biology, and ethology to study the similarities and differences in how animals think, feel, and behave [...]
The prefix "trans" is a Latin noun meaning "across" or "beyond", and it is used to describe the comparability of brain, mind, and behavior across animal species. Τhe "trans" affixed to psychology "re-embeds humans within the larger matrix of the animal kingdom by erasing the ‘and’ between humans and animals that has been used to demarcate and reinforce the false notion that humans are substantively different cognitively and emotionally from other species.[https://www.oneheartwild.org/trans-species-psychology.html]
Trans-species psycholog is based on research in neuroscience, psychology, and evolutionary biology that shows non-human and human animals have similar brains, and therefore, have similar emotions, desire for free will, and ability to think. They, like us, can love, possess individuality, grieve, communicate, socialize, experience consciousness and culture, suffer, and empathize. [https://lesley.edu/article/inside-the-animal-mind-with-gay-bradshaw]
* https://youtu.be/Jhmv8Ya5jZE
Από την συλλογή "Όλα τα αδέσποτα γατιά του ονείρου μου"
Μικρή Άρκτος (2021)
Πηγή: https://poets.gr [Fb]
Παρουσίαση θέματος από την Κύπρια ψυχολόγο, συγγραφέα και YouTuber Θέκλα Πετρίδου at https://youtu.be/LabZc3i5UBY
Image at https://www.thewellnesscorner.com/blog/trauma-bonding
Σχετικοί σύνδεσμοι:
The veterinary profession, often lauded for its compassion and dedication to the well-being of animals, harbors a profoundly unsettling and lesser-known problem: An alarmingly high rate of suicide among its practitioners. Despite their tireless commitment to animals' health and happiness, veterinarians struggle with a heavy emotional burden that can culminate in tragic outcomes. There are multifaceted factors contributing to the elevated risk of suicide in veterinarians, such as the unique stressors they encounter. There are potential solutions to address this critical issue.
It is a grim reality that veterinarians face a significantly higher risk of suicide compared to the general population and even other healthcare professionals. According to a study published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA) in 2019, veterinarians in the United States are three to five times more likely to die by suicide than the general population. Approximately 80 percent of all veterinarians suffer from clinical depression at some point, and about 50 percent report feeling unhappy in their careers. These statistics paint a bleak picture that calls for a profound examination of the underlying factors fueling this troubling trend.
Various stressors are unique to veterinary medicine that make vets more vulnerable. These include the emotional toll, debt and financial pressures, long work hours, high expectations and perfectionism, cyberbullying, and compassion fatigue.
Veterinarians are subjected to a unique set of emotional stressors due to their daily interactions with animals in distress and pet owners grappling with the agony of seeing their beloved companions suffer. Euthanasia, in particular, can be a heart-wrenching responsibility, as veterinarians often have to make difficult decisions about ending an animal's life, navigating the fine line between compassion and suffering. This continuous exposure to pain and suffering can gradually erode their mental well-being.
The cost of veterinary education can be staggering, leaving many recent graduates buried under a mountain of student loan debt. This financial burden can contribute to chronic stress, anxiety, and depression, making it difficult for them to manage their personal and professional lives effectively. The daunting prospect of repaying loans can become a relentless source of anxiety, overshadowing their passion for animal care. In addition, veterinarians frequently work long and irregular hours, especially in emergency and critical care settings where they are often on call. This demanding schedule can lead to burnout, impairing their ability to maintain a healthy work-life balance and engage in activities that recharge their spirits.
The veterinary profession imposes high standards on its practitioners, who are responsible for diagnosing and treating animals precisely. The fear of making a mistake or failing to provide optimal care can foster feelings of inadequacy and perfectionism, which can be detrimental to their mental health. Veterinarians enter the profession to save animals, and yet they cannot always prevent illness or death. This perpetual pursuit of perfection can create a sense of futility and hopelessness.
The rise of online rating programs like Yelp and Google may further lower their sense of self-worth. When clients are unhappy with a vet (even if they have tried their best), the vet becomes vulnerable to cyberbullying. Cyberbullying can have significant emotional and psychological effects on veterinarians. Receiving hurtful or derogatory messages and poor ratings (or death threats) online can lead to anxiety, depression, and stress. Veterinarians may feel overwhelmed by the constant negativity.
Cyberbullying can damage a veterinarian's professional reputation. False or misleading information can spread quickly, making it challenging to maintain trust with clients and colleagues and difficult to trust their judgment. Veterinarians may feel further isolated and unsupported when dealing with online harassment. The fear of additional cyberbullying may deter them from seeking help or discussing their experiences with peers.
Finally veterinarians are also susceptible to compassion fatigue, a state of emotional exhaustion that results from prolonged exposure to the suffering of others, both animals and their human caregivers. Over time, this can manifest as a diminished capacity to empathize with the pain of those they serve, leading to a disconnect that further complicates their mental health challenges.
As stated, veterinarians enter the field to save animals and often cannot, due to medical limitations or the financial restraints of the pet's human guardian. A vet must become very comfortable with ending lives through euthanasia and the combination of knowledge of how to administer euthanasia drugs. Along with access to lethal means and familiarity with ending lives, make a dangerous combination that may cause some veterinarians to seek suicide as a final act.
While the need for mental health support within the veterinary profession is evident, several formidable barriers prevent veterinarians from seeking the required assistance. The stigma surrounding mental health issues persists in many professions, including veterinary medicine. Veterinarians may fear judgment or professional repercussions if they admit to struggling with their mental health. This societal stigma contributes to a culture of silence and suffering.
Access to mental health resources tailored explicitly to veterinarians is limited in many regions. This scarcity of support can discourage individuals from seeking help and force them to grapple with their emotional turmoil in isolation. The veterinary profession frequently contends with understaffing issues, more now than ever, making it challenging for veterinarians to take time off for self-care or seek therapy. This reluctance to step away from work only exacerbates their mental health challenges, perpetuating a vicious cycle of stress and exhaustion. High client expectations and clients who attempt to haggle for the price of veterinary services contribute to these challenges.
There are also few to no discussions of self-care or mental health vulnerabilities in veterinary schools. Since mentors or peers do not normalize their experiences, veterinarians often perceive seeking mental health support as a sign of weakness, believing that they should be capable of managing the emotional demands of their profession independently. This misguided notion can prevent them from reaching out for help when they need it most.
The first step in addressing the high rate of suicide among veterinarians is to raise awareness about the mental health challenges they face. Educational programs and workshops can play a pivotal role in reducing stigma and fostering open dialogues about mental well-being within the veterinary community and beyond.
Efforts should be made to provide easy access to mental health services tailored to the specific needs of veterinarians. Telehealth options can be particularly beneficial for those in remote areas or with demanding schedules, ensuring they can access support when necessary. Initiatives that address the financial burden of veterinary education, such as loan forgiveness programs or scholarships, can alleviate some of the stress associated with student loan debt, giving veterinarians greater financial security and peace of mind.
Currently, the average salary for a veterinarian is $80,000, while many hold student loans of well over $200,000. Veterinarians often charge as little as possible for services to make them accessible to clients, but clients still hag haggle over the prices since we are often unaware of the back-end cost to the vet. If more pet parents had health insurance, this would alleviate the financial stress for veterinarians.
Veterinary clinics and hospitals can significantly contribute to their staff's mental well-being by offering flexible work hours, encouraging time off, and cultivating a positive work environment that prioritizes the mental health of their employees. A veterinary social worker at the hospital is a rarity but a necessity since they can help support the mental health of clients and staff. Finally, establishing peer support groups within the veterinary community can provide veterinarians with a safe and empathetic space to share their experiences, seek advice, and find emotional support from colleagues who understand their unique challenges.
The high rate of suicide among veterinarians is a harrowing crisis that demands immediate attention and collective action. While the veterinary profession is celebrated for its dedication to the welfare of animals, it is equally vital to acknowledge and address the profound emotional toll it exacts on its practitioners. By raising awareness, reducing stigma, and implementing supportive measures that empower veterinarians to seek help when needed, we can work toward a future where veterinarians can personally and professionally thrive. This can ensure that they continue to provide the care and compassion animals deserve without sacrificing their well-being. The silent suffering of veterinarians must be met with compassion, understanding, and effective solutions to prevent further tragedy.
Note: Γιατί οι κτηνίατροι αυτοκτονούν συχνά;
Σήμερα*, 6/02/25, θέλω να μοιραστώ:
Ι. Λίγους στίχους από ένα τραγούδι
https://youtu.be/qYYpQlZJw2E?si=0s1rlzmACaNmKVc
https://youtu.be/7dki-s0ReC0?si=TR71Gs8ct6NvnV8G
ΙΙΙ. Μια φωτογραφία από μια εποχή που νοσταλγώ (2008)
**"Ταυτισμένη εν πολλοίς με τον αυτόνομο κόσμο που στήθηκε και πλαισίωσε την ραδιοφωνική εκπομπή της «Λιλιπούπολης», εισέρχεται σ’ ένα σύμπαν παραμυθικό, με ξεκάθαρες, ωστόσο, αναφορές στην καθημερινότητα και τον υπαρκτό «κόσμο» των μεγάλων. Μέσα από φαινομενικά αθώα παιδικά τραγούδια, διέρχονται ζητήματα πολιτικής και κοινωνικής οργάνωσης και χρόνιων ελληνικών παθογενειών, ανθρώπινων σχέσεων, ανταγωνισμών ισχύος, χαμένων ονείρων και οραμάτων, πρώτων ερωτικών σκιρτημάτων, και υπαρξιακών αναζητήσεων.
Η Κριεζή δομεί, ήδη από τη «Λιλιπούπολη», ένα ιδιόμορφο λεκτικό, με την κυριαρχία των χρωμάτων, των υποκοριστικών, των καθημερινών αντικειμένων που εξυψώνονται καλλιτεχνικά, με εμφανή πρόθεση να εξοπλίσει τη νεότερη γενιά με κοινωνική ευαισθησία και προσωπική αξιοπρέπεια, όπλα και εφόδια για τα χρόνια που έπονται στη ζωή τους, όταν πια η κυριαρχία του παραμυθικού στοιχείου ολοένα και θα βαίνει φθίνουσα", γράφει ο φιλόλογος και συγγραφέας Θάνος Γιαννούδης.
Και συνεχίζει: "Η Μαριανίνα Κριεζή, δόμησε έναν κόσμο ξεκάθαρα μεταμοντέρνο, όχι όμως στενά ατομοκεντρικό, μια πραγματικότητα που πάλλεται ανάμεσα σ’ έναν ιδιότυπα φωτισμένο μαγικό ρεαλισμό και στη φυγή προς το παραμύθι ως το μοναδικό χρονότοπο που καθίσταται ικανός να αποτελέσει αντίβαρο στη σκληρότητα των καιρών και των ανθρώπινων σχέσεων.
Οι παράλληλοι κόσμοι που δομεί, είτε παίρνουν τη μορφή της φανταστικής κοινότητας που διέπεται από τους πολύχρωμους κανόνες της είτε αφορούν τη διαφορετική χρωματοθεσία εντός των ρεαλιστικών ανθρώπινων σχέσεων, απέκτησαν εντέλει τέτοια λαϊκή απήχηση εξαιτίας ακριβώς αυτής της αυθεντικότητάς τους, της απλότητας και ρεαλιστικότητας του λεκτικού, καθώς και της χρησιμοποίησης καθημερινών, ακόμα και χθαμαλών λέξεων που φωτίζονται διαφορετικά, οδηγώντας συνεκδοχικά σε μια εναλλακτική αντιμετώπιση του άλγους της επιβίωσης.
Οι φανταστικοί κόσμοι της καθίστανται οικείοι και προσβάσιμοι, μιλούν στις καθημερινές εμπειρίες και εκφράζουν τα όνειρα δεκάδων εγκλωβισμένων στην μετανεωτερική ατομικότητα μοναχικών υπάρξεων".